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Ok, so this is just something I am going to throw out there for those who detest stamps and insist that no one put any on your page or you will rate them a "1". First thing, that is childish, you should rate the profile fairly...as is so stated in your own profiles that is the wish that everyone else do. Rating someone's profile a "1" because they violated the code o' the page is certainly not fair. Secondly I do read your profiles, that is why I know you hate stamps. I also know why you hate them...because you feel that people aren't really reading said profiles, and are just scrolling to the bottom of the page to rate you. This is not an argument that this does not happen, and frankly...it does happen and there is little or nothing that any of us can really do about it besides piss and moan. This is my view on stamps: I paid good money to attain a premium membership, one of the privileges I get for the precious dinero, that I work so hard for every day, that I spent for said membership is the ability to use stamps. It seems daft for me to pay for something and not take full benefit of it. To me, this is as silly a concept of buying a Rolls-Royce, and letting it sit in a garage for your entire life...taking it out only ever so often to run the engine, wash, dry, and wax, then put it back in it's dusty over-sized box with a tarp on it. I do read your profiles, and I do see your point, but I have the right to use theses stamps as long as they are in accordance with the rules and regs that are setup for the site. Now, all that being said...I don't rate every profile I see a "10", those that I do, in my opinion, need no further comments. If I rate a profile any less than "10", that is when you will be getting a comment, telling you why I rated you thus. And on the occasion that I find a profile that is simply and breathtakingly beautiful to me...I will rate your profile a "10" and you will definitely get a message about how much I enjoyed the profile.

I totally 100% agree with this post. Just because I put a stamp on it, doesnt mean I didnt read the profile! I also made the stamp, which took time and effort. its part of the premium membership... so stop whining about it!

I guess I should have added that. Yes, you worked on your page and you are proud of it, you want people to recognize you for it, and you should because of those reasons. But people also work hard on their stamps and want to show them off as well. Isn't it only fair to let them?

thats it exactly. its an expression of art. something that I put my thoughts and feelings into.. and i also want to show them off, what better place to do it, then putting it on your profile. I also make protection stamps, bites, etc etc. some of the many joys I get out of VR :D

I make use of the stamp.. and rate anywhere from 5 to 10 depending on the profile I read.
I give the occasional one for certain things as stated on my profile at bottom as to how I rate.
I think if I add a message to the stamp, which I do occassionally, those who get it know what I'm doing.

And I agree with having paid for the right to use the stamp and other features of the premium membership. I like that I support the site as I do and work to be a part of it.

And oh, working on images for a stamp or a bite.. or even one for other special messages... is fun, nice to have , and should be appreciated by those that receive them.

How sad that there has to be a thread discussion on people who can not accept
individuality in any form.

I know of someone that will block you if you just leave a stamp in the comment box. It kind of discouraged me from rating them.

people are so funny i rate everyone a ten because i believe they put their heart into it and to them it is artistic and if i knew how to make a stamp i would use it

I usually rate even if they do threaten to block me. I've read the profile, therefore I stamp it. If they block me, then its THEIR loss. :)

Damn straight, let the "kids" be kids, the rating system is there for a reason, and should be used for that reason. As this subject is deader than a doornail, I can comment no further since my opinions have been repeatedly stated. If I rate a one, I hated the pro as it had no info to begin with. I rate how I rate...If you have problems with my stamp...Tuff Titty.

Oh stamps... I do so love them. Quite honestly, I dont see what the problem with them could possibly be unless it's one of those huge beastly stamps that stretch your page out for miles. Maybe then I can understand some anger. But to say "don't stamp me" and then rate some one lowly just because of their stamp (after they more than likely rated you higher than you deserved) without taking into consideration how much work went into their own profile... thats just rude!

I stamp everyone, even if they say not to. I make it very clear in my profile what I do when I rate profiles. If those dumb asses who seek revenge on a stupid stamp rate a person lowly, they should really rethink their reasoning to be here. Stamps are a huge part of VR, they should just get over themselves and get used to it.

Thats my personal opinion and rant.

If I read on the profile no stamps please then I don't stamp....it's called being polite, if others choose to block stampers in the future it's called personal choice.

the only time a stamp becomes a problem is when its too big and knocks your page for six.

