| Revision as of 06:05, 27 June 2009 editJavert (talk | contribs)14,783 edits Removing mfd notice. The result of the debate was keep← Previous edit | Revision as of 09:39, 14 August 2009 edit undoSmokeyJoe (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers44,345 edits →Examples of poking: Fussing with another user's userspaceNext edit → | ||
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| * Adding block templates to a blocked user's page or talk page if the blocking admin has not | * Adding block templates to a blocked user's page or talk page if the blocking admin has not | ||
| * Having been asked not to (or otherwise knowing it is unwelcome), continuing to post on a user's talk page | * Having been asked not to (or otherwise knowing it is unwelcome), continuing to post on a user's talk page | ||
| * Fussing with another user's userspace | |||
| * Vandalizing high-traffic pages | * Vandalizing high-traffic pages | ||
Revision as of 09:39, 14 August 2009
 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Misplaced Pages contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Misplaced Pages's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. | Shortcuts |
 | This page in a nutshell: Some actions that may appear harmless or helpful, may actually be counterproductive or provocative and result in being growled at. |
Bears are lovely creatures that often hibernate and are, for the most part, non-violent. However, when poked, bears can become quite angry. As such, it’s always best to not poke the bear.
Examples of poking
- Following editors to articles they are editing during an unrelated dispute
- Adding wikibreak/retired tags to userpages of other users without their consent
- Adding block templates to a blocked user's page or talk page if the blocking admin has not
- Having been asked not to (or otherwise knowing it is unwelcome), continuing to post on a user's talk page
- Fussing with another user's userspace
- Vandalizing high-traffic pages
This metaphor could mean more than you intended
Be careful not to imply that a specific individual is a bear. In Russia "bear" may be a compliment, but elsewhere it can mean a rough or bad-mannered person and "like a bear with a sore head" means very irritable. Using "don't poke the bear" to hint that an editor is over-sensitive on a subject might not be true, and could be construed as a personal attack. You might also offend fellow editors if they think you are accusing them of "bear-baiting" – a cruel entertainment which involved setting dogs to attack a captive bear.
Analogous phrases
- The Latin phrase Nunquam titillius dormitorius draconis (the motto of Hogwarts) translates as "never tickle a sleeping dragon".