I will likely make some terrible grammatical and spelling errors here to prove that deep down I truly am not that bright...

Can we please try and aim for a level of grammar in posts on the forum such that they are comprehensible. I understand that language usage is "evolving" with the texting revolution and email and I am ok with this. I also understand that there are people here, for whom english is not thier first language, of course most of those people write better posts than some of the english speaking people here.

I must admit that this rant was not brought on by any particular post here rather it was inspired by an email I got for an amp I have for sale online. There are enough posts here that a quite sad though and hopefully we can all try to do a little better. If this doesn't make you want to poke out your eyes so you can't read it again, I don't know what will. Anyway enjoy the email I got, I am copying it below, it's a good laugh, and if you want to help translate it to english for me please feel free.

"amp cool need fast and go 275 lower possible if i come today ready if call work out with frend mark he say that i shud pay no more 200 and used to work at musicstop in valey i think this would be good for medal and rap stuff i play but not sure can you find some exmples to me or think not

call or msg me"

There you go. I think he wants to pay 200 based on some dude named Mark that worked at a music store. Either way I don't want this person coming to my house so I am not responding out of principle.

_________________
CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

If you posted a " For Sale ", then you have to respond, that is your obligation once you post some item for sale.
As far as coming to your house, I would never have anyone come to my house for a look at what I am selling. You have no idea who this person is and aside that his grammatical skills leave much to be desired, you can meet him somewhere public.
When I sold my LPC back in 93 even back then I met with the potential buyers in a public place, most definitely not anywhere near my home.

You may also find that this person is quite cool and his disadvantage being from a non english speaking background and at the moment he is still learning the language.

From his E-Mail response, his point of view is that he does not know you either and is wary of being ripped off.
You guys are going to have to negotiate, when selling an item you do want to list it a bit high so that you have some wiggle room for negotiation without taking a bath.
Bear in mind that it is rather simple enough to see the average selling price for the item you are selling on the net. So Many people think they have limited editions that can command a high price. Not the case.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

i couldn't agree more. i have spelled words wrong several times myself, but always try to make sure that i type cohesive sentences.

think about this- if you owned a company, and you had 2 candidates you are consideing for the job- who would you likely hire. the one who speaks and writes properly, or the onewho misspells every word on the application?

i really worry about the next generation- they hide behind computers, write scathing letters' and have little communication skills. not saying all are that way mind you, but go to a store where young people are employed, and observe what you see. you find some are reaaly friendly attentive, and know how to treat you, and some who you wonder how they even got that job.

"Cool amp, I need it fast,but would it be possible to lower the price to $275?
I can come today, call me if you're ready. My friend mark says that I shouldn't pay any more than $200, and he used to work in a music shop in the valley.
I think this would be good for the metal and rap stuff that I play, but I'm not sure. Can you find some examples of the amp in use to support or refute this notion?

Call or Mono-Sodium-Glutamate me"
Clearly English isn't this person's first language other wise they wouldn't keep using the phrase "possibe if".

_________________
Rated "M" for meaty.

Be funny if you met the guy and found out he is going to study abroad at Oxford majoring in English. >_>

_________________
I traded my car in for a microphone.

I am not trying to pick on someone with english as a second language...the name on the email is Steve Maclean...sounds pretty english to me.

_________________
CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

i see what you are saying. i'll be the first to say that my spelling sux, and needs improvements. i do have to agree with magnatone about you being obligated to
reply to him. i do agree that this guy might end up being right down cool as anybody you know, and open to some free time jams if your up for it.

_________________
63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

It is also then likely that he messaged you from a smart phone.
It drives me Batty since often the language looks like a cross between morse code and hyroglifics.

Just keep an open mind and get on with it, the aim is to sell the item and since it has been mentioned as far as High/low price I would suspect you'll be in the middle between 275 and 200.
On the other hand, how desperate are you to sell and how many potential buyers do you have ? This will dictate the final negotiated price.

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

He probably is, though three of the IT people where I work Anglicized their names and go by a purely English name at work. One is from Taiwan and the other two from the Philippines. None have great English skills but they chose American names to get along better with co-workers, just as they also try to dress American and follow our customs to a point.

Our last three audit team leaders (all California CPAs) have come from the Philippines where they work for a finance outsource. Each is here as an advanced intern and one requirement of them is that they go by an American name. As advanced interns, they're also required to speak English at all times even in the presence of fellow countrymen. They're very advanced and their English is nearly flawless. But (and finally getting to my point), those not so advanced work at the firm back in the Philippines and they too are required to use an English name and as much English slang as they know when communicating with US clients.

I called my bank the other day and spoke to a very nice Indian man in their overseas call centre called......Ken......

So yeah, who know who's behind a name?

Of course, reading an educated communique is infinitely more desirable than having to decipher some ignorant and/or slang gibberish.

For those who speak English as a second language, I commend them for their efforts and do not lump their efforts into the aforementioned gibberish, good, bad or indifferent. Ironically, there are more trying to learn English as a second language than those of us who speak it as our first language trying to learn another.

Now granted, we all can't be Rhodes Scholars and occasionally we will be dealing with individuals who are indeed, profoundly ignorant. ("There by the Grace of God...") Yet, I personally have no problem with this ilk as long as I can catch their drift. My problem lies with having to, for lack of a better word, "regress" so that I can communicate effectively with them where they can (hopefully) comprehend what I'm trying to convey.

_________________
You dig?

It all starts and ends in our public schools where the PC feel good agenda has teachers instructing students not to worry about proper mastery of the English language but rather to celebrate diversity, slang and the nuances of spoken word. There is no right or wrong so that no one gets their feelings hurt. Kids don't know the difference between there and their or lose and loose. And this is ok because the public school system teaches them to feel good about their errors and calls it "individuality" rather than teaching them to master the English language and use proper grammar. We can't have the students who can't even speak their first language properly feeling bad about themselves while those who strive to excel and master the language leave them behind can we. No, everyone has to be equal: equally ignorant.

_________________
Blues with a feeling.

GUILD GUITARS: MADE TO BE PLAYED!

wow. just wow. I tend to disagree that you owe the individual a reply. That's a separate issue from the grammar/spelling in the quote. It's possible that the writer isn't a native speaker of English, but it just doesn't read that way. the lack of punctuation and capital letters is the tip off for me. I tend to think that it's just spelling and grammar that is simply horrific. I would steer clear of any contact, but I'm an opinionated a@#$%le about that kind of thing.

Ah Yes, the myth that we are all equal and capable of the same achievements.
Ignorantly promoting the Lemmings factor.

Well put BCB

_________________
"C'est parti mon Kiki "

im sorry but Wat's up with this topic again Wat's going on?

_________________

Liandra "guitargurl"Smith