I for one use stamps, but the main goal is to rate profiles fairly. Just because I stamp your profile/portfolio, does not mean that I don't view or read it. I rate very fairly, probably more than most. But that is my rating system, as we all have our own.

As for those who state on their profiles that they give 1's for stamps, I agree with this thread, it is childish. Being able to stamp is a right and a ability for premium members and a function of this site.

I,too, utilize stamps, and I have, to be honest, intentionally stamped a profile that did not want stamps. What boggles me is this: I have recently received a stamp from a person that requested stamps not to be used on THEIR profile. If you do not like stamps on your page, then do not stamp others. I have paid for my membership, and I shall use what has beed awarded me for my supporting V.R. If you do not like it, then block me! Chances are, if you are going to be childish about the issue, then you are probably someone whom I do not wish to assciate with anyway.

remember it's up tot hat person what they rate. alot of people hand out 10's to WHELPS like there candy. no whelp deserves a 10

I disagree. Some whelps do take time out to create a pretty unique profile, and many have actually posted interesting information about themselves and their home-town. I rate all a 10. This is my personal choice, and,if you will, a silent protest.

I think the use of stamps is great. I personally like seeing them.
When I stamp a profile.....if I feel there is something extra I want to say about that profile I usually message them. But over all I love using my stamp.......its so sexy.....and reflects a bit of me....

I have not yet layed out my rules of rating (ie: what I use to determine what rate i give out), but there is a notice somewhere on mine that states that I read profiles, and stamp them. As it has been stated before, if you work hard on a stamp that you then pay money for the privilage to use...why would you NOT use it? I'm sorry, but I stamp and that's that.

I use my stamp as I see fit. I made it myself and it isn't some generic glitter graphic you will find on the web. Generally, I won't use it if someone really doesn't want me to, but if I'm feeling saucy I will use anyway. Its my option and I choose to exercise that right as I see fit..

i stamp.

unless sumthing intrests me.

but, rating so much, i hardly see anything that does anymore.

a whelp doesent deserve a 10, because they have not been ehre long enough, and 99.99999999999999999% of welps profies suck. when iw as a welp, i was happy to get a 4. but now my pro is like, ticke dout, i expect 9's or 10's.

* i ment tricked out......it sent before i could reread and fix my errors

This is a valid concern being expressed.

However, the way Cancer set up the rate system it is the perogative of each individual to rate as they see fit.

If someone wants to rate everyone who referances "juggalo" a 1, it's their business.

If someone wants to rate everyone who mentions "wicca" a 10, again, it's their decision.

If someone wants to rate you a 1 because you stamp their profile, well within their rights.

If the rates you recieve on your profile are THAT important to you, don't put a stamp where someone TELLS you they will downrate you if you do.

For my part, I have a stamp I use for all whelps and another I use for longer time members. If someone speciffically asks not to place a stamp when you rate their profile, I just pass on rating it at all.

It's just a WEBSITE! Does it really cause you such distress that the number associated with your profile might drop .0001 because someone rates you a 1?

The ability to stamp is a privilege that is bought and paid for with Premium membership. I take full advantage of it. I have even go so far as to add a message to my stamp stating that I have read every single word and looked at every single picture on the page, and I don't want them to come to me complaining that I used a stamp. I figure if there is something wrong with stamping, it wouldn't be an allowed option.

You are quite correct MTSoul. There is nothing wrong with stamping.

But, It's a more difficult concept to understand that there is also (according to the rules ov VR) nothing wrong with rating someone a 1 because they placed a stamp on your profile.

This isn't directed at you MTSoul, I'm using the "anonymous you"...

But it is very easy to understand YOUR rights or privilages, even when they may infringe on another's sensabilities.

Understanding someone else's rights or privileges when they infring on YOU sensibilities is another matter entirely!

depreving me of my payed right to stamp is lik eone said, haveing a cool car but because the neightboor dont buy one I cant use my car cause it would "impolite" to use it and "not repsecting"...
come on??? it is actually the oposite the one telling not to stamp their profiel is actually disrespecting me, plus the person is disrespecting Cancer since the stamping system for PM, was granted and created by him, therefore, when a person forbids us to stamp by threath or by donwrating us, they are in reality, fact, telling Cancer they disaproove of his work. So they are disrespecting his art and his site and his rules.

