Professionalism and Ethical Behavior

One of the things that I seek from this message board is the input from both the consumers and the professionals practicing electrology. As with any message board, there will always be a percentage of detractors and trolls who, having nothing better to do, will accentuate the negative and debase the positive. This is, unfortunately, a part of the human experience and will always be with us.

Here are a few comments that I would like to toss out there for general review and comment.

  1. No one is perfect and when words are used, there is always a possibility of misunderstanding. Communication is not an exact science as word meanings take on new shapes depending on dialect, age of reader, ethnic background, and a host of other issues. It is acceptable to ask for clarification on a point. However to attack another’s credibility for an imagined or accidental mistake or misunderstanding is exceeding the limits of civilized behavior.

  2. Second-hand information, especially verbage that reflects negatively on another’s reputation or professional abilities, is always suspect and frequently slanderous. There is no way to gauge the amount of transpositional errors, personal agendas, or simple mis-statements that have crept into the language. I personally try to avoid this type of thing as it is usually pure “gigo” and smells appropriately.

  3. The vast majority of information that passes through this message board I find to be helpful, pertinant, and accurate, even if stated in terms other than what I am used to hearing. Of a necessity, I limit the accuracy of communications to about 95% (An A+ on the academic scale) as I am capable of misreading some things, especially when tired or hurried. I also have no way of knowing if what I am reading is exactly what the other intended to say. I try to be tolerant.

  4. Personal attacks have a way of rebounding back on the person making thyem. It is not uncommon for one who maliciously attacks another to wind up with a severe case of foot-in-mouth disease. However, this type of thing severely detracts from the overall quality of my experiences here.

In closing, I would like to thank posters like Alicia Darling, dFahey, James Walker, Arlene Batz, and a host of others for presenting me with a virtual cornicopia of valuable information that I can apply as I see fit - or ignore by the same logic. Electrology is as much art as it is science, and until such time as we can actually see where the probe tip is relative to the papilla, it will remain so. What works for one practitioner may not work for another, but both may be getting excellent results for their clients. In the end analysis, that is the most important aspect of this.

Best regards to all,
Joanie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for this thoughtful post. To be honest, I have been amazed at how well everyone has gotten along, given the size and scope of this forum. I have been able to remain the sole moderator, where some boards one-tenth this size need several.

Despite the recent setbacks of various attacks on other posters, most people have been able to keep their disagreements civil. We must assume good faith on the part of everyone posting here unless they clearly violate that important requirement.

Thanks to all who make this a valuable resource. I don’t agree with everything said here, but I want this to be a place where all opinions can be aired as long as they are based on facts and not on personality disputes. I hope everyone will continue contributing in that spirit.

Hi:

I have been on other message boards besides this one, and have found that it takes all kinds to make up the world.

If someone doesn’t agree with what someone has posted there is no need to resort to insults or defamation of character.

My policy is that if I don't have anything good to say I am probably better off to just shut my mouth. 

I did jump in to say what I thought about someone maligning James’s character since I knew it was all a crock of lies anyways.

Alicia

Hi Andrea,

I should have included my kudos to you as well for the excellent job that you’ve done in getting this project going and maintaining it in such an excellent fashion. Reading and posting here has been an excellent experience and the vast majority of posters are open, honest and giving good info or asking valid questions.

Due to the nature of what brought me here in the first place, I have been on several other posting boards that were not so well monitored. In many cases, things got so out of hand that I quit going to those boards. It just wasn’t worth the trouble of sorting through the garbage!

We live in a world that is full of intolerance and we also have to contend with a lot of sick units. Like Aliciadarling, I have come to the conclusion that If I can’t say anything nice, I just will not say anything.

After seeing what went on with the thread that you had to lock yesterday, I have decided to ignore the posters with a toxic agenda and just move on with an extremely lady-like demeanor. I think that ignoring such will be more effective in the long run - as this sort of person thrives on the controversy. If you ignore them, they just might go away and bother someone else!

Thank you and Hugs,
Joanie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Joanie:

I know that James is well able to stick up for himself.

However, I think he deserves some support from the members of this board even if he does not ask for it.
I have been coming here for several years now and found his contribution to be one of the better ones here.

He really did not deserve that.

