AlbaClause wrote: > jean-jeanot wrote: > <snip> > Ummm, he did not say that your question was stupid. The Zappa quote is > included as part of what we refer to as a 'signature'. In the case of > Sybren Stuvel's posts to this newsgroup, the Frank Zappa quote is included > in every message that he posts. Not just messages that he posts to you.
First up, I *like* the Frank Zappa signature quote; it has a George Carlin feel to it and takes a swipe at our overly-protective cultures [side note: I bought an electric heating pad last night that came with instructions not to use it in the bathtub! Well, duh!]. But, can you see where the signature on a response to a tutor list -- where people are already feeling a bit intimidated and/or inadequate and therefore may feel a wee bit "stupid" -- might be taken the wrong way? I have spent many years teaching mathematics and physics in a classroom setting and have come to realize that, as a teacher, just about anything I say/do can be blown way out of proportion. So I don't use sarcasm or "fun" little put-downs and I treat every question as if it is the most important matter because, to the student, it is. Do I get tired of answering the same thing over and over? Yes!! Many times I will ask if the student has read the textbook and, if not, I will request they give it a try (much in the same way we ask if they have read any tutorials), but I take Homeric efforts not to offend them and, to that end, modify my behavior in order to teach them mathematics. My point is that this is a wonderful service you tutors provide, but the Zappa signature may not be the best choice for this setting. Most people will read it and get a laugh (as did I), but how many have taken it the way jean-jeanot did and walk away feeling insulted? How many will not post a response expressing their feelings, never post a question again or, worst case, decide Python is not for them? Again, I admire this list and those of you you maintain it. These are just my thoughts. YMMV. --greg -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
