Just politely point them in the right direction like 3W did. Or just ignore them, maybe shake your head and sigh to yourself.

I meant, if you need the info yourself, do you post on old threads or do you start a new one? People will give you grief in both cases.

Try something like;

I've looked at some past threads and got the following ballpark figures

• Rent : 2000 for a 3 room place
• Parking : 150-200
• Health Insurance for Family : 800 CHF
• ...
• ...
• etc.

The threads are a bit old, does this sound about right?

It's not rocket surgery.

Though, TBF, any post that starts "I've searched but..." doesn't tend to bother me much, no matter how much of a FAQ it is. I'd usually put it down to the crap search function.

So, if I understood correctly, the checklist for a politically correct way of asking for an update on old information is:
1. Mention that you used the search function
2. Mention that the threads that you are found are old

Thanks! Are these non-rocket-surgery tips part of the EF rules? If not, in case you don't mention one or either of the unwritten rules above, do you deserve to get shat on?

No idea. They don't usually bother me; I'm generally in the ignore and move on school.

Probably a good rule of thumb would be "Would I look stupid asking this to a person in real life?"

Is this a cure for erectile dysfunction ?

As a newbie, the correct response to any snarky or grouchy pointing towards the search function or old threads is to thank the person for their help and move on. I'm a fairly empathetic person but one can't go through life in general, and the internet especially and expect nothing but warm helpful people.

I've been pointed to old threads and the search function in my short time here already. I could have fussed about how I used the search function, or how the data there was old, or how it didn't answer my specifics, but why? What possible value is there? The person responding was not the only respondent, the posts they linked to had useful hints to help me direct my questions, and other people answered.

Politely thank them for their time and move on, you don't know what has them in a fit. The flaming doesn't usually occur until after a retaliation.

Now you are making the unwarranted assumption that people actually read posts all the way through and also understand what they read.

It is incredible the number of people who reply to OP posts with content that clearly shows they did not read or understand all of the OP's original post and then double up by quoting irrelevant or outdated links

The solution is to have both a thick skin and an immense ego

I have hopes

Well, with a join date of 2008, it hardly makes this poster a newbie, does it?

One would think after ten years in-country, a person of moderate self awareness would pick up on the social mores of the EF, and even more pertinent to the matter, an ability to ask for help in a manner which demonstrates a moderate level of initiative.

I was the first one to respond to the mentioned thread.

My answer to this question is: You do not look stupid, but you would get charged pretty good money in real life for getting an meaningful answer to such an open question. Specially an answer which is meaningful in your own situation.

My reaction: You get what you pay for. And to use a German proverb: Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es heraus. If you cannot do some very basic research why do you expect more from me, for free?

PS: One lesson learned: People are not aware of Switzerland low inflation rate and are used to different conditions.

__________________
On Strike - ChatGPT knows more than I, so use it (or doesn't it?)

8 years I've only been here 8 years, gimme a break, I am still a newbie!

btw to the other comment (raptor dude), I just said it winds me up when I see a thread thats interesting but it was started and ended years before and the new comment adds nothing new to the thread.... and I am not so rude as to berate the commentator for such a heinous act, well I might have once or twice.

Either Credit Suisse was taken over by The Local or some forum veterans work at CS costumer service

Credit Suisse customer service

My problem is that because i can use the search number i have an extremely low number of posts, having found the answers before. So when i think ah this would be a good forum to give things away i dont need anymore, i have to spam (okay i only need 10 posts but it's still spam) the forum in order to meet the requirements.

But being a member of the forum isn't just about finding answers, but helping other people with their questions, and being a contributor as well.

It's not just about posting to find what you need, but posting to help others find what answers they need, or contributing to the forum in general.

You have been a member for 2 years and in this time, objectively speaking, contributed nothing.

Some people go through their whole life like that - and can't see anything wrong with it.

Okay that is a fair point. I tend to find everything i know has already been discovered by somebody well before me, but i take the point for sure.

It can also be about adding a bit of fun to someone's day, having a laugh, making people smile, making friends, even if they are virtual.

I think this is a bit harsh. The poster here is talking about wanting to give something but not being able to because the forum rules don't permit. (I've also taken a look at his thread and it's quite a generous giveaway). Even if not, I've noticed a number of forum members who take a lot and give back nothing - taking nothing and giving nothing seems preferable to me...

I never got the post count requirement for free stuff to be honest.