Alicia

Hi Alicia,

I agree with you 100%, which is why I stuck my 2 cents worth in. Also, as a licensed electrologist myself, I do not believe in publically degrading another practitioner’s professional abilities or integrity, especially with hear-say evidence. If I have something to say about another practitioner, I will say it to them - in private! There is a very good reason why hear-say “evidence” is not admissable in courts of law as it is conjectural and not easily subject to verification. Also, it has a nasty habit of being horribly inaccurate.

I agree that James, of all people, does not need anyone to stick up for him, but from reading his posts, I have developed a very high respect for his knowlege, integrity and his human compassion. He is indeed a gift to this site and I will not allow anyone to impune his stature, character, or integrity with malicious rumors and second-hand assertions without some type of proactive response.

The post that prompted me to write this post was one of the worse examples of sour grapes that I have ever had the misfortune to read on any posting board. It was totally toxic and a good example of why I have decided to opt out of some of the earlier forums that I have visited. This type of thing should not be tolerated in civilized society.

I may not be the best, or most experienced electrologist in the world, but I am passionate about what I do, hungry for additional knowlege and have a sincere desire to give any client I work on to get the best possible service that I can give them. In this respect I must give James an overwhelming vote of thanks and support for his patient responses and caring attitude towards the questions he answers. I appreciate his open-mindedness and open, honest way of replying to posts.

If he were indeed the nefarious character that “sour-grapes” indicated, he would not be able to carry on this type of facade for the length of time without letting the negativity show. And as for the assertion that he is here to simply feather his nest, let me state from my own experience that posting here, along with $3.60, will get you a venti mocha at Starbucks!

While I do have the tendency to ignore trollish behavior on boards, when someone attacks someone, who from my own experience makes good sense, I tend to get my hackles up!

All the best Alicia,
Joanie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hi Joanie:

Well put!

I wonder if James has any experience at treated hackles?

I also imagine that a troll would have a very nasty hair problem too, probably with hair growing out of the most unsightly places! Oh my!

Alicia

Hi Alicia,

I do not think that hackles are treatable as the arrector pillae are not damaged during electrolysis. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Joanie

I want to also put my words of support in for James Walker. In regards to the other thread, I was reading through it and formulating my response when by necessity Andrea locked it.

I was sickened by the attack on his character. I have personally met James at the 2005 AEA Las Vegas convention. James is a wonderful person and has given much to this forum by helping to answer questions. It is perfectly acceptable to disagree with another person, yet personal attacks cross over the line of civilized behavior.

The poster made a comment about the different offices James Walker maintains in NY, Texas and Hawaii. Many professionals work out of several offices to accommodate their cliental. It is completely up to the individual if he/she wishes to schedule an appointment with James at one of these locations.

As far as the time estimate to completion given to the client, it is impossible to say “exactly” how many hours treatment will take. At best a general guideline can be given since we are talking about complete removal of the hair versus a reduction in hair growth.

The Best To All,
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hi Lisa,

A really good set of points, accurate and directly to the meat of the matter. I have never had the fortune to meet James, but I look forward to the possibility at future conventions and shows.

I also concur with your assessment of James maintaining several offices. It is frankly no concern to anyone as to how, or where, he conducts his business. If he has the skills, talent, and business acumen to be able to establish offices in several states, more power to him. He has obviously worked hard to get where he is and I, for one, applaud his ability to accomplish this. If nothing else, it does indicate a dedication and enjoyment of his work.

The fact that he can still take the time to post here, with all of his other activities, does speak volumns about his character and integrity.

I am sure that you will also concur with the statement “posting here and $3.60 will get you a venti mocha at Starbucks”. Despite advertising, promotions, and any other type of business activity, it is still word of mouth and the ability to properly treat your clients that will get you enough return business to be able to become successful within the field. To be able to do this in three distinct areas at once indicates that James is capable of meeting these conditions.

I am here for the information exchange, and will continue to post, comment, and review the postings of others. This is one of the best ways to learn about real-world situations and, at the same time, help educate others in what electrology is all about. I love my work and have the desire to become better as time and experience allow. This is an ideal place to pick up on things that you will not find in any text book on the subject, as well as meet and get to know others, based on their writing.

All the best,
Joanie <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />