## * [Kyle Brandt](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1865/kyle-brandt) [asked](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017290#3017290):* Being a mod is sort like being a police officer. They have to deal with stupidity all the time so it is easy to get bitter over time. The people they deal with on the whole might not be stupid, but even then they see the stupid side of people. Because of the power police have though, it is very important that they never give into the temptation to just smack people upside the head -- the same is true of mods. Do you think you have this temperment?
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** [Chris S](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1506/chris-s) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017305#3017305):** Sir, Yes Sir!
** [Ben Pilbrow](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1084/ben-pilbrow) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017318#3017318):** If someone is getting on my nerves I will ignore them. If they're doing something they shouldn't be then they should be gently reminded not to do that, but unnecessary mod-hammering is not cool. I like to think by now I know what's acceptable and what isn't, and how to control myself
** [freiheit](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/45/freiheit) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017325#3017325):** Yes. And I believe I've shown that kind of restraint over on [Bicycles](http://bicycles.stackexchange.com/), too.
** [ErikA](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1744/erika) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017332#3017332):** I will be the first to admit that I have not been perfect in this regard. I do, however, strive to interact in a **positive** way with users, with the goal to improve their experience on SF as well as to improve the content of the site. As mentioned in my candidate spiel, I have seen the mod hammer abused several times, and it has irked me to no end. I will do my best to be a positive, encouraging, even-handed mod.
** [pauska](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1949/pauska) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017339#3017339):** I've been a DJ for about 10 years as a side-project, mostly just for fun. I've seen my part of idiots, and learned that we just have to accept that different people behave in different ways, and not let stuff get into us (even when it happens over and over again). I'm might not be aligned with the site guidelines when it comes to the chat, as it has been a nice place to blow off steam when needed. I would however not "undress" people at the main site.
** [Ward](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/2075/ward) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017341#3017341):** It's the same thing many of us have to deal with in real life, but with the advantage that here you're not on-call all the time. If there's someone who you think is a jerk, you can probably let another mod handle them.
** [MDMarra](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/7326/mdmarra) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017342#3017342):** I think so. I know that many of the candidates in here show frustration at 1-rep users that don't read the [faq](http://serverfault.com/faq) or 101-rep users that are used to how different Stack Exchanges do things. For me (and I'm sure others too) that frustration is because of our lack of ability to handle it ourselves. As SAs, we're used to being able to solve our own problems. I feel like SF is an extension of my professional sphere, and I want to be able to solve the hiccups that occur from time to time.
** [voretaq7](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/5477/voretaq7) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017347#3017347):** Well, I think there's a difference between a friendly dope-slap upside the head with a reminder ("read the docs", "be nice", etc.) and clobbering someone over the head with a bat. I'm one for reminding people with decreasing levels of gentleness - I'm not perfect, but I try not to be actively hostile/mean. I'd much rather people stay around, improve, learn & become productive members of the community.
** [WesleyDavid](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/2779/wesleydavid) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017355#3017355):** My knee-jerk reaction towards someone that might be called "clueless" is one of educating. I want to help them learn and know better. My knee-jerk reaction to someone that is abrasive, irritating or combative is usually "OMGWTF" - which is a known character flaw in me. As such, I usually step back, re-read the situation multiple times, formulate and re-formulate a response... and then find that a more even-tempered person has addressed it far better than I could have. =)
** [Iain](http://chat.stackoverflow.com/users/1533/iain) [answered](http://chat.stackexchange.com/transcript/message/3017361#3017361):** Yes - I'll nudge people in the right direction rather than beat them up.