Personaly, most of the time if a person writes that 9 out of 10 times I wont rate at all, I wont evenread the profile at all, I'll stop as soon as I see that, and as a Sire, I know my rate makes a difference...If I choose to rate I give a 10...if after thye downrate me, I simply return the favor to show fairness.

I agree 100% I pay for my premium membership and if I want to stamp I will, I read every profile and rate accordingly and even when folks say dont stamp I do because I'm within my rights to do so. It's childish to rate a 1 because "you stamped me"... lol please let's behave like grown up's.

I agree with you 100% KCRC. Each person has the right to rate what they choose, which is why I didn't say that it wasn't fair for someone to rate me a 1 after I stamped them. If they want to rate me a 1, so be it. I won't turn around and "down rate" them, because that seems like a pointless game to me. The only action I would take would be a message asking why I got a 1, if their reason behind it wasn't clear. Trust me, I have no problems receiving 1 rates, as long as I know why they rated me that way.

I understand you're using me as a generalization, but I thought I would add my two-cents on being rated a 1 after stamping someone.

I don't mind stamps. Many of them are pretty, and some are frightening (in a good way). Increasingly, I barely notice them. They're kind of like ads --- my mind filters them.

I prefer a personal comment, and I try to give personal comments. Usually there is something that has grabbed my attention.

If there isn't or if I get a negative vibe (which scratches my sarcastic nerve), then I say nothing.

I love my stamps and take pride in using them.. I have created many stamps for other people here on vr.. and will continue to do so.. I personally do not rate straight tens you have to earn those and i refuse to give a 10 to someone who does not make an effort .. As for them rating back i dont care what im rated.. I wont die if i get 1s or if i am blocked

Hi! I am a very recent member to VR, and as a new "Mosquito" this is my first post. I am checking out the possibility of a Premier Membership and it seems to be a positive choice. I'm not sure yet what being "stamped" is all about; in fact I have not checked my profile to see if I received any!

In the meantime, I am enjoying getting to know members and having the priviledge to read and view member's profiles. I am just learning to post pictures and figure out HTML codes, and I admire those profiles that are elaborate, full of pictures and have beautiful backgrounds. From where I stand now, there's a lot of hard work and effort involved! Hoping and eager and learn more as I go along on VR. Most important, happy to be here and enjoying my stay! :0)

MTSoul, you make a good point. If a person has downrated you a 1 because you stamped them (and rated them fairly)... it is just as childish to return to their profile and return their "favor."

I really wish someone anti-stamp would post in here with their two cents on this subject, I'd be interested to see what their reasoning is... and what their response would be to ours. :)

I feel bad. I don't have a stamp. :(
I think that the profile is important to and sometimes it may seem that people don't read it but if your page is to long then it may be glanced over, for the time and came back to later. I love to see the stamps on my page. People get really creative.

I, personally, like seeing stamps others have made. Many people put as much time and effort into their stamp as they do their profile. If someone doesn't want a stamp, then be courteous enough not to leave one. It takes very little effort to leave a small comment or no comment at all.

i too use my stamp as much as i want too..I took the time to make it..plus that is my way of giving them my highest rating..and I Do read peoples profiles..i have been given a 1 from a few of them too for using my stamp..which is silly since i gave them a 10..but i won't be as childish as they are.

I think when someone doesnt want a stamp that you have worked really hard on then they should post on their page please no stamps. Because it get really frustrating sometimes when you go and rate someone and they dont let you.I believe it would be very respectful if they would let ya know ahead of time. Just thought i would add my view on this

You make an excellent point FortunateFool. I would very much like to hear from a "Don't Stamp Me" member to learn the reason behind their feeling.

Does it take any more effort or is their any "proof" that you read anything when one puts a comment of "Nice Pro"? Yet, apparently they would have no issue with that.

