Sometimes you gotta be cruel to be kind

[crowdog66]

I just received the following email from Witchvox:

Hello, I live in Winnipeg and I' an new to Paganism. I' an 36 yo male and I' an trying to learn about Paganism. But it hard to do so on my own. I would love to hear Back from you cauce I' am interested in joining a group here in Winnipeg. Hope to here from you.

Here is my response:

Hello:

Please read Point #1 in the following link:

http://hubpages.com/hub/Five_Things_That_Will_Keep_You_From_Joining_a_Coven

I'll try to put this as gently as I can: a higher standard is generally expected in the Pagan community than a badly spelled and composed email (although you were certainly polite). Unless English is your second language, there is really no excuse for it.

If English IS your second language, I do apologize for coming down rather hard on you, but... well, see Point #1 in the link above, and consider using spell check the next time you send an email to a group or individual. Seriously, bad spelling and grammar will usually get you disqualified from serious consideration.

Regards, etc

Was I too harsh? Because quite honestly, bad spelling/grammar turns me off faster than anything else on the planet, at least via the intrawebs.

Comments

[eastpath.livejournal.com]

I don't think you were harsh. I probably would have deleted it without a second thought... I've gotten email through witchvox like that too.. but it was more salacious in nature... ew.

[elaryn.livejournal.com]

All good points. If he's trolling, no big loss. If he's a sincere seeker, he'll try to apply your advice. Some people are as lousy at spelling as I am at math, alas. Some of them, alas, are highly educated, at least on a theoretical level. (I used to work with social workers and upper management, many of whom had degrees and all sorts of "alphabet soup" after their names. Could all of them spell? Nope.)

I think you were very compassionate. Whatever his situation, he needs to hear the truth, and you put it in a straightforward, honest manner. *hugs*

[matrixrefugee.livejournal.com]

Nope, not harsh at all: you just laid down the parameters, is all.

[diamond-lies.livejournal.com]

haha, not at all! that's so annoying.
and in other news, you can put me down for coming to the next full moon :) shall i bring anything in particular?

[metisbutterfly.livejournal.com]

Nope, not cruel.
Honest.
And you were far kinder than many of the responses this person may have got.

[cockatiel-art.livejournal.com]

Hrrrm... I know I'm REALLY REALLY BAD at spelling, but I tend to use the spell check if I'm sending off a super important letter. Only exception is when I accidently fire it off without the pre-email spelling and grammer editing (**Cough** Breeder-adopter questionarie! AAAK!).

All together it makes me wonder if it's a kid passing as a 36 year old? Spelling looks more like that of 13 yr old than someone a lot older.