"Engaging in Conflict" warning for mod hate
Do you think the warning "Engaging in Conflict" would be better used compared to "Unsupportive" when it comes to people hating on mods? It says that it's for people not following rules but they are also technically trying to encourage a conflict with you by being nasty or calling you out on everything. Some of these people are trying to get a reaction out of you by saying you're useless or saying how unfair you are. I'm sure mods have come across this. I don't mean it for when people go "oh great, a mod", but when they're trying to incite anger in you or to get a reaction - it's usually obvious.
I don't ever use that warning either - I don't know when to use it.
Thoughts?
This is a good question and I'm glad you asked it. I probably will always avoid this because I just feel it is such a grey area for me. I'm at the point where I literally screenshot everything now.
Some people are very crafty and even today I was outsmarted and roped into a situation I should have known better to be more distant and patient with -- so the point comes up where I have no idea, in this particular situation, when someone is simply being challenging versus simply being argumentative to instigate attention; using such a warning may need justifying, but I think whomever reviews mod abuse reports should clarify this!
I use it quite a bit with combative members because I use the unsupportive warning specifically for personal attacks or graphic language.
So when someone gives me attitude but doesn't fit in to either category of personal attack nor graphic language, then the engaging in conflict call is appropriate. The conflict can be either as a problem with a fellow member or with the moderator.
Example 1: two members are in heated discussion and are told verbally to drop it. One member does and the other one does not and opts to make snide comments and veiled personal attacks.
In the Relationship Support context it can be something like "well I think all cheaters are bad people" (and even worse) which without context is an opinion and I don't censor disagreeing opinions.
Example 2: a member gets fiesty with me as a moderator. I tell the member to not engage in personal attacks or use unsupportive language. If they cannot adhere then I suggest that they mute the member or use another chatroom so as to avoid conflict.
"Aren't you doing that to me mod? You're being unsupportive"
"Shouldn't you be going to a different room?" - warning
"Oh the big bad mod" - warning and subsequent mute
Hope this helps!
Thanks, that's given me clarity. :)
@AdVictoriam
My honest opinion is all of this is subjective and some of these answers are disturbing.
@Fear333
I'm simply asking which warning to use so I can do my job correctly and I don't find anything in the answers to be disturbing. Could you expand?
@SilentSerenityy @Ej @Advictoriam @Fear333
I don't automatically warn when members/guests are "mod hating" because I feel that everyone deserves an outlet. I will usually let it go for one or two comments then I will verbally request that the room move on to a new topic. If I'm interrupting a high emotion situation, I will often ask a second time and say something like: "Hey, everyone, again, can we please move on? I don't want to have to start warning." Most of the time, people do move on. If they don't, I'll warn. Just my two cents.