I hope in making my points above I did not come across wrong. I do think that downrating for using a stamp is childish. I enjoy seeing peoples stamps on my profile (except the ones that make the page s o w i d e !) and Ias I said, I use stamps myself. I guess I was just responding to some posts where people were indignant at the return rate of the anti-stamp people. Sadly, there are no restrictions against being childish here on VR! You have to prepare yourself to deal with such, and getting overly upset by actions which you could clearly anticipate is counterproductive.

I like using a stamp because its faster and more efficient. If we weren't meant to use stamps then there would be rules against it but there aren't any.

I am wondering the same thing as RC, in the words of Slim Shady...Marshall Mathers...Would the nay sayers of the stampage please stand up, LMAO!!! Seriously though, quite monitoring these posts and admit to posting the I hate stamp's in my profiles, and speak up for your convictions.

I am really looking forward to a conjecture. Just one will do.

I use a stamp...and I'm admitting that I don't rate as often as I should...but if and when I do rate and come across a pro that says no stamping...I'll opt not to rate that individual and more than likely will block them...:D

I love seeing stamps, unless they put my page all out of whack because they are too big. This is kind of irritating, but even then I don't go rate them a 1 or block them because of it! I am honored when people "stamp" me. I use my stamp as a seal of approval and I take others stamps as that.

The blocking is ones personal choice, I have blocked users in the past, not for the anti-stamping dialog, but for message spam about online dating. Blccking is your choice, but I do not see a reason for it just because a person does not like stamping...Just move on to the next profile. My opinion alone.

Harley..no matter who I am you seem to brighten my day LOL. You are right of course. Part of our priveleges as pm's is the ability to use stamps. I work hard on mine. I find it offensive to have someone say I can't use it. I have still read the page. If I hadn't..I wouldn't know that it is not enjoyed.

I stamp.
I hate the stamps that are too large and distort the well thought out designs of many of the profiles. I will always send the owner of such stamps a message requesting that the offending stamp be resized. I have yet to be refused, which is a good thing because I have no problem removing all of the offenders ratings and letting them start over from scratch.

After reading the above post, the request of resizing stamps is a good suggestion as more often than not, profiles are obfuscated by large stamps, and more of ten than not the owners of such stamps had no idea of how to resize. But whether or not, the profile is damaged by such sizings in my opinion noes no matter...As most have very exquisite themes.

This is a very good place to learn the html world, and I do thank the prince once again for giving the Rave to us. Even though the complaints are near and far. What ever the case may be...Stamps are an extremely well planned idea...More power to them.

I never understood what is the deal with all the stamps, on the other hand I never desired one.

But ppl are free to stamp what ever they feel they should on my profile, even if it is porn.

Kage, technically you can leave a stamp. Just make one, put it on a site like photobucket, copy the code, and paste it in the comment boxes of the profiles you rate. While it's not as convenient as the PM's little clicky box, it takes the same amount of effort...

Fortune is right about the side stepping of the stamp issue, but I would request permission from an acolyte before attempting this out of respect for VR itself.

I used a stamp that was made for me before I had a PM and caught no gruff for it. Maybe I was just lucky. I know for a fact that I wasn't the only non-PM doing so. So, I'm assuming there is nothing wrong with it. I could be wrong though.

Stamps are Stamps. They are just a graphic used to Rate people when they have nothing to say....I guess. Just kinda a cover-up to Rate the whole site without reading one sentence of any page.


I see no reason to Rant about it, forget Ranting about it in the Forums. Some people like Stamps, some don't You really can't do much in either case...except for simply Rant about it and...I guess...feel better then?

I agree with you, those who are premium members have paid money to have the benefits, one of which are stamps...
I have no problem with being stamped, seeing as I do the same thing. I leave a comment if I find something exceptional or something I don't like.
The one problem I have is free members stamping.

What's wrong with free members stamping?

They are a member, just like you and I. Just because they don't have a little button for stamping, doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to stamp like any of us do... I think that if we can take the time to create a stamp (for whatever purpose that may be from portraying ourselves to simply bypassing giving actual comments) then free members should be allowed the same privilege. Theres no harm done by them stamping, just as there is no harm in PM stamping.

Premium members pay for the privilege to have stamps, also, free members are supposed to have a unique comment for each profile. It's one of the benefits to being a Premium member, and they support VR by paying.

