## * [Holocryptic](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/8928/holocryptic) [asked](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017662#3017662):* You run across a user who has a bit of a "rough" edge to him, in that he can be abrasive in the tone of his comments and answers. However, he does bring value to site in terms of knowledge. How do you reign him in without losing him as a contributing member of the community? ---- ** [ErikA](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1744/erika) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017704#3017704):** Like [@Sam's previous question](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017644#3017644), confer with the other Mods, penalty box if needed. ** [Chris S](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1506/chris-s) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017779#3017779):** *Flag: Close as Duplicate of 3017644* ** [freiheit](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/45/freiheit) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017837#3017837):** Your question relates a lot to Sam's. I'd first start with gentle reminders about tone. I see that kind of rudeness/roughness as potentially driving away more value (other users) than they're bringing to the site. ** [Iain](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1533/iain) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017847#3017847):** I've spoken to people like that already. Advised them that we don't like that kind of attitude and to please take some time to learn the way we do things. ** [WesleyDavid](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/2779/wesleydavid) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017855#3017855):** A bit abrasive and yet brings lots of value? I can think of two high-rep users who meet that standard. I think in that case, you don't merely *tell* what the problem is, you *ask* them what they're thinking and what's going on in their minds. If you ask people enough questions, you can usually get a great feel for them, and get them to see themselves a bit better. If they really don't seem to get it and keep on and on, then in that case, their technical contributions cannot ever outweigh the negative culture that they bring. ** [voretaq7](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/5477/voretaq7) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017880#3017880):** See [my answer to @Sam](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017839#3017839) -- Basically try to get the user into chat and explain that they just need to watch their tone. Im also not above calling this kind of behavior out in comments (and holding out the "I'd upvote your answer, but you're ***mean***!" carrot to entice people into changing their wording/tone. ** [MDMarra](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/7326/mdmarra) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017994#3017994):** I think that it's important to remind that user that everyone was new to being a SA at one time or another. No one was born being able to read wireshark captures, except maybe Evan Anderson. Everyone was also new to SF at one point or another as well. Without these new members that this user is belittling, we wouldn't have a community to participate in. I'd give that user every opportunity to reform, but if it comes down to it, no one user is more important than community growth.