I like to believe that when I correct mistakes that I’m doing it for the other persons benefit, to increase knowledge and in general to fight ignorance in society at large.
I also know that I’m usually doing it to hear myself talk and let them know that I’m better than they are. sigh
>I see it as unneccessarily anal, snotty, and obnoxious
It’s “unnecessarily”.
I do it for both reasons. They learn and do not perpetuate incorrect information in the future, and that saves me the burden of having to do it several times to the people who get the incorrect information that I didn’t trouble myself to debunk previously.
It’s a win-win for everybody.
Well, you made a mistake; therefore, you fail, and are worthy of naught but derision. Your average responsible people do not experience occasional failure in their responsibilities, “occasional” being defined in this case as “once, as far as we know”. In a civilized society, it is expected that, should someone fall below this standard, they will be properly and condescendingly chastised into compliance with the established code of day-to-day perfection.
Furthermore, as you ought well to know by now, performing an act of kindness for a stranger grants one an immediate moral right – nay, duty – to be an imperious ass about it.
I think some people need to reread the thread, and think not only about the reasoning behind a given correction, but also the method.
I dislike the incorrect use of grammar where it is through laziness or intentional. If a person is using a second language it doesn’t bother me.
I did get burned in a recent thread for suggesting a poster buy a book on grammar (my remark was somewhat tongue in cheek - but the usual suspects felt obliged to point out my lack of manners).
Only one time? I find that hard to believe.
I do not understand this. Maybe I am wrong and of course you are free to correct me but is it not more of a pain to slap a collar on your dog every single time you plan on taking it out of the house than to just leave the collar on at all times?
I can understand a dog bolting out the door, breaking the chain, jumping the fence etc.
I don’t understand not having a collar on it.
I hope you do not still have that neighbor nor that dog. If so I see a trip to the pound in your future and I hope you get there in time.
Sorry for the hijack.
On topic…
Am I the only person that actually requests that another “red pen” me?
I am not the best at grammar nor spelling. I use spell check a lot but at work there were times I have asked my boss to give something a glance over before I sent it out. My old boss was very good at it and respected the fact that you requested something to be double checked.
Now my new boss is not so conscientious but I have another employee that I can rely on if I really need it.
I swear that is the fastest five minutes on earth.
Sorry for the double post. After review I guess I was not really on topic…
I don’t feel the need to correct people to the most part. There are subjects I feel strongly about. In those cases then I will, if I can do it gently enough, correct someone.
Most of the time I do it in a “Oh I read this or heard different” statement. Just enough to let them second guess their information.
It is not for my benefit. It is for the benefit of the next person that they will speak to about the subject. Hopefully they did more research.
What part don’t you get? You’re a pet owner, right? That’s stipulated. And, by your own admission, you negligently allowed it to run free. That’s irresponsible.
It’s your fault the dog got out. If he does not have a reliable “stay” or “come” command, he should not be allowed near an open door. He could get out and be difficult or impossible to retrieve. He could get run over by a car. Or stolen. Or get in a fight with another dog. All bad outcomes flowing from your negligence. I’d say “irresponsible” is putting it lightly.
eye twitch
You’re right. I was thinking of everyday conversations and correspondence.
So, was it for her benefit, or for yours?
Is your admonition for lobstermobster’s benefit, or for yours?
I used to correct people just as a matter of course, knowing that I would want to be corrected. I quickly realized that most people do not want to be corrected.
I have recently come to the belief that the world is full of information and any adult who doesn’t know something which he or she should know does not want to know it.