Quote Originally Posted by Shelby07
From the discussions generated by PG's appearance, it seems to me that there are at least 3 separate issues that are being muddled into one.

The treatment and validity of new members.

The issue of "shooting first and asking questions later."

Derogatory language and attitudes.
My opinion, not in order.
"shooting first and asking questions later" Reason: Probably because of the name "cigar smokers" - we regularly get people showing up here for the sole purpose of selling cigars, which are usually fake. Partagas 150's are dam expensive and one of the rarer cigars out there. Because of this, some guy just showing up saying he won some of these and is looking to sell them raises some eye brows. Usually once or twice a month someone comes here trying to sell fake cubans, fake opus, fake something, or they’re out to gouge someone one some rarer domestics, and their format is exactly the same as PG's. They show up, say they won them, their brother works at the factory, their cousin's is from Cuban. bla bla bla. It’s always the same. Stick around for a few more months and you will see it for yourself. Because the majority of senior and not-so-senior members have already had there full of this nonsense they just fire away. No point in getting burned, no point in offering sanctuary. If you want warm and fuzzy for the scammers, there is always club stogie. I’m not saying you should go there. Frankly I think you fit in just fine, but that is where you go for warm and fuzzy.

Now I'm not saying PG's cigars where fake, I'm not saying he is a scammer, but he came across as one. A true sign of the scammer is someone that immediately retaliates when confronted.

It’s a "Lies beget lies" sort of thing.

Now for people not selling.

There are a lot of asshats and trolls out there. People who get their rocks off on stirring up shit and then wandering off to the next site. They come and go. It's fun for them. We've had them here and don't care to have them around. Do we hit back hard. Sure, but when you've seen the same thing over and over and over and over.... It doesn't matter if it's on a board or in your off-line life. You just get sick of the BS.

"Derogatory Language and attitudes"

Reap what you sow. Plan and simple. Do some guys get a stick in the eye quick, sure, but they end up proving they deserved it in the long run.
Treatment and Validity of New Members.

This board is very accepting. I was accepted with open arms. Shortly after I was here CC had to correct me when I called a Padron 1926 and anniversary. I was wrong. It was a test to see how I would react. Honestly I was a little put off, but instead of reacting I did some research, found that I was wrong, came back and owned up. I passed the test. Shortly thereafter, He let me into his box pass not knowing me from Adam. That's how it works.

I have already had a couple of great trades with some relatively new guys, all good guys. But lets face it. I could be standing next to anyone here and probably wouldn't know it. Yeah I've seen some pictures but in real life I wouldn’t stop a guy and say "Hey are you so-and-so because you look like a guy I know from a small, grainy, picture, are you him?"

So all we have is our words, are actions, and our integrity. So to get in you have to roll over a little and take the tests, however they make you feel, because until you do you're just a fake name.