I see a lot of BS targeted at me, every day, sometimes from you as well. So you think I should swallow every #### targeted at me and reply nicely ? Grow up.
Just to step in... I'm not saying you should, but I do think it would benefit your position - "swallowing the crap" and replying nicely. Many companies probably hold the position that it would also be the "professional" thing to do, but that is not so important a point... The more important ones are all the benefits of rising above the crap. Benefits for you.
I'm talking about maintaining the moral high-ground with style and answers that gain their merit from their substance, not their effectiveness in countering personal attacks with more of the same. Hooligan had a point, even if he made it poorly. You did waste your and other people's time with these "you didn't ask nicely, I won't answer" types of messages - only for your people to eventually answer. (Nicely, thank you very much for that!) There is very little grown up about that. But more importantly, there is very little for you to gain in that.
Again, these subsenquent responses to Hooligan were quite unnecessary. You could have just calmly answered, ignored the flames and walked away as the winners of this thread. To be balanced, same goes for people like BBRV. It is not without reason some say he is his own worst enemy at times. Frankly - people around me tell me the same. And I think they are correct. There is lot to gain from fighting only the necessary fights, and very little in fighting the useless ones. (Obviously the art is to know which is which.)
You would gain an enormous amount of respect from people just by saying "sorry, got a bit worked up there - here are the answers". Believe me, people don't expect it, and not all will buy it, but many will love your for it. I've seen it happen a lot of times. It's the humility and achievement through action that buys souls and holds them near. Us loudmouths, well, we don't often get that far.
Sorry, do not treat me like an idiot, then I won't treat you like one. That's a basic fundamential.
An eye for an eye?
Remarks like that only make people dig harder to find all the times they could say the same of your people. And us all being imperfect, they will find valid ammunition. You can't stop that, and you certainly know that. But you can choose not to participate. Stick to the point, answer the questions even if they are uncomfortable (if you can) and let the personal remarks slide. And if you make a mistake, or get worked up, (and we all do from time to time) just admit it and apologize for it - even if no-one else does that.
They will love you for it.
Now, me goes back to trying to swallow my own medicine. :-)