Stamps aren't an indication of a profile not being read. One can rate a profile without leaving anything (stamps, comments, etc) - In other words, if you can rate a profile without leaving any mark whatsoever, a stamp is at least further indication of wanting to let someone know you were there.

With stamping I use my stamp every single time and if something I read on the profile sticks out then I will add a comment along with it.

My only thing is the same KatKrypt. When free members "stamp" my page. According to the VR manual they are supposed to leave a custom comment if they want to comment. I even have disabled the right click to make it harder and I will block someone when they still go around that and stamp me.

Other than that I like them when they are from someone that paid to use them.

I don't see a problem with a stamp. It means that someone, a Premium member, took the time to pull up your profile or your portfolio and then respond to it. And some of the stamps are much nicer than many of the profiles.

I use a stamp ans I pay for the right to do so. I you do not like it , get over it

premim members arent the only ones stamping... free members can do it to by simply using html code. now what would make premium membership REALLY cool is if ya could use font stamps. like having a scroll box that pulls up a dozen prepared sentances for each number that you can rate. that way it gives the illusion of a thoughtful comment, when its no different than regular stamping, effort-wise.

I love using my stamp, and since becoming a premium member in June I've had several different ones. Telling a premium member not to stamp is like telling them they can't use lurking or they can't customize their journals... We pay for the right to do so.
And I agree, just because I stamp someone dosn't mean I don't read their profile. I have made everal friends on VR by reading and rating their profile and then messaging them.

I agree..i think its ridiculs to downrate sumone for a stamp, exspecially when sumone who says they hate there profile being stamped also uses stamps themselves. Very condradicting, and bogus. I also payed for my membership and i would like to get 100% what i payed for and for is useing stamps. I read every profile i rate, and when sumone says dont stamp i wont. Thats out of respect but rating sumone a 1 just because they stamped ur profile is just as rude as sumone not reading ur profile when u say dont stamp it. I am one of those people who have put soo much thought and time into my profile and hate it when u get downrated for sumthing as dumb as a stamp.

i always use my stamp and i could not care less if someone rates me a 1 am not here for the rating

i have found that those who warn us against using our stamps have very mediocre profiles anyway - so unless it is exceptional, i simply wont rate them at all. i do read the profiles, but some of them arent worth the effort of adding a comment. what should i write ? "I've given you a ten even though your profile is derivative, unoriginal, and a waste of bytes"?

Stamp or not, all I care about is that people who rate me actually read my page & rate me based on it. I've heard people complain that some stamps are so big that they mess up the layout of their page.

I personally have nothing against stamps... I think some people are just hard to please and take things too seriously.. Not wanting people to stamp your page seems a bit unrealistic if your page is on VR.. I also think rating someone a 1 or blocking them because they stamp your page is a bit over-reactive.. If this is your policy, I really do not need to read any further..this tells me much more about a person then they will ever reveal their page.

I might not have a premium membership but I love the diffrent stamps that appear on my page..I think they are great..I was a premium member before and I know I made my own and I know how hard it can be to actually come up with an idea for those stamps as well as putting all that effort into your profile..I agree 100% with Harlequin people just need to get over it.

Alright, since it was requested, I am going to disagree. First, as a disclaimer, I am not actually against stamps. I just think that someone needs to point out the other side to this argument.

Not one single person on this thread has the right to call anyone else childish. Not unless you want to get into the requisite "I know you are, but what am I?" Because saying, I'm going to stamp you/block you/refuse to rate you just because you don't want me stamping you, is hardly mature.

And yes, stamping is a privilege. But it does not give you the right to be disrespectful of your fellow human beings. People keep using the example of paying for something expensive (such as a Rolls Royce) and not being able to use it. But no one is telling you not to use it at all, all they are saying is not here and now.

Buying a $600 stereo system does not give you the right to play it full blast at 2 am, and buying a floodlight does not give you the right to point it at your neighbor's bedroom window. Buying something gives you the privilege of using it when appropriate, not the right to use it as a tool to be deliberately disrespectful.

Being a premium member does not make you a more worthwhile individual. All it means is that you have both the money and the inclination to buy your membership. Some people simply cannot afford that, and to act as though you have the right to treat them poorly because of it is just wrong.

