Strange private message

[Boddie]

I have just received this PM

Hi, my name is **** and I live in ****. Whilst surfing the internet I found your photograph of 'Prunella Vulgaris'. I have been desperately trying to find a batch of this plant/herb for its healing properties, yet so far it’s alluded capture.
& so I thought maybe you can point me on the right direction as to finding this slippery character. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kind regards
****

My understanding is that this plant is a wildflower and therefore it is illegal to pick.

Am I correct and if so I guess it is not a good idea to tell this chap where this plant is?

[Gill Catton]

So longs as s/he has the land owner's permission this plant can be picked. Prunella vulgaris (Selfheal) is pretty common I'm suprised they can't find any! It grows in my lawn!!

Some wildflowers are protected and it is better to errr on the side of caution and not pick in any case just incase the plant is rare in that area.

[wildone]

Andrew, my understanding is that you may pick wildflowers that are not rare, unusual etc. but not uproot them. I have had the same PM and sent a reply saying that I didn't know his part of Britain. My main concern was with the health safety aspect of using the plant, and made a particular point of stressing that.

Winnie

[Bushcraft]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I have just received this PM

Hi, my name is **** and I live in ****. Whilst surfing the internet I found your photograph of 'Prunella Vulgaris'. I have been desperately trying to find a batch of this plant/herb for its healing properties, yet so far it’s alluded capture.
& so I thought maybe you can point me on the right direction as to finding this slippery character. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kind regards
****

My understanding is that this plant is a wildflower and therefore it is illegal to pick.

Am I correct and if so I guess it is not a good idea to tell this chap where this plant is?

Very strange considering how common the plant is. He must be looking in the wrong area lol.

[eeyore]

Why doesnt he just buy it in the shops like everone else - or grow some from seed. The fact that he is asking us for locations tends to suggest that he doesnt intend to get the landowners permission which means that his activities would be illegal. Most reserves etc have a no picking rule anyway - basically because a lot of peoples flower ID isn't that swift. all in all I think you were right to be wary.

[Boddie]

Thank you.

My view is that there is not enough of them for someone to come and take the few that I see. If there were loads, fair enough, but as there are few, its not happening.

Sorry **** of ****

[nightshade]

Was it a female could it have been an attempt to get close to you Boddie?

[jerryh]

A month or so ago, I received a similar PM:

Dear Jerry,
Recently registered and trying to obtain photos of Cetti's Warbler, I saw that you had many images of the bird. However, I can't figure out how to access them on my computer and the only thing I'm getting is a disc of bird-song which is inaudible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I assumed a scam or some other undesirable motive, sent a non-commital reply, and have heard nothing since.

Jerry

Originally Posted by Boddie

I have just received this PM

Hi, my name is **** and I live in ****. Whilst surfing the internet I found your photograph of 'Prunella Vulgaris'. I have been desperately trying to find a batch of this plant/herb for its healing properties, yet so far it’s alluded capture.
& so I thought maybe you can point me on the right direction as to finding this slippery character. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Kind regards
****

My understanding is that this plant is a wildflower and therefore it is illegal to pick.

Am I correct and if so I guess it is not a good idea to tell this chap where this plant is?

[nightshade]

If this strange person would care to go through the full joining procedure including posts
these questions would be answered on the forum
PM-ing it should be explained is rude until you know people fairly well from the forum
which means doing the time so you earn some respect

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by jerryh

A month or so ago, I received a similar PM:

Dear Jerry,
Recently registered and trying to obtain photos of Cetti's Warbler, I saw that you had many images of the bird. However, I can't figure out how to access them on my computer and the only thing I'm getting is a disc of bird-song which is inaudible.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I assumed a scam or some other undesirable motive, sent a non-commital reply, and have heard nothing since.

Jerry

That ones very strange - if he's seen that you have lots of pics he must be able to access them - he probably meant that he couldnt figure out how to rip them off....

