Building a Productive Community
While our Code of Conduct outlines our core values, these guidelines provide more specific standards for participating in different areas of RedPillHill. Following these guidelines helps ensure that our community remains a valuable resource for everyone.
Forum Participation
Starting New Topics
- Use clear, descriptive titles that accurately reflect your topic
- Post in the most relevant forum category
- Check if a similar discussion already exists before creating a new one
- Provide enough detail in your initial post to start a meaningful conversation
- If seeking advice, be specific about what you're looking for
Replying to Discussions
- Stay on topic and contribute to the existing conversation
- Read previous replies to avoid repeating points already made
- Quote relevant parts when responding to specific comments
- Be concise and focus on adding value to the discussion
- Avoid posting just to bump a thread without adding new content
Content Formatting
- Break long posts into paragraphs for readability
- Use formatting options (bold, italics, lists) to organize your thoughts
- Avoid excessive use of ALL CAPS, which is considered shouting
- If sharing external content, provide context and explain its relevance
- Use content warnings when discussing sensitive or potentially triggering topics
Chat Room Etiquette
General Chat Behavior
- Respect the specific topic of each chat room
- Acknowledge new participants when they join the conversation
- Allow space for others to contribute rather than dominating the conversation
- Be mindful that text doesn't convey tone well—use clarity and emojis when helpful
- Remember that people may be reading but not actively responding ("lurking")
Real-Time Discussions
- Keep messages concise to maintain conversation flow
- Use direct mentions (@username) when responding to specific people in busy chats
- If joining an ongoing conversation, take a moment to read the recent history
- Be patient when waiting for responses, especially in less active rooms
- For complex thoughts, consider breaking them into multiple shorter messages
Scheduled Discussions
- Arrive on time for scheduled discussions if you plan to participate
- Review any provided materials or discussion prompts in advance
- Follow the moderator's guidance on turn-taking and topic progression
- Use the designated format for questions (e.g., "Q:" prefix)
- Respect time limits to allow all topics to be covered
Content Creation Guidelines
Article and Resource Submissions
- Content should align with RedPillHill's mission of fostering understanding about modern relationships
- Provide evidence or reasoning for claims and assertions
- Cite sources for statistics, research, or quotes
- Present balanced perspectives rather than one-sided arguments
- Avoid sensationalism or content designed primarily to provoke emotional reactions
Personal Experiences
- When sharing personal stories, focus on your own experiences and lessons learned
- Respect the privacy of others by avoiding identifiable details about other people
- Frame experiences as your perspective rather than universal truths
- Consider how your story might be received by people with different backgrounds
- Be thoughtful about the purpose of sharing personal information
Multimedia Content
- Ensure videos, images, and audio are relevant to the discussion
- Provide transcripts or descriptions for accessibility when possible
- Respect copyright and only share content you have the right to distribute
- Label content with appropriate content warnings if needed
- Consider file sizes and loading times for users with different internet speeds
Privacy and Safety
Personal Information
- Use discretion when sharing your own personal information
- Never share another person's private information without explicit consent
- Avoid sharing specific identifying details (full name, address, workplace) in public forums
- Remember that content posted online can potentially be viewed by anyone
- Private messages should remain private unless you have permission to share
Profile Information
- Choose a username that doesn't reveal too much about your identity
- Consider using a generic avatar rather than a personal photo
- Fill out profile information judiciously, sharing only what you're comfortable with
- Review your privacy settings regularly and adjust as needed
- Remember that profile information may be visible to all site visitors
Reporting Safety Concerns
- Report any concerning behavior using the site's reporting tools
- If you feel unsafe due to interactions on the site, contact moderators immediately
- Save evidence of problematic interactions (screenshots, message logs)
- Block users who are making you uncomfortable
- For serious safety concerns, consider contacting appropriate authorities
Sensitive Topic Guidelines
Discussing Difficult Topics
- Use content warnings when discussing potentially triggering subjects
- Approach sensitive topics with empathy and awareness of different experiences
- Focus on constructive discussion rather than sensationalizing difficult subjects
- Be especially mindful of tone when discussing contentious issues
- Recognize when a topic might be better suited for a more specialized support forum
Political and Cultural Discussions
- Keep political discussions directly relevant to relationship dynamics
- Avoid partisan generalizations about people with different political views
- Recognize cultural differences and avoid ethnocentric assumptions
- Be open to learning about perspectives shaped by different cultural backgrounds
- Remember that RedPillHill is a global community with diverse members
Financial and Legal Topics
- Clarify when you're sharing personal experience versus professional advice
- Include disclaimers when discussing legal or financial matters
- Encourage consulting with appropriate professionals for specific situations
- Be transparent about your qualifications when offering guidance
- Respect that laws and financial systems vary across different regions
Guideline Enforcement
Moderation Approach
- Moderators aim to enforce guidelines consistently and fairly
- Minor or first-time violations typically receive a friendly reminder or warning
- Repeated or severe violations may result in temporary or permanent restrictions
- Context is considered when evaluating potential violations
- Moderators focus on behavior patterns rather than isolated incidents
Feedback on Guidelines
These guidelines are not exhaustive and will evolve as our community grows. We welcome constructive feedback on how to improve them.