I understand that many of you have worked very hard on your stamps, and want to show them off, but wouldn't it be a lot more productive to show them off to someone who actually wants to see them? Otherwise your stamp becomes nothing more than random advertising, like any other dumb billboard or commercial, or junk mail.

And although it galls some of you that people want actual comments on their profile (and god forbid, about their profile), that is actually what the 'comment' box is for. Commenting.

Personally, I think that if I don't have anything worth saying, then I shouldn't be saying anything at all. And I do feel the need to repeat this, just to ward off potential flamers, I do not hate stamps. Some I really like, most generic ones I just ignore. I have no problem with any stamp being put on my profile. I just wanted to show that there is another side to this debate, and there are in fact, very good reasons why you should respect people's requests to not stamp them. I would go on but this rant has gotten long enough, so I will continue to respond when and if I need to.

I think it's pretty egotistical for someone to demand of another how they rate- saying not to stamp is the equivalent of demanding what number rating you are given. It's ultimately up to the rater what they choose to leave your profile with.

Just know this- it was Cancer's choice to let us have this option... funny how none of the stamp haters are 'bombing' his profile with a 1 or deleting their account on VR because of his decision to give Premium members this benefit.

If Vampire Rave options really burn your ass so much... maybe Vampire Rave is not the place you should be hanging out at :)

And I think this is a good thread... I would surely be happy to find a person that can give me a different insight or reason why this isn't a horribly self-involved demand to attempt to place on fellow members.

-Anyone- who Rants about Ratings, Stamps, Flaming, or anything of that sort puts himself/herself as the Primary Target. This site is not for those things, so people shouldn't even think twice about them.


Talk about immaturity? Thinking twice on some Stamp is immature. What are you, 5?


This site was designed for The Database of Vampires and anything Supernatural, not for people to love/hate/rant about/write loves notes about Stamps, Rates, Comments, Flaming...ect.

I took my time on my profile. Made it just me. I take consideration of others for doing the same thing. I do stamp but I also show the consideration of reading every word that others write. I also make sure my stamp doesn't stretch anothers page.

I like it when people use stamps, allthough i do not use mine all too often, it is still makeing the rate's, bites and everything else a bit cooler.

The only problem I have with stamps is where they are so big that they ruin the page they are supposed to be rating ! It shows a complete disrespect for the person's profile and a lack of consideration for the people who have to follow along behind.

I disagree with anyone who rates a member's profile a 1 because they chose to use a stamp. The policy is clear you are supposed to be rating the effort put into a profile, not the person's conduct.

Most of the time I use my stamp simply because there is nothing unique worthy of me typing anything. Sometimes I will leave a stamp but message the person with a comment, sometimes I leave the HE adopt-a-whelp logo for the person to use or to let other adopt-a-whelp volunteers know that I am already assisting a whelp in distress.

I used to not comment at all, profiles had to earn my stamp and really earn a comment - but people associated a rate-without-comment as a downrate for some paranoid reason and it was a lot easier to stamp everyone.

I disagree with people linking offsite, to photohosting sites - not to exclude free members from gaining a stamp advantage, but simply because they are generally overlage and take forever to download.

At the end of the day, it is a website that has stamping as a part of its set up. If someone really objects to in, they joined the wrong website

Stamping is a PM's right people just need to get over it.And if you must give me a 1 for it go ahead. All it shows is that you are a very small minded person. Have a nice day !

Hear hear!

It doesn't really matter to me if someone has a stamp large enough to stretch my page, it will only be there for the next 3 commented rates anyway, which won't take long.

Besides as everyone has said above, it is an expression of people's individuality and creativity. I love seeing what people have done with their own stamps, it's inspiring.

Vashti you make a good point of course

Usually if someone has nicely asked for no stamps I try and respect that - if they demand it or make threats I usually ignore it

The problem is that the site drives you to rate everything. Usually the people who 'hate' stamps haven't put anything on their profiles to warrant a personal comment. So why should they be expecting something that they haven't earned ?

I confuse the issue by adding my comments usually over the top of my stamp. My stamp changes also allow me to keep track of when I rated a profile and when to call back.

