This thread was inspired by the recently ruffled feathers of Horsey and Phukethound, both relative newcomers to TD. I was sipping Babychams in an all-boy go-go bar in Roi-et last night with DD, founding father and font of all wisdom, and he explained the idea of eclecticism to me. Here is my attempt to pass on those wise words to other newcomers.
TeakDoor is a community made up of a wide range of characters of all ages, both sexes (and Butterfly's sex) from many walks of life. The key to successfully integrating into the TD community is eclecticism – being selective, using different sources for different kinds of information.
The different members of TD have different specialisms, different areas of expertise. It's no good asking blackgang, for example, about plumbing. He knows less about pipes and pumps than your average bacterium. If you really want to engage blackgang, you have to pick your topic much more carefully. His specialist subject is sexual politics and the rise of the feminist movement.
So here is my brief guide to who to talk to about what on TD:
dirtydog: DO talk to dd about grammar and spelling. He's a well-established teacher with many years experience teaching English to Thai students and has published widely in the region. Be it classroom management, young learners, grammar and vocabulary systems, take it from me, he knows it all. DON'T engage him on dirty girls who show their knickers for 20B, dd is not interested in anything sordid.
Marmite the Dog: DO talk to him about racial issues, especially Africa and the British Empire. As a former Governor of Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and as Her Majesty's top diplomat in 17 different African nations, there's nothing he doesn't know about the history and development of that troubled continent. DON'T mention beer of food to him: as a vegan and teetotaller he has very strong and controversial opinions about us normal people who like our beer and roast beef!
kingwilly: DO talk US politics with him. He has a genuine insider's feel for the ins and outs of American politics and was a writer for The West Wing. (All the best West Wing jokes were kw's!) DON'T try to get him talking about post counts and reputation points. The man eschews all manifestations of popularity and is happiest when he's in the background.
DrB0b: DO ask the good doctor for anything pertaining to Thai pussy! The man is a hound of the highest order as well as being a pervert and an insatiable love-machine. If you want to know where to get it, how much to pay and how to avoid those nasty little infections, just book an appointment with the Doc. DON'T ask for opinions on the wider aspects of Thai culture, politics or history. The man has no interest in such matters. His only words of Thai are “How much?” (Said with a leer and a beery burp).
bustak: DO use bustak as the web's most reliable source of worldwide news and current events. As soon as it happens, busty knows about it and posts it on TD, making TD members the most up-to-date forum posters anywhere in the world. DON'T ask him about taking photos. He's a self-confessed nincompoop when it comes to anything to do with cameras and photography. He was once trying to take a snap of a dog's face and managed only to take a picture of his own eye!
Other regulars, please feel free to add your own recommendations.
And, TD newbies, remember this: be selective when you engage in banter with TD regulars. Get to know their interests and areas of expertise before you wade in and make a fool of yourself. Be eclectic and happy posting!