 | This is an essay. It contains the advice or opinions of one or more Wikipedia contributors. This page is not an encyclopedia article, nor is it one of Wikipedia's policies or guidelines, as it has not been thoroughly vetted by the community. Some essays represent widespread norms; others only represent minority viewpoints. |
Here at Wikipedia, we endeavor to treat all newbies with courtesy and respect. Unfortunately, being on the internet, we have to deal with hordes of clueless users on a regular basis. Answering the same stupid questions over and over understandably tests our patience, especially as we are volunteering our free time to curate this encyclopedia.
Editing Wikipedia requires common sense and the ability to think critically. We are willing to assist you in making Wikipedia a credible, scholarly reference work if you are willing to put in the effort to make constructive contributions. Leaving an intelligent comment on a user's talk page goes a long way towards establishing your constructive intent and reaching a solution amicable to both parties. Consequently, there are certain things you can do when contacting established users to help avoid an unpleasant experience.