I also get very suspicious of whelps who arrive with an instant 'stamp hate' - these are usually old members returning or, worse, existing members who built a bogus profile to vent their stamp-hate somehow without having people thinking bad of their main profile somehow. Naturally having two profiles will get both deleted unless they are both premium memberships

I stamp, and if people dont like it tough cookies I dont care. If they want to block me or rate me a one, again i dont care.

Artemka is exactly right. stamp haters don't want truthful comments and honest ratings - they just want to be flattered. if i wanted to heap praise on a talentless nobody i'd spend my time on fubar, or whatever it calls itself today.

The truth of the matter is that some profiles spend more time warning me about what not to do to them and how not to piss them off then actually giving me some reason to read much further.

If I meet someone in person and the first thing they say to me is a slew of veiled threats and warnings of vengeance, then I won't spend time doing much else in the way of trying to get to know them. Should my online interactions be any different?

Perhaps (as many profiles attest) they don't care if I dislike them or want to know them, but then they seem very animated about wanting me to read their entire profile so they certainly have a schizophrenic attitude about it. Honestly the idea that these people are going to 'force' or threaten me into reading their profile is well beyond the pale.

If someone has a profile that intrigues me and invites me further in, then so be it...I'll rate and likely comment. But I'm not so bored or available that I need to spend 10 minutes or even 5 reading someone's tirade against me before they've even met me...I can make quality decisions about a bad profile without being forced to read the whole thing.

i agree entirely. if i see a profile that is really quite good, but the creator has stated he does not like stamps without comments, i'll use my stamp, then go back and tag a comment on. but this has only ever happened twice - all the others were worthless dross, and full of emo rantings - NOT respectful in the least of others. now why should we respect someone who has no respect for others, but demands it for themselves?

you would really think more people would appricate the hard work i once had someone rate me with a stamp and then emailed me cause i used mine

I ALWAYS read the profiles, it is another reason why im on here to entertain myself if im bored. I think a lot of the profiles out there a re great but I do rate them fairly. Though I still don’t get why people are really dramatic over the rating and stampings (excluding the premiums because of Eternaltears statement earlier and many others that has similar comments) and I love getting stamps its nice and it makes me think that people also put their time and effort in to their profiles too. And if people had said not to stamp them then why do it….i wouldn’t blame people if that was one of their reasons why they hate stamps.

as i said - i dont stamp them if they dont want it - i just don't bother rating them at all. i dont rate for the points.

I agree with artemka if your not into stamps then VR might not be the
right place for you... However, I do agree that stamps that stretch the page can be a pain...perhaps a limit on size might make everyone happy.........
well not everyone!

FelixFelix, you never cease to amaze me with your insight! That's exactly how I feel when I hit upon a profile with BIG BOLD letters threatening to down-rate me and block me if I stamp them. I'm like "WTF? If you had that attitude with me face to face...I'd not give you a single second of my time." I'm a PM with two accounts. I've resorted to not even using my stamp. It's not worth the trouble anymore. I've been down-rated so many times because of it. It's really pathetic.

Everyone is naturally entitled to want what they want, but it's unrealistic to demand anything of complete strangers. What right do we really have to threaten people that we assume don't read our profiles? You know what? Make it interesting enough and you won't feel the need to threaten the reader with down-rates if they stamp you.

Felix, you make a good point.

People who hate stamps generally have loads of negativity and hate in their profiles anyway. If there is one thing that will turn a person off, it's a bunch of "Dont do this" "I hate that" "Don't piss me off, or...." And to agree with imagesinwords, I am yet to see a profile that says "Please dont stamp me."

In fact, I tend to give those profiles with such negativity a lower rating simply because there is nothing interesting to read, and there is no real information about the individual themselves. The fact that they ooze nasty intentions makes me stamp them in spite of them, and as childish as it may seem, I feel that if they put that much effort just to spell their hate out like that they deserve to get the exact opposite of what they want.

karnstein, what exactly is your basis for that complete generalization? I've seen a lot of excellent profiles with just one little line asking not to be stamped. And as you are not one of them (a stamp-hater), you can hardly speculate the reasons for them asking such.

