Topic #2 – To TOOT or not to TOOT
August 21, 2006
What do you think about tooting?
I am a non-tooter. I’ve been blessed to have many accomplishments in this industry but I don’t believe it pointing it out. I’ve always chosen to just keep it to myself (oh – I’ve done many a happy dance w/ my DH, don’t get me wrong) but I just think it’s kinda odd to do the whole “look at me! I’m a wEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEener!!!”
What are your thoughts? Please don’t pick on anyone w/ your responses.
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1.
Jillian | August 22, 2006 at 12:39 am
I’m not much of a tooter, either. I’ve had a couple pubs, but I did it for myself, not to impress the ‘cool crowd’.
2.
Colleen | August 22, 2006 at 1:09 am
I would toot if I had reason to…other scrappers are the only ones would actually GET the excitement of getting to toot! I love reading others toots and giving them congrats…so I assume others do too. Sure there are a few who see it as bragging…but I would think that those who see it that way are negative people see everything in a negative way.
3.
anon | August 22, 2006 at 1:37 am
I dont mind the toots. That was what the pub was created for.
4.
Layla | August 22, 2006 at 1:38 am
Not big on the tooting myself, but that’s because I’m really sort of shy and feel weird calling attention to myself.
I don’t really mind when others do it, though, because then I know when calls are going out.
What I cannot stand is the “veiled” tooting. Those who say, “Oh, does anyone have Fred’s (or Shawna at MM or Leslie Ayers phone number? I’m supposed to call her back and must have misplaced her number.”
Yeah, right. You just want to be bombarded with requests about why you have to return a call. Pffffffffttttttt.
5.
TracieClaiborne | August 22, 2006 at 2:10 am
I go both ways with the toots. I have never tooted because I feel like I would be going, “oh look at me! look at me!” and even though I’m naturally crazy and outgoing, I don’t like undue attention. Making someone laugh is okay for getting attention, but tooting feels like bragging to me. Maybe it was the way I was raised. I totally think it’s fun when other people toot and I like to know that the calls are going out.
There have been a very few times when I submitted to a call and the toots started and I felt bummed but I’m sure that happens to a lot of people!
Great blog!
6.
jessie | August 22, 2006 at 2:42 am
First of all… I hate tooting when it’s referring to a bodily function.
The term “toot” was coined to “toot your own horn” and it made sense… but somehow got twisted into something smelly and I don’t like that.
As for doing it myself, I used to, but not anymore. Most of my work comes from assignments… so it doesn’t make sense for me to announce that. And if I do get a call, I won’t share unless I know that people may be wondering if calls have started. But usually I wait and hope that others do it first.
7.
Jamie | August 22, 2006 at 2:44 am
Boy, I see this blog is off to a rip roaring start as well. With the originator saying that tooters are screaming “look at me I’m a weener” I mean, thats non judgmental right?? Could you not have just said, I personally don’t care to toot? I like that it is why the pub was created, and there are alot of people I am geniunely happy for when they toot. It’s nice to see alot of people get a slice of the scrapbooking pie, not just the chosen ones…
8.
justscrap | August 22, 2006 at 2:58 am
Jamie – I think the phenomenon of tooting just gets to be really abnoxious. Most people I know who scrapbook could care less about 2peas, The Pub, etc… And it’s just kind of weird! I don’t know of any other hobby/arena where shouting from the rooftops one’s accomplishments is smiled upon. A scrapbook/designer resume is one thing – that is where one shows off their accomplishments. A whole forum devoted to tooting is just bizarre to me.
OK – and then also – there is this thing where people will toot on multiple message boards. Seriously. Hopping from website to website to whoop-de-doo your accomplishments – I don’t get that. I’ve seen someone do that PLUS a mass email of their “big news”. That is overboard.
I’ve learned to live with all the tooting. It’s just part of the beast.
I also never said I was non-judgemental. I’m very judgemental. But it’s something I’m trying to work on. Generally I just roll my eyes and move on and I don’t hang out in the pub because it annoys me. Seriously – I do not frequent that hang out at all. If I do any posting it is on the Gen. scrapbooking board OR now the beginner’s board – I like to answer newbie’s questions.
9.
Leslie | August 22, 2006 at 3:08 am
Whenever I see the word “toot” in a thread title I can’t help but think of fart. Sorry.
10.
