redirecting to old threads

10 I am probably the minority..... but I find it rude where someone post a question , the first response is "have you searched for this yet? Many topics already". In my opinion this is a forum and I want to TALK to someone NOT do some research project. I think a lot of the posters are really looking to vent to their peers. Also no one wants to respond to a three year old thread because probably no one will read or respond.



Not speaking from experience as I don't usually ask questions here.
I don't think anyone meant to come off rude or uncaring. Just trying to be helpful cause there is a post for just about any question. But, I do see where you are coming from! You have a question, and that question has details specific to you. So therefore you want an answer from people and to chat about your specific situation. I totally understand and I hope that you'll get some good answers on your posts!

A lot of new members/posters ask questions that do not have details specific to their situation; they ask questions that have been discussed many times on this thread. Maybe some people find it "rude" to be directed to existing sources of abundant information on the topic they are asking about, but there are also people here who find it rude for people to ask questions that have been discussed repeatedly over time on the site without making any apparent effort to locate answers to their questions on their own. Also, people don't always respond immediately to new threads -- reviewing old threads is something one can do immediately, without having to wait for someone else to feel like posting a response. That information is just sitting there, waiting to be accessed.I'm one of the "rude" people, I guess, who often lets people know there are existing threads on their question they can access at their convenience; when I do so, I'm not intending to be rude, I'm just guessing that new members may not realize that there is lots of existing info here on their topic. But if that's perceived as being rude, I can just stop responding to those posts. Thanks for letting me know.

Quote from elkparkA lot of new members/posters ask questions that do not have details specific to their situation; they ask questions that have been discussed many times on this thread. Maybe some people find it "rude" to be directed to existing sources of abundant information on the topic they are asking about, but there are also people here who find it rude for people to ask questions that have been discussed repeatedly over time on the site without making any apparent effort to locate answers to their questions on their own. Also, people don't always respond immediately to new threads -- reviewing old threads is something one can do immediately, without having to wait for someone else to feel like posting a response. That information is just sitting there, waiting to be accessed.I'm one of the "rude" people, I guess, who often lets people know there are existing threads on their question they can access at their convenience; when I do so, I'm not intending to be rude, I'm just guessing that new members may not realize that there is lots of existing info here on their topic. But if that's perceived as being rude, I can just stop responding to those posts. Thanks for letting me know.

I'm guess I'm one of those "rude" people, as well; however, I will continue to direct people because some people like to sign up without even figuring out how to utilize the site.Granted, there are old threads that have outdated information, which is fine; but if one is a newbie, and a "regular" is pointing out that a thread was discussed a week-at least 3 months ago on the SAME subject, sometimes the ones that need cooling off periods or carthartic information was shared, why not peruse and try to find the answer or find the feedback that one wants?I find the ones who revive a post from 2-3 years ago more savvy than the ones who write a post as if they're searching Google...at least there's evidence that they tried.

kadeemb - There was a thread about this 12 years ago. Do a search.

I'm rude too. I have always thought of re-directing as being helpful. Why not point someone to the dozen or so threads that discuss the issue thoroughly? That way, a possibly quick and thorough answer to the OP's question is right there. Much quicker than waiting for responses. Particularly when some of us who know that the issue has been discussed ad nauseum are no longer interested in participating in the discussion.Guess I never thought of offering help as being rude....

Well I find it rude when someone posts a very vague question (that's clearly a homework question) then becomes defensive and rude when we do try and help them by redirecting them to a place where said question has been answered. If you're searching for help- being redirected to a place where your question is answered is helping. As for venting- I understand reposting despite duplicate threads. Sometimes you want YOUR story to be heard.

It really depends on the tone of the response. Sometimes the redirections to old posts is intentionally showing frustration to the OP but usually it seems the responder is being helpful IMHO

There are ways to redirect to another thread....and there are rude responses. They are within the Terms of Service but are rude nonetheless.I know us "old timers" are sometimes tried of the same old posts....tattoos, ADN/BSN, Pearson vue, NETY (Nurses Eating Their Young), bullies.....but members, new and old, have moments they need to take about it themselves. EVERY MEMBER is entitled to post what they wish (within the TOS) even if it is old news to others.I think a respectful way to say this is old news is....This has been talked about a lot here...you might find what you are seeking on some old threads. There is a search feature ion the upper right hind corner of the page to search the site.The purpose of AN is to be supportive and polite. Terms of Service for Nurses | Nursing Students

Quote from ktbuggWell I find it rude when someone posts a very vague question (that's clearly a homework question) then becomes defensive and rude when we do try and help them by redirecting them to a place where said question has been answered. If you're searching for help- being redirected to a place where your question is answered is helping. As for venting- I understand reposting despite duplicate threads. Sometimes you want YOUR story to be heard.

I have noticed that an OP gets a better response to a repeat question when they start with " I know this has been discussed, but when I read XYZ, it didn't really answer my question....." or something to that affect. Then they generally get some new responses. Also, reviving an old thread does usually get some new answers.

If I direct someone to an old thread, it's not passive aggressive behavior - I'm just simply providing the OP with more answers, usually to a question I either don't have the answer to, or a question I've answered a million times over and don't feel like rewriting. I'm long winded 😀. I'm all for rediscussing topics. Things change, some things warrant an actual discussion vs re-reading things in a different context. But I'm also all for being thorough.