When you leave a comment on a post, you start or join a conversation. Being part of a conversation means adding to the discussion, bringing forth new information, engaging others in discussion or just being entertaining. Like guests at a party, just because you’ve accepted an invitation to comment, doesn’t mean there isn’t commenting etiquette that’s expected. Whether you’re a seasoned commenter, or commenting on Baristanet for the first time, we’ve got some guidelines for joining the online conversation and adding to the Baristanet online community.

Don’t change the subject.

Imagine you’re in your favorite coffee shop and talking passionately with a group of people about a new development in town. Then some joker walks in and says “How about those Jets?” Don’t be that joker — comments are open on a specific blog post to generate discussion about that topic. Wait for an open thread or better yet, write to tips@baristanet.com and ask us to start one.

Bring something new.

Think you have an original thought? Sure, maybe you do. Or maybe 10 other people have left the same insight in comments. Before you hit publish, take a moment to see where the discussion is, and whether you can add something new to it. If reading all the comments takes too long, don’t comment.

Mind your manners.

If you’re a nasty, cranky person who condescends to people in real life and as a result is tolerated by very few people, this site is not your new social whipping boy. Name-calling and repeated nastiness will be rewarded with a ban from the site. Not sure what would get you banned? Best not test it. That goes for using profanity, too.

No one cares how smart you are.

Really, except perhaps your mother (maybe.) We love to know we’ve gotten something wrong – a typo, an errant semi-colon, a misspelling. There’s just a right way to do it. Either leave a comment like “heads up – you’ve got a typo.” Or send an email to tips@baristanet.com pointing out a mistake. We won’t go to your work and announce your screw-ups; please refrain from being a jerk about ours.

Comment clarity counts.

Remember, we can’t see your face. The same sentence can read genuine or sarcastic – and easily be taken the wrong way. Take extra care here to make your message clear and avoid making unintended online attacks.

Don’t hide behind your anonymity.

It’s fine to have an online handle and opt not to use your real name (especially since your boss would freak if he/she saw how much time you spent online). It’s not alright to out someone else, or be otherwise cowardly by making accusations or character attacks against someone you name specifically when you are hiding behind the cloak of anonymity. If you can’t own it, don’t say it. If you do, it’s you who will be banned.

Respectfully disagree.

We all don’t agree on everything, and sometimes people say some stupid things. You wouldn’t call them out face to face – so don’t do it here. You can state your piece and disagree with someone without insulting that person. Believe me, I know you can do it.

Beware commenter’s remorse.

We can’t tell you how many times we’ve gone in to delete comments from people who didn’t want to say what they said. Call it commenter’s remorse. Either way, the comment gets seen by hundreds, even thousands, before it gets deleted (never mind that it lives in Google’s cache). So think before you comment, especially if you’re angry, cranky, high, drunk or all of the above.

Ignore the trolls.

If someone irks you online, they probably get a vicarious thrill from doing so. Don’t stroke their ego. Once you engage in the vitriol, you become part of it. Instead, drop a line to comments@baristanet.com and let our moderator know if you think someone has crossed a line.

Don’t bore us – and everyone else.

Some sites ban without warning anyone who leaves comments like “Not news”, “first” or “slow news day.” We’re not there yet, but we’re close. These comments are off topic and insulting. If you don’t like an item, ignore it. Every post doesn’t have to be for you. The site gets over 9,000 visits a day – so when you comment, you write to the audience we’ve taken time to develop. We want to protect that and protect the overall experience everyone has when they step into our hyperlocal online community. So play nice, or don’t play at all. Thanks.