Ingrid | August 22, 2006 at 3:09 am
I’ve had some pretty silly toots, but I couldn’t help myself
. My family is supportive of my hobby but they don’t always *get* it when I get my layouts in a newsletter or gallery, and it feels good to share with people who understand how meaningful it can be.
“Sure there are a few who see it as bragging…but I would think that those who see it that way are negative people see everything in a negative way. ”
I agree. The thread titles I’ve seen usually say something like, “OMG…TOOT!!!!”, not “OMG…look at this TOOT or die a slow death!!!”. If they bug ya, skip ‘em!
11.
Jamie | August 22, 2006 at 3:29 am
I can appreciate your thoughts on the matter, but if we really want a place without the hostility of the others, we gotta nip it in the bud right here, know what I mean? I am a tooter, but thats because NO ONE i know personally scrapbooks, and no one here gets it. I toot at 2peas, I have 1 freind I call and I might toot where I dt at. But I do see how it could sometmes be overboard. If I was an Elsie/ Carey type that was published non stop, I wouldn’t toot everytime I’m sure.. Just my 2cents
12.
Flora | August 22, 2006 at 5:52 am
I’ve tooted once. And only because some friends convinced me I should. I don’t toot because to me, it’s just so obnoxious and self-serving. If the people in my life don’t “get” my excitement then I just keep it to myself. Having a few people who don’t know me cheer for me doesn’t really work for me.
I think that quite often, tooting is done with another motive. It’s not just to “share the excitement.” I think it’s sometimes done with the hope that someone will be impressed enough that you got whatever publication you got, they’ll ask you to do something else. Maybe that’s just me thinking that?
I don’t really care if there are toot threads, though. What works for me obviously doesn’t work for everyone! That said, I do tend to get a little annoyed when the entire first page is full of toots. It seems like when ST does page calls, there’s about 357 different people tooting.
I tend to just stay away from 2peas for a few days then. Because it bugs when there’s nothing to read or discuss other than toots.
13.
Just Scrap | August 22, 2006 at 10:28 am
I don’t think this site is meant to be non-negative. I think the point is actually for it to be a place where people can vent, say what they feel and think and debate. If you want a place that is overall non-negative to discuss the industry – The Pub is a great place to do that – or go to Pink Martini.
My point with this blog is to have the equivelent of Scrap Critic – without the personal name calling and bashing. If it gets out of control like Scrap Critic did I would just shut this down.
But I do think there should be a place on the net where we can discuss the industry, say what we think and not feel the need to sugar coat everything.
My attitude towards the tooting phenom aside, I am not going to hold back with my posts for fear that I come across as negative and offend someone. But I am not going to call anyone a whore either and I won’t allow posts like that to stand here.
Do you see where I am coming from?
14.
Layla | August 22, 2006 at 12:25 pm
I think it’s going to be a problem is honest opinions are construed as judgmental. There’s a difference between saying you find a phenomena weird and saying someone looks like a man.
15.
pink1492 | August 22, 2006 at 1:24 pm
Honestly I don’t read toots. I find them annoying and taking up space from real topics. I can understand if it is a first pub or if it’s big like HOF, but do you really need to toot because you made a top 10 of a website? I think people get carried away too much. I think it’s the same with praise. There was a post a week or two ago about how someone needed priase and didn’t feel validated if they didn’t have it on a normal basis. To me that says you’re not comfortable enough with what you make. I love what I create and it’s great if other people like it but it doesn’t validate what I do just because other’s like it.
16.
Rachael Giallongo | August 22, 2006 at 2:10 pm
This is a tough one. To me, tooting is sharing with friends the excitement of an accomplishment. I think this concept applies across all industries. It just so happens that our friends in this case are online. I toot maybe 25% of the time now. I feel like I have been very blessed to have my work selected for publication, but I also don’t need to cross the line to bragging or putting salt in a wound of those not chosen. I save my toots for something I deem to be extra special! (I am in agreement with the poster above about tooting being carried away and that it should be for special occassions).
17.
A. | August 22, 2006 at 2:51 pm
I don’t mind the posts about accomplishments that much. I do think they have gone overboard though. there are women who post every time something happens for them scrapbooking wise. Tooting doesn’t get you anywhere except for popular in the Pub. I guess if that’s what you are going for, then toot away.
oh and I hate the term toot. have from the beginning. It grates on me.
