How do you deal with Drama Queens?

Almost every forum has at least one: the member who is always stirring something up, and inciting drama. They do anything and everything to find any little flaw to turn into an uproar.

How do you (or would you) handle these members? If you've dealt with one in the past, what was their reaction?

 

I've started using the Miserable Users hack on the few I have. Seems to quiet them down quite nicely.

When they send me a PM about access issues I give them the regular clear cookies and cache then reboot line. Take them out of that group for a few days then put them back. I think they get the message that foolish behavior causes connectivity issues.

 

Might not want to make them come back though...

 

Depends on how bad they are but usually after a couple warnings then we just get shot and don't hide the fact either...we email them to say why...this usually stops them re-registering.
But even if they did then AE detector picks them up..

 

Sometimes the goal is not to get rid of them but just to get them to calm down. Stick them in a moderated usergroup and delete anything that would cause an uproar.

 

Lately, I try to see what is making them tick and address what they want. Sometimes, it is as simple as letting them have their own social group. I think they just like to go after the perceived alpha-female sometimes. (alpha female being me :lol

But, someone else here, I think it was kevin? Said he just has a really short tolerance level for people who cause that much drama and I am also trying that on some of them.

A 1-day ban with a "We don't have time for this right now, take a moment and compose yourself before coming back" is HIGHLY effective.

 

I often find that these particular members know exactly what sort of trouble that they're causing - member and community-wise. If they're not the center of attention, sparking drama can be a method of gaining what they want... and quickly.

I will not tolerate them. Period.

 

Oh lord, when ever I read drama, Kuri comes up in mind.

Anywho, basically, drama won't stop until there will be another drama queen/king. Either way not only do they just try to explode every single thing out of proportion but they just like to nit pick at what the staff does. They DO know what they're doing, they just like causing commotion. Tell them you've demodded their favorite mod, you will make a change to your site, e-dating, or just a simple rumor, and it will set them off like a match with gasoline.

Most of them can be 'saved' if you have time enough to speak with them and explain the situations, others will think that they're doing the right thing, that the site 'needs' them and it would be dead without the drama he/she/it causes. Cause drama once, shame on you! Cause drama twice, shame on me.

^^ I warn once, then ban.

 

Some members post what they really think, and other members think they are starting trouble.

First, you have to figure out if a member is being honest, or being a troll. And that is what a "drama queen" really is, their a troll.

It really depends on the person and the topic. If the person is an outstanding member of the community, but they have a hang up with one certain topic, then I just let it go.

If the person is new, and their just posting stuff to start a big argument, slinging personal insults around, then they might get an infraction or a 1 week ban.

I try to take a look at what the member has brought to the community as a whole. Just picture a set of scales. With the good post on one side, and the drama stuff on the other side.

 

I generally ask if they have any friends who would like to join the forum...make sure they voted Obama as well :lol:

Serious, I haven't ran across any drama queens or trolls. All though it would probably boost our numbers I would tell them to knock it off, if not apply a 7 day ban.