Good form (tashinami)

Overview

Tashinami is a Japanese word for the grounding, good sense, and manners you should pick up to get along in society. As in "good form for adults" or "good form for a samurai," it means behavior that fits a certain position. Unlike a rule, it isn't enforced, but good form can lead the people around you to think more highly of you.

Good form for senders

There's a basic good form for question box senders. Read the profile of the person answering before you send a question. Check whether the same question has already been answered. When you send a question that's hard to answer, add a short note. After you get an answer, thank them silently while staying anonymous.

None of this is required. There's no punishment for skipping it. Still, some people answering find it more rewarding to answer questions from senders with good form. Good form is also for your own sake.

Good form for the person answering

There's good form for the person answering, too. Read the whole question before you answer. Don't make fun of the sender. Honestly turn down questions you can't answer. Don't hurt third parties in your answers. Take responsibility for your answers.

An attitude of "being grateful that someone asked at all" is also important good form. Getting questions isn't something to take for granted. Someone spent their time sending you a question. Being grateful for that fact is also the root of the rest of good form.