To the best of my knowledge, and as far as I've seen, asking not to be stamped is just asking not to be stamped. I've yet to come across a profile demanding you write a full paragraph of praise to their greatness.

And I am well aware that some of them can be very rude. That rudeness is not confined to those who do not want their profiles stamped. To lump them all together like that is to divest them of their individuality and their humanity.

And yes, again, no one is arguing whether or not stamping is a feature which is meant to be used. I am only protesting it's use as a deliberate provocation against someone who has specifically asked you not to use one.

Biting is also a feature that many people love, and many others hate. A lot of premium members work hard at creating individual ones as well. But given the option, how many people do you think have chosen to disable them? How many without the option have asked not to be bitten, right on their profiles?

What about messaging? How many have asked people to refrain from frivolous or pointless messages? As far as I'm concerned, it's all the same thing. It's about respect. It's the basic respect you would give to any human being.

Whether you are a premium member or free, whether you like stamps or not, if you want to get respect, you have to give it.

I'm also a premium member, and the way I've avoided all this mess is just to rate people without a stamp or even a comment, it's also faster that way.

oh goodness... I see more demands than requests- pure threats actually.

that's a very good point. do the stamp haters get narked if you rate them without a stamp or comment? i bet they get really hissy if you only give them a five. not that most of them would know anyway.

dude I love using my stamps why do people have to hate just cause they cant make them hmmmm sad

I kind of got cut short with my earlier post. I had something to tend to. ;)

Vashti, you mention respect. Might I point out that respect goes both ways??? What is respectful about demanding, yes, demanding, you not be stamped and if you are stamped you will get your revenge by down-rating and blocking? I'm sorry, but that doesn't sound very disrespectful to me.

May I also point out how it is more often than not free members that don't want to be stamped? I wonder if they paid for the ability to stamp if they'd still feel the way they do. I also have to wonder if at times it's a jealousy thing...whether they may realize it or not.

I think stamping is a priviledge and also part of the whole vr system also part of what Cancer has created, so ordering others not to be able to use what they pay for, or threathing them is like telling Cancer he is not allowed to run his sit as he see fit...like or not the stamps, lets be clear on this: we do not owne or run the site, ONLY Cancer is.

thank you!

I haven't really used my stamp all that much..but now, reading the other points of view here, I am going to use it more often. It was made for me and to not use it would be slighting the person who took the time to create it for me.

i have a rate picture to rate people with but i use it once in a while :) i dont have a pm yet but i will soon :D

the stamp is a sort of personal signature. i'll be honest, i pasted mine into the comments box before i was a premmy coz i didnt know i wasnt supposed to - the same way as i tend to use a personally designed bite.

I see the stamp for all the rating that we do. Nowhere does it say anything about "unless someone whines about it." An idiot is will always be an idiot. Let them moan and groan. It most likely gives their useless lives meaning.

I think I mentioned repeatedly that I am aware of the rudeness of some of the people who prefer not to be stamped. The percentage of rude people on this site does not change with the predilection to dislike stamps.

And responding to generalized rudeness directed at no one in particular with intentional rudeness directed at a specific person is hardly conducive to fostering a good atmosphere here. Especially for those high level premium members who are often role-models for others on this site.

But frankly I'm tired of arguing about this, and repeating myself over and over again to people who either aren't reading my posts fully, or who are just ignoring them.

If you think that "I can, so I will." and "He/she started it!" are logical reasons to disrespect complete strangers with a reasonable request to not slap your stamp on their personal profile, then just go ahead and stop trying to justify it to yourself. It's your choice to do it, and it's their choice to respond however they wish.

Personally I like to use my stamp .I designed it and have the right to use it.I enjoy looking at the different forms of expression the stamps give to my comments.So anyone who visits my profile feel free to stamp me.

Everyone has a right to rate what they want, if you go to a profile and the person sais that they will rate you a 1 if you stamp their profile then you have a choice to make either stamp their page or not, i personally do not see what the big deal is it does not take a lot to say "i liked your page here is your rateing" or "i did not like your page here is your rateing" i mean their really are not to many people on Vampire Rave who tells people not to stamp their page anyway...

This thread has been automatically closed for length.