Why are we here?

[iani]

I've owned what can be classed as "classic cars" since 1989 I suppose when I bought my first GT6 MK2. I have now owned 13 Triumphs and now have my Stag. Throughout my Triumph ownership I have received a tremendous amount of help and support from fellow owners, in the case of my Stag this has come largely from this forum. What I have noticed recently however is degree of "snobbery" coming in from those who have some form of mechanical qualification, it seems as though they expect to be afforded a degree of deference in respect of their qualifications. Whilst it is clearly sensible to gauge the provenance of any advice received, I think it important to remember that any club is simply the total of its membership and we should accept that we can all contribute.

NB: It is also important to remember that any advice is only worth what you pay for it.

NBB: Anyone can make accessories for our cars, if you can do so then crack on

Ian

[Paul Roberts]

I've owned what can be classed as "classic cars" since 1989 I suppose when I bought my first GT6 MK2. I have now owned 13 Triumphs and now have my Stag. Throughout my Triumph ownership I have received a tremendous amount of help and support from fellow owners, in the case of my Stag this has come largely from this forum. What I have notice recently however is degree of "snobbery" coming in from those who have some form of mechanical qualification, it seems as though they expect to be afforded a degree of deference in respect of their qualifications. Whilst it is clearly sensible to gauge the provenance of any advice received, I think it important to remember that any club is simply the total of its membership and we should accept that we can all contribute.

NB: It is also important to remember that any advice is only worth what you pay for it.

NBB: Anyone can make accessories for our cars, if you can do so then crack on

Ian

Bravo. I like this bloke.

TBO

[jleyton]

What I have notice recently however is degree of "snobbery" coming in from those who have some form of mechanical qualification, it seems as though they expect to be afforded a degree of deference in respect of their qualifications. Whilst it is clearly sensible to gauge the provenance of any advice received, I think it important to remember that any club is simply the total of its membership and we should accept that we can all contribute.
Ian

As one who has some mechanical knowledge and qualifications, I hope I am not one of the 'guilty' ones. I certainly haven't noticed the snobbery to which you refer, although if it's me who is 'guilty' then I wouldn't notice

However it seems potentially counter productive to make a post that criticises those who, it would seem, are best suited to help others

If I've been able to help anyone, all I ever hope for is a 'thank you' that is, all too often, not forthcoming.

Cheers

Julian

[milothedog]

I've owned what can be classed as "classic cars" since 1989 I suppose when I bought my first GT6 MK2. I have now owned 13 Triumphs and now have my Stag. Throughout my Triumph ownership I have received a tremendous amount of help and support from fellow owners, in the case of my Stag this has come largely from this forum. What I have notice recently however is degree of "snobbery" coming in from those who have some form of mechanical qualification, it seems as though they expect to be afforded a degree of deference in respect of their qualifications. Whilst it is clearly sensible to gauge the provenance of any advice received, I think it important to remember that any club is simply the total of its membership and we should accept that we can all contribute.

NB: It is also important to remember that any advice is only worth what you pay for it.

NBB: Anyone can make accessories for our cars, if you can do so then crack on

Ian

Hi Ian,
I suspect this may stem from a poorly worded comment I made If it is, as you well know I have gone out my way to help fellow members, some you know personally and in the spirit of the club and friendship. If your post is inspired by my comment, there is no snobbery intended on my part it's just a case of me not putting my point across very well.

Yes, I'm qualified and worked in the trade, but then we have other professionals on here with expertise in certain areas as well that post their views and opinions. I enjoy helping others with my knowledge and skills to keep our cars on the road but do wonder why I bother sometimes so will try not to offer advise unless asked in the future.


Ian.

[GDPR]

Very helpful. And believe this is a direct attack on myself and a few others.

I think of it like this - if I have a problem with my heart, I feel the advice from a cardiac surgeon might just carry a bit more weight than maybe that from someone down the pub whose 3rd cousin had some chest pain - his advice may be spot on, but it hasn't come from 30 years of practice.

Yes, anyone can make accessories for anything, but if it is being made for some thing precious to you, wouldn't you like it to have been developed by a company that has years of experience and qualifications in the appropriate trade? Would you prefer your electric kitchen gadgets designed, tested for safety and built by a florist?

Snobbery you may call it, but if someone who didn't know what they were talking about, came into your workplace and tried to talk you down, how quiet would you be?

Ian we are human and fallible - and subject to bouts of indignation - doesn't make us snobs.

