The Straight Dope Super Double Secret Clique... Lets just get it out in the open.

Thanks, blur. I was starting to wonder. I don’t intend to attack anybody; I’m just looking for friends.

Green Bean, I’m fine, the wife and kids are fine (my oldest just started a job at Long John Silvers), I live 1 1/2 hours east of the Burgh and my wife works in Oakmont, and I’ve been to Primanti’s once. (It was great.)

I guess I’ve been posting in the wrong threads…

Hhhmm, then if you don’t see it as a bad thing, why did you start a thread on it? Seems to me if the newbies have lurked, which in most cases is true, they have an idea on what the board is about and how to ‘get in’ the community. And for those newbies that feel ignored, don’t. Your posts get read, it’s just that when someone agrees with what you say they don’t do the ‘me too’ thing. Just keep on posting. Sometimes it’s just hard to post to all the threads that dopers would like to post to. Doesn’t mean you aren’t ‘in’ the group.

This is the second time today I’ve noticed that I love Biggirl.

And Steelerphan, I do notice you. I live in Pittsburgh. I even recognixed your name (and now I’m wondering if I’ve talked to you before…I can be both shy and outgoing…as well as flighty, so I have no clue.)

As far as cliques…there are people here. lots of them. Some of us are going to know and like each other. Yes, social interaction between people can be intimidating (god knows I was, and for the most part still am) but its a welcoming crowd, for the most part. We don’t have a secret handshake and we don’t draw too much blood. We occassioanlly will kick people who stumble onto a sacred topic, but its pretty much on an individual basis. I won’t growl at an obviously homophobic comment because I admire Esprix, I’ll get pissed because that is one of my holy topics.

And you can find me in threads about parenting, sex, and um…whatever I feel like wandering into…

Where is Slip?

He is usually the first one in a thread like this defending the moral rectitude and integrity of the SDMB.

I am the Clique Master.

Thanks for the thread, blur! Makes sense, and a nice welcome.

Yo, Steeler! Bears Rule! :slight_smile:

I started a thread on it because when I see it come up, its usually in an already heated thread, and it turns into a big clusterfuck. I figured, screw it, I’ll start a reasonable discussion on it. Thats why I didn’t name people, and chose two groups I felt like I could at least relate to.

I never thought the term clique was a bad one, obvioulsy most of you do. I never meant to say any group of people goes out of their way to exclude people. Sorry if thats what my OP seemed like.

Ever notice how andros and Clark Kent are never logged in at the same time?
Oh, sorry, that was an oldtimer reference. Shucks, I guess I’m in a clique now.

Well, for one, there’s…

Dagnabit! Rain all over my parade, why don’t ya.

Okay, here’s the deal: I been on the board a long time, and I’ve been in chat damn near every night for two years. If there’s a clique, I’m in it. And if I’m in it, I’m unaware of it.

The only exclusionary tactics I’ve seen (and, to be fair, fully endorse and participate in) are reluctance to give someone channel op powers until we know them well. Sorry, but there’s too much potential for havoc if we give out ops just willy-nilly.

We old-timers are not unfriendly people. But don’t bitch just cuz we didn’t give you a big shmoopy hug your first time through the door.

What’s really pathetic is that I “own” #SD and I’m not sure I’m in the clique :stuck_out_tongue:

I started on AOL a couple of years before we moved onto the internet so I guess you can consider me an oldtimer. Weird thing is, is that no one ever invites me to club meetings and I have yet to learn the secret handshake.

What give?

I grieve at times like this that people are so intimidated by my legion of silent followers, who after my thoughtful and carefully rendered posts all nod in unspoken agreement, the gestalt force of which generates ripples across the ether that ring in the psyches of SDMB posters like a gong struck underwater – grave and ponderous – while the posters, their fingers trembling at the keys, watch my threads drop like falling stars into the sea.

I’m in a clique so exclusive that I’m the only member.

You are not alone.

Been there.

[sub]The Steelers suck[/sub]

As a newbie, I noticed that there were strong friendships on the boards. That is one of the things that brought me in. But, I don’t see it as anymore than that - strong friendships - developed by intelligent and witty conversations. If that’s a clique, then there is one. I went to my first Dope Fest this weekend, and was welcomed and included. So, if there is a clique, it’s one I am proud to be a part of. I am proud to say that I am friends with some of the amazing people that hang around here. And the so called clique didn’t frighten this newbie.

Hey, blur?

I’m starting a Clique for Wrestling Fans, wanna join? :slight_smile:

Me, you, TwistofFate, SPOOFE…we’ll rule over this board, armed with steel chairs and tube socks. Trolls will get pre-banning VanDaminators. GD’s will settled by ladder matches.
::ducks and runs::

My only prob is that sometimes a newb will come in and make some brilliantly satirical comment, and it will get ignored. Seems people look for the big comedy names like Fenris or Scylla, and if they don’t see them they don’t laugh. I think that’s pretty dumb. We have lots of newbs here! Encourage them if ya can.

Remember when Fenris was a nobody, and then he started posting the secrets of the mods in ATMB and was the Shit-Of-The-Month? Yeah, we all start off somewhere, give folks a chance.

Ohhh, can I be in the sad and pathetic “Four Horsemen Still Rule” subclique?

Ok, wait. I already am spending way too much of my life on this board, and now you tell me there’s a chatroom TOO? PLEASE do NOT tell me how to access this! NO NO NO NO NO NO!

::stuffs beeswax in ears and ties self to oar::

ROW! ROW, DAMMIT! Pay no attention to that dork tied to the mast! FASTER! FASTER!

[sub]Ok, please tell me?[/sub]

He He He He! You gals and guys make me giggle. Cliques, aren’t they a “HIGH SCHOOL” thing. Hey, if you’re in school that’s fine. The whole board CAN’T be in high school. Can they???