# He looked at me funny. To the pit!!! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 30, 2002, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302 "2002-08-30T15:02:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/1 "2002-08-30T15:02:18Z")
I think we rely on the BBQ Pit to solve too many of our problems from other threads. At the very least, I see the pit as a crutch for those too lazy or too insecure to actually confront the offender within the original debate. I have seen numerous times where person X said something which could be seen as offensive and been called down to the pit to sling mud around. Person X goes down, says that you 1) _completely_ misinterpreted the post, 2) twisted the words or 3) failed to get the joke. The OPer of the pit thread thinks about it a bit, says “yeah…I guess you’re right.” Meanwhile a pile-on commences. I have seen many times where person X did say something offensive and was called to the pit. Person X determines that what he or she said really was offensive and apologizes for being rude. Meanwhile a pile-on commences. I have seen trolls get pitted for statements they made within 10 minutes of making them. Trolls are trolls people! They make these statements to draw attention to themselves and rile people up. Guess what you just did? That’s right. Double their audience. What do all of these have in common? At no point in any of them did the OPer of the pit thread even _consider_ saying “excuse me Person X, but what did you mean by that last post?” At no time did the OPer say “I disagree with your offensive statements and I’m willing to explain it through points A, B, and C.” Even if they’re trolls you can do this. Why? How do you know they’re a troll until you at least confront them in that very thread and ask them or debate them? How hard would this be? How many needless pit threads would we save? How many useless pile-ons of the person being pitted could we avoid? But time and time again people refuse to do this. You run to the pit like it’s your mommy’s skirt. Well maybe mommy should start saying it’s time to actually stand your ground and confront your problems head on rather than fling rocks from a little safe haven. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/2 "2002-08-30T15:09:03Z")
Pot meet kettle ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/3 "2002-08-30T15:09:42Z")
Excuse me, please, Enderw24, what you mean by talking about my mommy like that? ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/4 "2002-08-30T15:16:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Pot meet kettle \*\* HAHAHAHA!!!😃 I read the post and then saw your message and I have to say, it made me laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/5 "2002-08-30T15:21:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Pot meet kettle \*\* I knew this was coming. And now I will refute by saying that I am not talking about one specific thread. You’ll note that I did not provide a link to any thread in my OP. Further, I had three seperate scenarios from many threads both past and present that I have seen. To debate all of them, to call each and every thread into question individually, would be counter productive at best and annoying as hell to all involved at worst. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/6 "2002-08-30T15:25:13Z")
actually - **Endar** has touched on my most recent theory. (my prior one, that \*\*december \*\* is really **Wildest Bill** version 2.5 has gained some acceptance). The likelihood that your pit rant is ill conceived and/or mountain over a molehill (which remains my most favorite _Fresh Prince_ moment), can be deduced by your ‘post/reply’ ratio. so, if you feel compelled to reply individually (damn near) to each reply, perhaps you shouldn’t have posted it at all. ---
**Author:** ![Forbin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5e9695/32.png) [@Forbin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Forbin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/7 "2002-08-30T23:40:31Z")
I agree with you **Enderw24**. A lot of pit threads could be easily avoided if people took your advice. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2002, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/8 "2002-08-30T23:56:51Z")
> [@](#): > > I see the pit as a crutch for those too lazy or too insecure to actually confront the offender within the original debate. Umm… that’s what the Pit is for, so we don’t HAVE to confront the offender within the original debate. That’s called a “hijack”, and it can ruin the thread for those who AREN’T caught up in a hissy fit. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/9 "2002-08-31T04:38:29Z")
Hijacking the thread is one thing, SPOOFE. But to automatically run to the pit before even asking the other person for _clarification_ strikes me as a bit too reactionary. It doesn’t have to be a hissy fit. If one side misinterprets the other side and they clear it up, there’s no need for a pit thread. If one side sees the error of their ways, there’s no need for a pit thread. All I’m asking is for people to take one post, ONE POST, and ask the person who you’re upset with for clarification or elaboration, before running like a madman to the pit where a pile on ensues, and maybe we can avoid a lot of agrivation and confrontation that otherwise happens on a regular basis around here. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/10 "2002-08-31T05:15:57Z")
Ah, gotcha. You’re referring primarily to the phenomenon of “Desire To Be The First To Take Someone To Task”, an affliction that results in someone automatically assuming that a wry joke or awkwardly-worded post is insulting and/or offensive. ---
**Author:** ![wring](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@wring](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wring)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/11 "2002-08-31T13:54:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SPOOFE \* > \*\*Ah, gotcha. You’re referring primarily to the phenomenon of “Desire To Be The First To Take Someone To Task”, an affliction that results in someone automatically assuming that a wry joke or awkwardly-worded post is insulting and/or offensive. \*\* **HEy** - are you talkin’ ‘bout me??? I \*\*know \*\* you’re talkin’ bout me. you, you, you. **BoDiddley-less** you! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/12 "2002-08-31T14:58:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Enderw24 \* > \*\*I think we rely on the BBQ Pit to solve too many of our problems from other threads. You think the Pit exists to actually _solve_ problems? Why, you stupid dumbass cracker, you make me so fucking mad… I wish this Pit had a Pit so I could tell you what I _really_ think of you and your fucked-up opinions. You lousy commie. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2002, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/he-looked-at-me-funny-to-the-pit/126302/13 "2002-08-31T15:23:19Z")
mmm…commie crackers. For a hunger so large, you start seeing red.