Most forums have introductory threads where a new member can say hello and introduce themselves to the community. But, what about allowing active, long time members the chance to say goodbye if they are leaving the forum permanently or going on hiatus? This might be a good idea, as so many forum members come and go over time and their absence leaves a gap in the community, making forum members wonder as to the reason for their departure. By letting the forum member make a polite public statement about why they are leaving, it could quell any questions as to whether or not they were banned or asked to leave. Then again, such threads could also be used by people looking for a moment in the spotlight. These people will often make a big deal about leaving, just to get attention from other forum members who might want them to stay, then disappear for a few weeks, only to make a grand reappearance. This type of grand-standing can be upsetting for a community. What's your thoughts on using goodbye threads on your forum?
Do you allow goodbye threads from departing members?
- Thread starter Beverly
- Start date
If it's for a legit cause and a member needs a break or wants to say goodbye to the community, then yeah, why not.
If it's a member being emo and just seeking attention, well, those are too fun to pass up 😀 They always regret it and always come back, some actually learn from that and the fact the spotlight isn't always where you want to be.
If it's a member being emo and just seeking attention, well, those are too fun to pass up 😀 They always regret it and always come back, some actually learn from that and the fact the spotlight isn't always where you want to be.
ForumSource
Resident
I don't mind them if they're serious as hcf said.
If they're insulting the community and just wanting attention or something, then no.
If they're insulting the community and just wanting attention or something, then no.
I don't think an entire area is needed, maybe just one big ol' topic for anyone who wants to say good bye for maybe vacation or something is handy. But I only really see this being useful if you have a big forum 300+ members and can't recall who was doing what and leaving when.
If the member has been banned, I don't allow a good bye thread, because the reason for anyone being banned, whether a long-time member or not, is between the person who was banned and the staff only, so in my opinion, stating why you have been banned publicly, in other words, saying you're leaving because you've been banned, in my book, is only an attention getter and will really not get you anywhere, except maybe a locked and trashed thread. However, as others have said, if someone is, say, going on vacation and they won't be able to be active for a while, especially if the community is used to seeing that person active, then, why not make a good-bye thread in that instance? I would! I sometimes do as a matter of fact if I'm going to be out for medical reasons or whatever. I did, however, used to be one of the immature ones as HCF described and used to make a good-bye thread here on FP if, say, I was having trouble with a staff, whether we weren't just not getting along, or if I didn't agree with something and was highly upset about it, whatever the reason, I would always make a good-bye thread and would not hesitate to state why I was leaving. I don't do that anymore though. These days, if I'm upset with something happening on the forum, I just up and leave I don't bother making a thread anymore..
The Governor
Seasoned Veteran
Agreed with HCF. A legitimate good bye thread from a long time member is fine. A member who has only been registered for a month, or an attention seeker, doesn't need a thread.
vx-enthusiast
New Arrival
Never thought of having a goodbye thread tbh, ive got a introduction thread hmmmmmmmm might put one in now
When my forum was still around, we didn't really have such topics. I didn't disallow it specifically, but no such thread was made anyway. If someone was planning to be away, the most was to post in the chat box or the general chat thread about it.
I personally think it is possible to let other members know if you are going to leave permanently or still temporary but for a very long time. Otherwise, it may look like a spam. Definitely a no for banned members, and no if it's simply to raise drama around the forum. But it's hard to tell the exact motivation. Anyway, I guess it doesn't hurt to allow such posts, though I'm more comfortable to see it placed in general chat thread.
I personally think it is possible to let other members know if you are going to leave permanently or still temporary but for a very long time. Otherwise, it may look like a spam. Definitely a no for banned members, and no if it's simply to raise drama around the forum. But it's hard to tell the exact motivation. Anyway, I guess it doesn't hurt to allow such posts, though I'm more comfortable to see it placed in general chat thread.
Forces of Steel
Resident
No, because they're usually done for attention. When such threads are made, they are baiting the community to flame the OP.
IF the person is leaving for a legit reason i'd consider it. It's a free world, people build relationships, and the forum is bigger than someone saying goodbye.
People are not going to leave just because 1 person does. If we're running it right, what is there to be afraid of?
People are not going to leave just because 1 person does. If we're running it right, what is there to be afraid of?
Claraviolet
Paragon
well it's best to accept them.I mean...people need to know why they are leaving.Right? ^^
I personally don't like these kinds of threads myself, so I would never add a section specifically for this. I feel that members who do this are simply seeking attention, and I feel that if they must state they are leaving they could add some text in their signature stating that they are leaving. In some rare occasions though, if they have a legit reason as to why they're leaving then I suppose I'd allow it.
Technically, no. The reason being introduction threads on my board are not solely for introductions. They are a topic for the member who made it to be asked questions and also share any important news about themselves such as departures and whatnot. As such, members do have a topic to mention a departure, but I won't permit the creation of a new topic dedicated to a departure unless it's a unique circumstance that I would judge case by case.
I've never had a section on my past forums that allowed members to post goodbye threads. The main reason is I have seen it done on quite a few forums, and almost every time you see at least one person leaving over an incident that happened on the forum that they didn't like, which usually leads to a disrespectful goodbye and out of hand thread.
I don't like them, but I accept them. Most of the time I don't really like seeing members post goodbye messages, especially if the reason for them leaving has to do with another member, or how the forum operates. If it's a sincere goodbye, I usually will allow it, however if it's bashing people or the forum, I tend to hide it, I don't like having those kinds of things public to the forum. 😛
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