Why Won't People Listen?

[axeman25]

Hello Everyone,
Just kind of venting here a bit. I recently joined several Facebook groups for Tortoise lovers and such. I had to leave a couple of the groups just because of some of the info being given out and what some of these people were doing with their torts. I have pasted the link to the care sheets from this site on so many post that I've lost count. I see people constantly doing things that are more harm than good. Some of the advice is good, don't get me wrong, but I see different species in the same enclosure that require completely different needs, people feeding their torts all the wrong stuff, and these same people asking questions on why their tort looks sick or is acting weird. There's been way to many post from new owners who are asking all the questions they should have asked before they made that impulse buy because it was so cute. Then they argue with you after you answer their questions because Joe petstore employee said this. Some people are willing to listen though, there is a guy from England who is getting a tort and posted his enclosure in one of the groups. It was 2'x2'. Several people had told him he needed it larger so he rebuilt it much bigger. He messages me several times a week to ask questions and give me updates on how things are going, which I think is pretty cool. I have directed him here for care sheets and advice as well.

Again, sorry about whining on here, I just get frustrated at peoples laziness.

So I just wanted to let the good people here know that I appreciate all the advice you give and I try to follow suggestions for the welfare of my torts. I also have been bragging about this forum in the groups and posting the link quite often to try and get people to stop in and check it out. Hope everyone is having a great day.

 

[Jodie]

It is frustrating when people ask the questions, but refuse to accept the answer. Good for you for trying. That is great news that you reached at least one. Every one that listens is a save. So even though you are frustrated. And feel no one is listening, some are.

 

[johnandjade]

sad thing is its the torts that suffer . frustrating, yes it must be! however.. out of 100, if 1 takes advice then you HAVE made a difference

keep on at it, you will get through to some

 

[Yvonne G]

You can write up several different types of answers for the different questions and save them, then when the question comes up, just copy/paste your response. Saves time and energy. So when you want to tell someone about the hot and humid method for baby sulcatas, you just copy/paste the "monsoon time of year" paragraph that you have saved.

All you can do is just keep repeating it over and over and try to not let their "I'm-so-dumb-I-don't-know-how-I-make-it-through-the-day" responses get to you. Remember, he's not the only one reading your message. Some people reading it get the message.

 

[johnandjade]

@Lyn W ...any update on the 'print off a poster' idea?? seams like everyone here is actively trying to get the word out

 

[axeman25]

I paste this forum link and tell them that everything you need to know is right here, stop being lazy and take two minutes to look up the answer because every question you've asked has been answered here by people who've been doing this for years. I try not to be rude to people........at first. But people who continuously ask basic care questions about a tort they've had for two weeks really annoy me. I had been doing quite a bit of research for months before I got a Russian, then ended up with three to start and I just got two more given to me, and I had some stuff wrong so I had to rework the enclosure. People get mad at you for trying to save them money and heartache. There was an issue this morning where a guy's baby sulcata died. He said it was because the store told him it didn't need a water dish but then said he soaked it a half hour every day. Really? I'll keep plugging away and if I don't check back soon it's because I had a heart attack do to the stress of talking with morons.

 

[Yvonne G]

... I'll keep plugging away and if I don't check back soon it's because I had a heart attack do to the stress of talking with morons.

This is why I don't read or belong to any of those groups. I only belong to the Facebook turtle and tortoise classified.

 

[johnandjade]

well, you might have a perfect chance here! im awaiting to find out if i can save a russian.. and only have started researching them. if i do manage to get him/her it'll be a custom build indoor.

would you mind if i pm you for pointers?

 

[Yvonne G]

Who, me? It would be better if you make a thread for your pointers. I keep my Russians outside all the time, and they really take care of themselves. I'm not a good person to ask for pointers.

 

[johnandjade]

Who, me? It would be better if you make a thread for your pointers. I keep my Russians outside all the time, and they really take care of themselves. I'm not a good person to ask for pointers.

, sorry forgot to quote:/. ment axeman

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

This is why I don't read or belong to any of those groups. I only belong to the Facebook turtle and tortoise classified.

He has 105 posts and Yvonne has 51000 posts . Yvonne how do you keep from pulling every hair In your out . It's a well deserved question ! Have a great tort day ! Smile !

 

[Tom]

I started working in sales at 14 years old. Pet store. Dealing with people rejecting or refusing to accept your words is just part of the deal. You get used to it, or you find some other job to do.

I mentally celebrate the victories and people/animals I can help, and I mentally dismiss those who I won't accept the help. My catch phrase is "You can't save the world, but you might be able to help a few people if you try…". I try.

I get "thanks you"s often from people who appreciate the help and can see the obvious results of proper care. Those 'thank you"s get me through the day when people answer back how careful they are and how its perfectly fine to let their tortoise wander around their house… Or when they tell me that wild tortoises live on sand, so they think sand is fine to use as a substrate, or that tortoises get all their water from their food, or that "forced" soaking is bad for tortoises despite obvious overwhelming evidence to the contrary, etc…

Quitting, giving up, and leaving those sites will not result in tortoises being helped. It will result in more of the same bad care, and more of the same wrong info repeated. My request is that you keep trying in spite of the ignorance, stubbornness and frustration. I guarantee to are helping some readers and their tortoises, and I also guarantee you are planting "seeds" in some people's heads that in time will "bear fruit". If you or somebody else doesn't plant that seed of knowledge, then that person's tortoise will be doomed to a sad fate forever. Each of us has the choice to be that seed planter, or just sit back and do nothing because people can be frustrating and ignorance is annoying.

Your choice.

 

[Tidgy's Dad]

Some people listen.
i think most people listen and learn, only a few are stubborn enough to refuse good advice.
Keep posting the info and the word spreads.
This forum and many of it's members save tortoise lives and improve the quality of life of hundreds more.
Keep at it.

 

[Yvonne G]

He has 105 posts and Yvonne has 51000 posts . Yvonne how do you keep from pulling every hair In your out . It's a well deserved question ! Have a great tort day ! Smile !

(Sh-h-h ***Yvonne whispers - When it starts to get to me I just take a couple days off.***)

 

[Lyn W]

@Lyn W ...any update on the 'print off a poster' idea?? seams like everyone here is actively trying to get the word out

Not yet I did ask if Josh had said anything about it to any of the mods but I haven't checked to see if anyone got back to me

 

[144 Grandpa Turtle]

(Sh-h-h ***Yvonne whispers - When it starts to get to me I just take a couple days off.***)

I been here over two years and I've never seen you take a day off your always here for us !

 

[ALDABRAMAN]

It is frustrating when people ask the questions, but refuse to accept the answer.

~ I find this also, especially when they call you back and continue to have the same issues without taking any correct measures from the previous hour conversation!

 

[Tom]

~ I find this also, especially when they call you back and continue to have the same issues without taking any correct measures from the previous hour conversation!

Remind you of anything from the dog training world?

 

[wellington]

If you can post pics, along with your info, it may help. You know the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words,or something like that. When they can see the proof of what you say, it might sink in faster. It's hard to convince people, when there are other forums and websites out there that may be saying the opposite, or not saying anything at all, just letting people do as they want.

 

[axeman25]

If you can post pics, along with your info, it may help. You know the old saying, a picture is worth a thousand words,or something like that. When they can see the proof of what you say, it might sink in faster. It's hard to convince people, when there are other forums and websites out there that may be saying the opposite, or not saying anything at all, just letting people do as they want.

Good point. I do post pics if requested or I feel it necessary for people to see what I'm talking about. But literally, anything I post on has been learned here from you good folks.