Here is a list of top “faux pas” made in chat….I have reserved my personal favorite for another time, as I have made all of these at one time or another. They are in no particular order…they are all equal and everyone is not immune to committing one at some time….Let’s Go!
10. Too Long Screen Name: Sure, you love Jimmie Johnson, but by choosing to sign in as 48JimmieJohnson_I_Love_You!48, you run the risk of having no one talk to you. By the time they type a comment with your name, the race will be over and the room will be closed. (a cousin to this one is a screen name that makes no sense at all….of course, people will ask (inquiring minds want to know)!
9. TYPING IN CAPITAL LETTERS! This does mean that you are shouting, but if you really want someone to LISTEN to you, try whispering. It works, shhhhhhh….try it!
8. Typing numbers, continuously! (i.e. “88888888888”). If we wanted to know your IQ, we would ask for it..Does this mean that Carl Edwards fans are smarter than Truex’s? Doubt it!
7. Chat room is not a “pick up” room! If you need a date, try us during Truck Racing, then every one has a pick-up! and a line. Mine is a F-150!
6. Swearing, Cussing, and “expletive deletes”! Try to outfox the message filter. Never have I seen an IRC message filter work faster than NASCAR.COM. Never! I have, however, seen many creative ways to get your point across, including all sorts of cuss words and anatomical parts that belong someplace else! Go ahead and try, I look forward to the attempt!
5. Crossing a Moderator. This is not only bad form, but a very fast way to be “ignored” or “booted”! There are many members who look up to the “mods” and will protect them. Stay on their good side….believe me…it is easier to get what you want with sugar, then it is with used motor oil! And if you do get the “purple boot”, 10 Hail Marys and 10 Our Fathers, and a mea culpa e-mail to Sunny and you can try again, hopefully.
4. Picking a fight! It does get crowded in the room from time to time (during Cup Races) and someone will always “step” on someone else’s toes. There is still room for everyone and their opinions (hopefully based on some fact or juicy rumor). Try chat during the qualifying periods or a regular week night. Go ahead, break the ice!
3. Going off topic. At times, even the whole room can get caught up in the antics of Paris Hilton, and God knows we gotta eat, hence the FOOD NETWORK breaks in for a few minutes. It is NASCAR, and if you want to talk about the genus of spider-pigs (oops, #20 fans climbing fences), I am sure there is a room somewhere in the World Wide Web!
2. Dispensing Advice (especially unsolicited). In this day and age, we all have a personal opinion and a home remedy for any and all occasions. Best to keep it to oneself, as the liability is much too great.
1. Being a Know-It-All. I can personally guarantee that someone will have a window open on Google and the definition of “shinola” will be typed into the room in a moment. There is always someone who is smarter than you and ME!.

The real No.1 is not having fun!

I hope you all have fun with these, and I would love to hear if you think I made another one not listed. (Such as opening the window, saying Hi and walking away for a lengthly period of time). Later! Van2001