These flaming messages may start out like your typical posting or message then change over to heated and angry, even aggressively toned.
Most flaming occurs by people who have superiority complexes or are narrow minded individuals who think that there way is the only way to do things or to think about things.
Flaming is used on the forums and message boards to offend or anger the other boards or forums members. The response “flamebait” leads to even more angry and upsetting posts on these boards and the cycle continues. It is like adding gas to a roaring fire.
If a party has intentions that are meant as good and wants to advance seriously a discussion within a group, then the message may have the trappings of flaming but very well may not be a flame. These types are usually posted by individuals who are dedicated to the topics at hand and have feelings which are very strong regarding the subject of the discussion. It is not meant to be interpreted as ill will or anger.
Flaming insults and negative feelings tends to be much easier online than in person with someone face to face or over the telephone. People feel less embarrassed to do so because no one can see them do it or hear them.
A lot of times flaming will evolve into an all out online war called flaming wars. These are most popular in groups for discussions. These wars’s can get so out of hand that the topic and the replies to these topics are either locked out or closed down completely.
Another form of flaming is called pie-fighting. This happens when very emotional and heated up messages are sent back and forth just like someone in a pie throwing fight and they usually last for a shorter period of time than the wars.
Flaming reviews refers to people who bash a maker of a certain product instead of the product itself. These are typically hard to respond to so wars or fights don’t result from them. Reviews such as these can be very personal and emotionally harsh, containing obscenities or profanity at times.
Sometimes misinterpretations will lead a message or post to be considered flaming, when it is actually not intended that way at all. As a result, the writer will often become angry or upset that his words where misinterpreted and flame wars can ensue.
Flaming can be avoided by following some simple and easy to remember email and posting etiquette.
Always try to get to the point and be definitive within your postings and email. You should also never use all letters in capital form as this could be misconstrued as yelling or screaming by the recipient. Use care and caution when placing emoticons or abbreviations within emails and postings, you may just think they are cute and fun but some could be taken the wrong way. Even if you receive a chain letter do not send it to others on your groups or email lists, this just is not polite.
And last but not the least; remember that the people on the other end receiving your post or email have feelings as you do. Reread your message before hitting that send key and make sure it is something you would not mind receiving from someone else.