JFriedman Posted March 20, 2016 Report Share Posted March 20, 2016 Just thought I'd mention that I found the description of this forum, "a friendly, zero-tolerance setting" intimidating and off-putting. Zero tolerance for what? Beginners and novices are unlikely to know the ACBL's special meaning of "zero tolerance", and I see no reason to make them guess. I asked in alt.usage.english; a few people agreed and nobody disagreed. https://groups.google.com/forum/?hl=en#!topic/alt.usage.english/Fw3mvw-NC4k I'd recommend something more positive like "a friendly and polite setting" or "an atmosphere of friendliness and mutual respect". 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelandakh Posted March 25, 2016 Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 Hi JFriedman and welcome to the BBO forums. The ZT for the N/B forum refers to the idea that no question is too basic here and replies will be accommodating and friendly. By contrast, if someone asks a beginner question in the Expert forum it can attract something of a sarcastic reaction. This has nothing to do with the ACBL ZT policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
helene_t Posted March 25, 2016 Report Share Posted March 25, 2016 But Zel, the problem is that "zero tolerance" sounds hostile for people who are not familiar with the ACBL (or maybe wider American?) use of the expression as meaning "zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour" or some such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbradley62 Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 But Zel, the problem is that "zero tolerance" sounds hostile for people who are not familiar with the ACBL (or maybe wider American?) use of the expression as meaning "zero tolerance for anti-social behaviour" or some such.It even sounds hostile to some Americans who have been ACBL members for 30 years (like me). See this excellent entry in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_tolerance_%28schools%29 . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenberg Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 It even sounds hostile to some Americans who have been ACBL members for 30 years (like me). See this excellent entry in Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia...e_%28schools%29 .I find the phrase Zero Tolerance to be pretty awful and the way it often works in practice to be even worse. However with BBO I have never experienced any problems. I take it in the spirit that it is intended here. When I was a beginner someone told me not to underlead a king. So I led the king. Seemed stupid, but if my betters thought it right, I supposed that it must be. I think we are being asked to recall the early stages of our life and show a little restraint. Bad phrase, good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bbradley62 Posted March 26, 2016 Report Share Posted March 26, 2016 Bad phrase, good idea.Agreed. I think that is exactly OP's point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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