To be honest, I think Ian Milothedog may have a point and maybe as it seems you feel you are speaking for others, that I am guilty of posting out of turn and will wait to be asked too, and will have more time to myself... you asked the question why are we here, I have just asked myself the same question...

Russ

[DJT]

Oh FFS, not again........

[Guest]

Can't say that I have noticed any snobbery on this forum, so I don't understand the original post at all.

[GDPR]

Oh FFS, not again........

We didn't start it, but have a right to reply - or am I being snobbish?

PS Dave - can't seem to open that movie - working purely from mobile devices this week and can't do apple format anything until I'm back at a desktop...

[uzbek]

Can't say that I have noticed any snobbery on this forum, so I don't understand the original post at all.

I joined in the autumn. I've seen lots of people commenting on the 'atmosphere' etc etc but not seen much evidence of it either.

I post here in the hope that those who know more than me can help me out with a glitch or query. Generally the forum could not have been more helpful.

Perhaps we should post less aboout the Forum's perceived problems and just talk about cars?

Bruce

[DJT]

We didn't start it, but have a right to reply - or am I being snobbish?

PS Dave - can't seem to open that movie - working purely from mobile devices this week and can't do apple format anything until I'm back at a desktop...

Not snobbish, Russ. And yes, right to reply is a given.

I'll update my original post with the current state of play........

[wilf]

Good call Bruce.

There is no black and white here, sometimes an enthusiast might post advice that a more "seasoned campaigner" knows could be improved upon or may have safety implications. Or indeed, could be plain mistaken, i.e. wrong. In that kind of situation, the "seasoned campaigner" may have to make the point that their experience/knowledge/qualification add some weight to their reply.

In a face to face situation, the subtleties of visual communications can defuse any potential conflict or misunderstanding. In this more limited medium, inferences can be drawn that were never intended.

Everyone who contributes positively is, of course, welcome.

Lightness of being, that's what we need, lightness of being.

[GDPR]

Although as was said by Orwell - we are all equal, but some are more equal than others...

[staginhiding]

I actually think the in-fighting was amongst the knowledgeable few..
I dont think it was meant in any malicious way,just a bit of "Sabre rattling"to put across the point that they were actually qualified to make those suggestions..

Ian and Russ you both know your stuff,as do others on here,so dont stay quiet just accept that you are helping others,and thats a good thing..
Sometimes criticism is given and not meant..
although I do get fed up at the constant sniping at V Mad..

We are all here to help each other,lets keep it that way..

Sam

[jagorstag]

I for one being new to the Forum as well as Stag ownership am very grateful that we have so many qualified, and unqualified, people with varying levels of expertise willing to spend time helping us novices. I'm sure it is also occasionally hard to give advice when the issues might be poorly explained and without enough detail.

No doubt we sometimes take this rather unique privilege for granted and don't show our appreciation enough, but I can't say I've reacted to any snobbery or suchlike. I suppose it's a little like driving in general, it's easy to misunderstand and take offence when we're in the safety of our car, or sitting behind a computer monitor.

I try not to read too much into various opinions or statements, as I know when we try and say something in writing it doesn't always come across as we had intended. A lot of meaning can get lost between the brains and the fingers! Perhaps sometimes it's good to just paus for a moment and re-read your post before pressing the 'Post Quick Reply' button...

Let's just keep doing what we all love and agree to disagree before things start to get out of hand, often there's more ways than one to do things (although not necessarily always correct!!!)

Only my tuppence to this debate, which will hopefully come to a satisfactory end soon...

Cheers,
Joakim

[Paul Roberts]

..... . "Whilst it is clearly sensible to gauge the provenance of any advice received, I think it important to remember that any club is simply the total of its membership and we should accept that we can all contribute." ...... .

Ian

As ever, with written commentary, the words used (and more importantly; the way they are read) can make a huge difference to the interpretation; no?

For instance; knowledge and experience are not synonymous (if at firstyou don't suceed - you're doing it wrong.... .)

Knowledge tends to teach us that there is, often, more than one way to achieve a given end; but the method we choose is largely governed by our experience - or lack of it.

Most people I've met have an opinion on most things - it costs me nothing to hear it. Whether or not it's worth anything, to me, is a decision only I can make. I'm under no obligation to either believe or accept their opinion. However, it would be rude or even inflamatory to publicly ridicule it; sure that's what politicians are for.

Like Ian; I welcome the insight and experience of other members, especially those who have spent many years gaining specialist skills and knowledge, regardless of their qualifications or otherwise.

Oh, and for the record - I don't have a degree in snobbery - yet