18.
S | August 22, 2006 at 4:44 pm
I hate the word toot too! YEACH! It sounds SO silly!
Maybe that is my problem too – that I get the impression that some (by all means not all -just some -) tooters have an alterior motive. Some toots are flat out promotions for various websites – thus breaking two peas TOU – and I think that is tacky as well.
It is just a little on the tacky side, huh?
19.
sherri | August 22, 2006 at 7:09 pm
I have only had a couple of pages published and I didn’t toot, mostly because no one would know who I was anyway and I didn’t want to call attention to myself.
I don’t usually read the toot threads on 2peas unless I am curious to see what calls are going out, otherwise I just ignore them.
I think if others want to toot, then that is fine by me.
As for the negativity or being judgemental, I think what justscrap is trying to get across is that you CAN say that you don’t like tooting, you CAN say you think it is bragging or whatever, it takes a different tone and turn when you say something like “it drives me crazy when I see _______(fill in the blank with someone’s name) tooting all the time, doesn’t she have something better to do, etc etc.
I am all about a friendly debate…where we share our side, agree or disagree and in the end no one walks away feeling personally attacked but with a different perspective to ponder…..
20.
Anonymous | August 23, 2006 at 1:35 am
I’m fine with people sharing their excitement over an accomplishment, but when a person is being published regularly and still toots every little thing, it can appear a little braggy. I tooted my first pub but I felt weird about it, so I haven’t since. Some toots are silly, too… like the BG gallery, who cares? Maybe I’m the only one, but I think getting into an online gallery on a manufacturer site using the manufacturer’s product is not that big of an accomplishment. JMHO
21.
pink1492 | August 23, 2006 at 2:13 pm
You know what I would love? If for every magazine call or DT there was only one post congratulating the winners. Right now the Pub is drowned in AC toots. To me their annoying because I have to wade through them to get the real stuff. Do people realy need 5 posts with congrats?
22.
TAFKA Jae' | October 16, 2006 at 1:49 pm
I don’t care for the tooting. To me, it’s immodest when not done with tact, and there are a few who are so immodest that even the people who do toot with grace are seen as braggers.
I’ve never tooted for any DT’s that I landed. Why? Because they aren’t that big of a deal (well the 1st one was, but subsequent ones are just gigs). Should I throw in here that I am rarely ever on more than 1 DT at a time, so please don’t misconstrue my last sentence. I’ve shared with my 2 online sisters and maybe a few others through pm, but never in a thread.
If I were ever to get published I might toot simply because it’s a milestone, after that, nope.
I’m sorry, but I’d rather have people pm me to congratulate me (if they want) after they see my work, I don’t feel the need to say “look at me! I’ve gotten a little bit of the spotlight!”… and that’s exactly how I would see it if I were to toot for every published gig.
Maybe I was just dropped on my head as a youth, I just see all of the tooting as Me-ism that is eminating from a spoiled ID as my psychology professor would’ve said. Validation is a wonderful thing, it’s empowering and warm and sickly sweet, but it’s all the more sweeter if it comes unbidden.
I do want to offer my 2 pennies about the structure of comments on this blog. This is, from my understanding, a platform for honest discussion of scrap-related topics. Where as personal attacks and irrelevent comments bent on only hurting others should have no place here, I don’t think that it is fair to lump any and every statement that doesn’t elicit a warm fuzzy to be as such. The “look at me! I’m a wEEEEEEEEEEEEEener!!!” comment didn’t fall into the category of the uncalled for. It was actually pretty funny, and nobody was hurt (unless you’ve actually posted look at me I’m a wheener in your toot posts). I applaud the blogger for establishing some ground rules (i.e., no personal attacks) and I also applaud her for acknowledging that just because it SOUNDS like the shoe may fit your foot, it doesn’t mean that anyone was talking bad about you. If you are guilty of the actions that are mentioned in an otherwise generalized comment, then that’s a battle that you need to fight with your inner demons. To chastise someone because you feel that you resemble their statement is a dog that won’t hunt.
I think that we are fully capable of keeping this blog acceptable without tearing people down AND without asking people to sugar coat their opinions. If I wanted to hear nicely coined comments, I’d go elsewhere.
23.
Freddie Rick | September 7, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Wanted to say hello – Freddie Rick
Thanks!
Freddie Rick
Freddie Rick