Is it Tone-Policing?
We all love an I-statement. Especially when something important is coming up in communication for others or ourselves in a personally or emotionally crispy way.
Recently, I noticed the unwritten expectation in group chat rooms that all-caps emphasis was to be avoided, and it was presented in a rule-like manner. I tried looking for written chatroom rules on this but, maybe by mistake, didn't notice any.
What are your thoughts on a situation like this? What steps can we take to manage and support positive communication instead of police tone and expression?
Hiya @JaiMaa, I hear you.
It can be quite upsetting when rules are made aware in a harsher way. Not everyone is aware of all the rules (written or non-written), but it helps everyone to be polite and kind, while expressing anything at all.
It's a fairly common "non-written" guideline for chatrooms, specifically, to not use all-caps as it might come across as text-shouting, and may be triggering for some.
The no-caps rule isn't very *visible* in the chatroom rules, but there's the detailed member chatroom rules linked now, the doc here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1X-5Hy0PrfD2dciQmS9kavBQE1NOdpawRaa6s9lqYdls/edit#heading=h.k8mtwth3yfnl, there's a mention of this rule, and why it's best avoided! (This says "for member rooms", but there's a similar one linked for listener rooms also, and mentions the same thing about caps)^^
You can also use this form (clickable) to review any mods, room supporters anytime!
And/ or reach out to the chatroom leaders, if you'd like to discuss any ideas/ share any concerns, etc. @ASilentObserver would be great for it, being the admin oversight for all things- chatrooms!
In general now, if you're asking for everyone's personal opinion, I feel, being respectful, understanding and patient helps, in driving a positive conversation and supporting the morale of any chatroom. And ofcourse, kindness is always the key. ❤
@Sunisshiningandsoareyou
Totally familiar with reasoning behind no all-caps. I'm grateful for your response!
I'm interested in some more critical thinking about where the venn diagram lands in overlap between what triggers some, and what suppresses and oppresses others, like in the case of actual tone-policing. In community, not every trigger can be avoided, and maybe some triggers can arise and give way to great moments of collective growth, and transformation of rules written and unwritten to include more expression and vibrancy in the world, as well as liberation and understanding no matter what size someone's letters are, LOL
