# Does this diserve a warning?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-diserve-a-warning/816056>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [June 13, 2018, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-diserve-a-warning/816056 "2018-06-13T22:47:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 4

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-diserve-a-warning/816056/61 "2018-06-14T14:11:21Z")

</div>

I choose to leave out “because.” because his error is obvious in view of the OP’s request. Being accommodating is not being insulting.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Dead\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Dead\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dead_Cat)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-diserve-a-warning/816056/62 "2018-06-14T14:46:38Z")

</div>

> [@watchwolf49](#):
>
> I think everyone is avoiding **John Mace’s** point … this comment in question was made very early in the thread, before the **General Question** had be given its **Factual Answer** … that’s a major no-no and will bring a moderator crashing down every time … that’s note-able, plus it’s a personal insult, two notes makes a warning …
> 
> Better wording and later in the thread and I think the comment in question gets a pass … just a little deflection off the person and this is fine … insult the post, not the poster … and _always_ wait until the question is answered …

The question had been adequately answered by the two posts preceding the joke/insult, IMO. But we’re all splitting hairs here really, I don’t think there is much fundamental disagreement. I am assuming from the OP’s posting history that he has the intelligence to learn from this and move on. I thought it was funny but it wouldn’t be the first time I thought something funny that others thought offensive.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Ed\_Zotti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/fbc32d/32.png) [@Ed\_Zotti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ed_Zotti)\
**Post date:** [June 14, 2018, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-diserve-a-warning/816056/63 "2018-06-14T14:54:44Z")

</div>

This topic has been thoroughly aired. A couple final remarks and then I’m closing this thread:

1. To restate what has already been said, **there is no joke exception to the no-insults rule.** This rule was [clearly stated](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=7697044&postcount=10) many years ago, precisely to avoid the type of complaint seen in this thread. We do not want to get into hair splitting about whether something is a joke in the form of an insult or an insult in the form of a joke. I say again: Insults directed at other users outside the Pit, even in jest, are a violation of our rules and subject to warning or other action as we deem appropriate.

2. We do not have a zero tolerance policy regarding rule violations. Receiving a warning is just that: a warning. It does not mean you are on the verge of getting banned. Banning of long-time users is relatively rare and typically occurs only after (a) they have received multiple warnings and sometimes suspensions, and (b) the staff has discussed the matter and reached a consensus. All such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. To be clear, warnings are meant to be taken seriously, but they’re not the kiss of death.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-this-diserve-a-warning/816056.md?page=3)