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by nightshade

If this strange person would care to go through the full joining procedure including posts
these questions would be answered on the forum
PM-ing it should be explained is rude until you know people fairly well from the forum
which means doing the time so you earn some respect

although there are times when a PM from a newbie is preferable to a post - thinking of a certain person who reffered to one of my posts as "stupid" and "pathetic" on her very first post. PM would have been preferable , although not saying anything might have been better still

[nightshade]

Yes you are right, genuine people who do not want to appear silly should ask rather than
not find out Pm is acceptable.Rudeness is not acceptable however it arrives!!

[eeyore]

Another forum I go on has the PM set up so you have to chose who you want to receive messages from - the down side of this is that it means that all moderations, warnings to wind necks in, and disputes between members, slanging matches etc (all of which are more common than there are here) take place in the publuic forum - which isnt so hot IMO

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by eeyore

Another forum I go on has the PM set up so you have to chose who you want to receive messages from - the down side of this is that it means that all moderations, warnings to wind necks in, and disputes between members, slanging matches etc (all of which are more common than there are here) take place in the publuic forum - which isnt so hot IMO

The downside of that is that I would not get so many love emails from random members.

I dont mind getting PM's one little bit. In fact I think they are a valuable tool.

I respect the fact that some members feel it is better to say some things discreetly and whilst it may be better said out in the open I think they are entitled to that right.

I do know some members that have been very upset by some of my PM's - a genuine attempt to not be confrontational but they have chosen to take it in a negative way. I guess thats their perogative.

I guess its the same old story.

You shout idiot out in the high street and the idiot turns round. I dont even react, as I know I have done nothing wrong, but the idiot - he turns round.

What I am saying is if you have done nothing wrong then chances are the person is not having a go at you, but you will react if you know you have been out of order - thats the way I see it.

You must just think. Is he having a go at me? If its not justified then probably not, I may just have read it wrong

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

The downside of that is that I would not get so many love emails from random members.

I dont mind getting PM's one little bit. In fact I think they are a valuable tool.

I respect the fact that some members feel it is better to say some things discreetly and whilst it may be better said out in the open I think they are entitled to that right.

I do know some members that have been very upset by some of my PM's - a genuine attempt to not be confrontational but they have chosen to take it in a negative way. I guess thats their perogative.

I guess its the same old story.

You shout idiot out in the high street and the idiot turns round. I dont even react, as I know I have done nothing wrong, but the idiot - he turns round.

What I am saying is if you have done nothing wrong then chances are the person is not having a go at you, but you will react if you know you have been out of order - thats the way I see it.

You must just think. Is he having a go at me? If its not justified then probably not, I may just have read it wrong

Philosophical Boddie,

I have no problem with recieving PMs from anybody, or with anyone saying stuff to me in the open forum, but my view is that as far as rudeness, insults, flaming etc go if it aint suitable for open forum then dont say it at all. Like nightshade says rudeness is unacceptable however it arrives

[jerryh]

Originally Posted by eeyore

That ones very strange - if he's seen that you have lots of pics he must be able to access them - he probably meant that he couldnt figure out how to rip them off....

Actually, I don't have lots of pictures.

The Internet - I'm afraid scams, phishing, and slightly strange behaviour, etc come with the territory. Don't take that the wrong way, now...

Jerry

[Boddie]

Originally Posted by eeyore

Philosophical Boddie,

I have no problem with recieving PMs from anybody, or with anyone saying stuff to me in the open forum, but my view is that as far as rudeness, insults, flaming etc go if it aint suitable for open forum then dont say it at all. Like nightshade says rudeness is unacceptable however it arrives

oh shut up you idiot

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Boddie

oh shut up you idiot

ooooooooo oooooooooooo ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo until the handle comes off and you have to go to the doctors to get it out

[Alan]

Originally Posted by Boddie

You shout idiot out in the high street and the idiot turns round. I dont even react, as I know I have done nothing wrong, but the idiot - he turns round.

Yeah but all the people I see hear shouting in the streets are usually idiots!.......or town cryers, or rag'n'bone men

If someone shouts MUM in the street, everyone looks round, it's human nature! Doesn't mean they're all mums

MaternAl Al