# Proposed Straight Dope Guidelines **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 5, 2002, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075 "2002-04-05T21:46:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/21 "2002-04-07T23:01:04Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Colibri_ > Amendment: 5. Do not post to GQ or GD unless you actually have something to say. Amendment accepted. **DesertGeezer** : _Please define jerk._ A brief discussion of jerkdom is available [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106617) . ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2002, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/22 "2002-04-07T23:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flowbark \* > \*\* Amendment accepted. > > **DesertGeezer** : _Please define jerk._ > > A brief discussion of jerkdom is available [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106617) . \*\* Thanks, for the cite, **flowbark** , but I already knew what SDMB says about behavior. I was hoping for something from _you_ on jerkitude (I just made that word up…unless I read it somewhere else. I don’t know for sure.:D). Frequently people in a thread call each other jerks or say someone is being a jerk, while said people themselves are arguably “abusive, vulgar, profane or obscene.” I realiize of course that the definitions of those words are subjective and open to interpretation. Also it seems that most people who call each other jerks on the boards are ususally just angry because their pet idea was disagreed with. I get that mods and admins can decide what language is egregious enough to call for warning or worse. But who’s a jerk to _you_? Me? 😃 I hope not. Oh, and, what? You didn’t like my haiku? ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/23 "2002-04-08T00:06:13Z")
Rule 31: Poofters Encouraged! ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/24 "2002-04-08T00:09:09Z")
Jerkiosity Studies is indeed an arcane and demanding field.\* I suppose my definition of a SDJerk would be, “that person who is defined as a SDJerk by a SD mod or administrator”. But how do _they_ decide who a SDjerk is? Ah, that’s the mystery. See guideline #18. Q: How do typical members distinguish jerkdom from adjoining territories? A: Typical members know it when they see it. - And let me take a moment to praise Desert Geezer’s poetic contributions in this area. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Largo62](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/45deac/32.png) [@Largo62](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Largo62)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/25 "2002-04-08T00:18:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by flowbark \* > \*\*\* And let me take a moment to praise Desert Geezer’s poetic contributions in this area. 😉 \*\* Aw [blushing and shuffling] you shouldn’t have!😉 ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/26 "2002-04-08T15:52:36Z")
I think when a posters jerkosity\* factor begins to outweigh his value, then the Admin begin to take notice. \*yes, its a word I just made up. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/27 "2002-04-08T16:01:57Z")
#32: use sunscreen ---
**Author:** ![lno](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/a8b319/32.png) [@lno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lno)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/28 "2002-04-08T16:46:01Z")
Rule #33: This space intentionally left blank. ---
**Author:** ![Why\_A\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/13edae/32.png) [@Why\_A\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Why_A_Duck)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/29 "2002-04-08T17:06:11Z")
Rule #34: Sigs are a privilege, not a right. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2002, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/30 "2002-04-08T17:18:45Z")
Don’t post while inebriated unless, of course, you’re already at work. ---
**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:** [April 9, 2002, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/31 "2002-04-09T03:11:58Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lieu \* > \*\*Don’t post while inebriated unless, of course, you’re already at work. \*\* Oh, my, that’s funny - tears are rolling down my cheeks (no, the other ones). ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 9:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/32 "2002-04-09T09:26:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by yojimbo \* > \*\*#32: use sunscreen \*\* #35: Don’t use a wisecrack reserved for a moderator. You are expected to be clairvoyant in this regard. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![grimpixie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecb155/32.png) [@grimpixie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grimpixie)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/33 "2002-04-09T11:52:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Treviathan \* > \*\*#30. Newbies exist for the entertainment of seasoned veterans. Abuse at will. > > Addendum: The term _newbie_ will henceforth refer to a Doper (or Dopers) whose post count is greater than or equal to the number forty. \*\* Now define _seasoned veteran_… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/34 "2002-04-09T13:46:50Z")
#37: Where’s rule 36? #36: Oh, there it is. [sub]Sorry, I love that joke.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Earthworm\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f07891/32.png) [@Earthworm\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earthworm_Jim)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/35 "2002-04-09T14:06:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grimpixie \* > \*\* > > Now define _seasoned veteran_… 😛 \*\* One Doper, sprinkled with a little salt, pepper, and garlic. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/36 "2002-04-09T14:31:56Z")
[obligatory SPOOFE joke] in that case, is toothpaste a seasoning? [/obligatory SPOOFE joke] Arf. ---
**Author:** ![Lockz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Lockz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lockz)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/37 "2002-04-09T14:57:04Z")
If you are not sure, Then think twice and then again, Please don’t be a jerk. ---
**Author:** ![Briminator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba9def/32.png) [@Briminator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briminator)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/38 "2002-04-09T15:40:41Z")
#38 the boards are not a place to hold a conversation. eg: Newbie: THIS IS SO RAD DONT U THINK SO?? Newbiefriend: RU GOING TO IM ME? Newbie: I’M GOING TO MAKE A THREAD! Newbiefriend: THAT IS SO COOL!!! ---
**Author:** ![Albert\_Rose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@Albert\_Rose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Albert_Rose)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2002, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075/39 "2002-04-09T15:51:59Z")
#39: If you make a statement intended to be believed as fact, be willing to back it up. #39a: “I’m sorry, I don’t have a cite.” and “Everybody knows that…” do not serve as sufficient backup. #40: When in doubt, be polite. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/proposed-straight-dope-guidelines/102075.md?page=1)