# How to survive a pitting? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 15, 2003, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303 "2003-02-15T21:14:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/41 "2003-02-16T13:55:10Z")
I’ve only been pitted once, IIRC. A poster was greatly offended by one of my trademark glib responses and pitted me in a highly emotional OP. I was fortunate enough to not know of the existence of Pit Thread for awhile. I actually found out about it by reading e-mails from a few kind people who wrote to me to warn me about it so I wasn’t blind-sided. By the time I showed up, plenty of posters had already defended me and appealed to the OPer to take a step back and calm down. So all the groundwork was laid and I all really had to do was to show up and acknowledge the thread. (To ignore it would have been rude, IMO. Pain caused inadvertently is still pain.) Matching the emotion of the OP would have served no purpose except to get one or both of us banned. My advice for surviving pittings is the same advice I give posters who are spinning out of control: If you find yourself getting so upset that it’s affecting your “real” life (e.g. you’re kicking the dog or you can’t sleep cause you’re so keyed up), take time out and feed the ducks. Only return when you can be rational. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/42 "2003-02-16T14:39:09Z")
The absolute best survival method is to be a mod. [That way](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?postid=3002062#post3002062), you can let the flogging go on for several pages, type out your final-word/magnum-opus, and then lock everybody else out of the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Wabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wabbit)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/43 "2003-02-16T19:14:52Z")
What’s so wimpy about Librarians? Be careful how you answer 'cause I’m just **dying** to open a big old can of whoop-ass on yer sorry hide! 😉 Wabbit \ ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/44 "2003-02-16T19:23:09Z")
Lib: have you noticed how often, if a doper is calling out a mod, he will title the thread something like “UncleBeer I’m slightly annoyed” or “David B, please can we talk”. If a doper is calling out another ordinary doper, the thread is more likely to be titled “Go fuck a goat you stupid CUNT”. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/45 "2003-02-16T20:15:06Z")
That’s probably because mods have those shiny BAN buttons we peons don’t. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/46 "2003-02-16T20:24:58Z")
> [@](#): > > I feel sorry for people with wimpy sounding usernames, they get Pitted all the time. Indeed. I am quite certain I owe my perfect record to my careful choice of username ;). - Tamerlane ---
**Author:** ![Hank\_Fescue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/49beb7/32.png) [@Hank\_Fescue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hank_Fescue)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/47 "2003-02-16T20:43:30Z")
I must have been pitted in record time. Don’t fuck with the **Librarian**. He can read and stuff. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/48 "2003-02-16T20:59:08Z")
😃 That’s cute, Hank. I pitted you pretty hard, I guess. You seem to have recovered quite nicely. Welcome to Straight Dope. * * * Samarm I’m pretty sure I’ve done a “David, you suck” thread at least once. I actually think he’s a great moderator. He’s just a bit bully-ish. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2003, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/49 "2003-02-16T21:09:52Z")
I don’t get pitted. Maybe people are afraid of… **DEATH BY TICKLING!!! AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!** **Ashkicker** , because you’re new here, I’ll let you know that typing “alot” when you mean “a lot” will get you banned. No, really, I mean it. I am not a grammar Nazi. Who said that? ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 11:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/50 "2003-02-17T11:53:34Z")
For your reference, I was, up until a month or so ago, a rather constant presence on the Foo Fighters postboard - a postboard which, all things being equal, is remarkably well behaved and intelligent - especially considering the potential for youngsters to run willy nilly around the place. Interestingly, I was up around 2,800 odd posts and I’d been there for quite some time - and slowly, I noticed a trend which sadly got me in no end of trouble - a trend which I don’t perceive as being prevalent here on the Straight Dope board at all, oddly enough. And the trend? It was a trend I jokingly referred to as “Foo Website Royalty” - and in essence, it was this - there was/is a collection of 8 or so folks who are real old hands, who have super high post counts - and in effect, they tend to conduct themselves above the law, as it were. Being the guy that I am, I couldn’t help but get hot under the collar about the de fact double standard involved - namely, newbies would get reprimanded and sometimes banned for behaviour which the “Gang of Eight” as I called them, could get away with. It’s worth noting that the “Gang of 8” regularly used to have private “friendly” conversations with the Foo postboard moderators outside of the postboard as well. In short, I spoke out about it one too many times. I never once swore, nor abused anyone, or did the sock puppet thing etc - but I was banned eventually for having too many “personal issues” - which oddly, wasn’t the case - it was the double standards I had problems with. Rather refreshingly, I don’t see those sort of double standards here at all. I did learn something from the Foos Postboard though - and it’s this - postboards have an inherently “kindergarten” kind of quality to them - insofar as, just like when you’re a little kid, the concept of “punishment” is kinda abstract and as a result, you tend to push the envelope of “acceptibility” more. The posts above which have mentioned being able to see the warning signs etc are very wise posts. Just like in life, there will always be certain personalities which get on our nerves - I’ve reached a point where my personal battle is to never let such people know they have that power over me. I fail occasionally of course. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/51 "2003-02-17T11:55:57Z")
Great post, Boo! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Desmostylus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c57346/32.png) [@Desmostylus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Desmostylus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/52 "2003-02-17T12:04:57Z")
Better watch your ass, **Boo Boo Foo**. I think you just triggered the radar of the SDMB Elite[sup]TM[/sup]. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@Boo\_Boo\_Foo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boo_Boo_Foo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/53 "2003-02-17T12:25:22Z")
Heh Heh Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/54 "2003-02-17T12:30:05Z")
[…taking notes…] ---
**Author:** ![Ashkicker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ashkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashkicker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/55 "2003-02-17T12:31:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by featherlou \* > \*\*I don’t get pitted. Maybe people are afraid of… **DEATH BY TICKLING!!! AH-HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!** > > **Ashkicker** , because you’re new here, I’ll let you know that typing “alot” when you mean “a lot” will get you banned. No, really, I mean it. I am not a grammar Nazi. Who said that? \*\* Thanks for pointing that out **featherlou**. I am suprised I haven’t been banned yet then, because my writing, typing, grammer, punctuation and everything else in that category stinks. I already know that.☹ ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/56 "2003-02-17T12:32:03Z")
Gramm **a** r. ---
**Author:** ![Ashkicker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4bbf92/32.png) [@Ashkicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashkicker)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/57 "2003-02-17T12:33:23Z")
Thanks 😃 **Lib**! I may just learn something after all. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/58 "2003-02-18T01:59:12Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by **Fred** _ > > I’m not exactly the voice of experience, in that I’ve been pitted only once. It was by **Esprix** , of course, which counts for something. But it was a long time ago, and I’d be surprised if he even remembers it. [list=1][li]I pitted you? Who are you? 😕[/li] [li]Why “of course?” 😕[/li] [li]It’s nice to know I count for something. ;)[/list=1][/li] Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/59 "2003-02-18T03:18:35Z")
I have been pitted **once** (recently) I came out smelling of febreeze. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303/60 "2003-02-18T03:22:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by samarm \* > \*\*Lib: have you noticed how often, if a doper is calling out a mod, he will title the thread something like “UncleBeer I’m slightly annoyed” or “David B, please can we talk”. If a doper is calling out another ordinary doper, the thread is more likely to be titled “Go fuck a goat you stupid CUNT”. 🙂 \*\* I vaguely remember saying something not too nice to **Coldfire** in a pit thread title. (I hope _he_ doesn’t :() If I remember rightly it contained words like ‘fuck’. I am not proud of being an exception to your rule **samarm** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-survive-a-pitting/155303.md?page=4)