Wikipedia:Don't call the kettle black
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This is an essay. It is not a policy or guideline, it simply reflects some opinions of its authors. Please update the page as needed, or discuss it on the talk page. |
Don't call the kettle black. It happens quite often on Wikipedia that an editor makes a post to remind others of civility but writes it in an uncivil tone. Occasionally, someone will call other people names while at the same time reminding them to not make personal attacks. And of course there's always those that assume that others aren't assuming good faith, or people in an edit war that claim that no, it's the other party that's edit warring.
The irony is simply staggering. "Yes, but he started it" is a very lame excuse and will not shield you from any of the effects of the argument. Just don't do it.
[edit] Testing the limits
This phenomenon is quite common with the "test the limits" crowd. Often, a user will go out of his or her way to game the system, making changes which are against the spirit, if not the letter of the law. This user will, often purposefully, goad other Wikipedians into response with an aggravating propensity to bend the rules, and will of course immediately accuse the other Wikipedians of incivility. This type of user ranges from the more intentional to the more benign.
Users are encouraged to keep a cool head and discuss on talk pages first.
