In a message dated 1/25/2005 6:00:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, pruett@xxxxxxxxx writes: That is hurtful to a relative novice and since it was a very long drive home from upstate NY back to Maine, there is a lot of time to think about this slight from the fancy. I refuse to think that this is the message we mean to send to newcomers, but, nevertheless, it is the message we often send and I've got to think that it has an impact on who stays and who moves on in our breed. =================================================================== What Laurie says here is true. We need to be more sensitive to the exhibitors that are not within our circle of friends and make an effort to congratulate them, make a positive remark, and make them feel welcomed. It is good if each local hosting club, has someone within their ranks to fulfill this responsibility - take the time to introduce yourself, make a complimentary comment and make the newcomer feel like they would like to do this all over again. Dania ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2005. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - http://www.showgsd.org ============================================================================