Picking up steam?
- Thread starter Senor Perfecto
- Start date
That is a great analogy!! The other metric is to track the amount of humidors for sale on your local Craig's List. While some are upgrading to larger storage, most of the ads state the reason for selling is that they are giving up the hobby.
With the popularity of all kinds of social networking and new cigar smokers seeking new and interesting ways to communicate and share their new found passion and excitement with fellow enthusiasts, it's easy to see why there is a rise in noobs....I'm an example of this phenomenon!
But forums are in serious decline as a way of social communication. So, when you come across a forum with an active and healthy membership level, it speaks volumes about the strength of its members
I do agree!
javajunkie
BoM July '12
this. people come because we are knowledgable, usually can sniff out interesting releases, sometimes because we do have some industry guys participate. people stay if and when they connect with other people. it's NOT the bombs or the deals or the scores, it's the dudes.
look around at anyone who has been here and active for over a year or two. we're here because this is our spot, our neighborhood. i see n00bs transition to long term members when they really let their guard down and actually connect with people. they wash out when they fail to make those connections. not sure how quantifiable that is, but it's what i see.
^^^I wanna LIKE this post with the thumbs up thingy, but I'm still in noob timeout!
In less than two months, I've almost hit a 1000 forum posts (I think this one is #956), mailed out 3 packages, received 1 (redirected another one somewhere else), chatted with a bunch of great people about a variety of topics, been schooled in how to do things properly, got called "brother" from day one, and have laughed many many times.
As a photographer, I've been active on a lot of forums over the years (and have created and/or moderated others) and they don't come close to the camaraderie I find here. But you're absolutely right - online relationships are pretty much the same as in-person: be willing to let your guard down, interact, have fun, and don't be an asshole. Do that and (as I am finding) you develop some pretty strong friendships here quickly.
Well said.
I find myself in this camp of budding long time members. I think this is an amazing brotherhood and I too have been considered a brothrr from my very first post! And when I have tried to meet up with fellow members on my trips, I have been met with resounding warmth! This is a pretty unique arena.
