Perhaps I'm a "cake ham"
(if there's such a thing?) but I get so happy when I get comments, that from time to time I'll go looking through my pics just to see if I have gotten anymore
Honey, I'm there "hamming" with ya!! 
By no means do I consider myself a "pro" although I have been teaching for almost 6 years. There is A LOT I don't know and haven't had an opportunity to try, some of it is fear of failure (I really do hate that!), some of it is the 2 rug rats under the age of 3. Any time anyone has taken the time to view and post any comment to my pix, I am excited. I view cakes when I can and those that strike me, I will post.
I really don't want to believe that there may be a few amongst us that will post something malicious on purpose - I haven't been on this forum for long but it seems that the general spirit of it is positive, supportive, and instructional. With all the cr*p on the web nowadays, I really enjoy this site.
My $0.02.
Clearly I was having a bad night and opened a bag of worms. I by no means meant to be rude or anything. I just thought that if you would tell someone what you did like it would be helpful and constructive. Like say, nice ribbon, nice color, etc. as opposed to "cute". That way I know what I finally did right.
Thanks for the thoughts and ideas. I didn't mean to offend or suggest that I am in any way not appreiciative of the site or your comments. I just had one person in particular that told me she liked something specific and that was really nice and helpful to me. As I said in my original post, I realized that I too have been guilty of the "cute" comment and it is not always as helpful as specific praise.
Anyway, sorry to stir up a pot. If I was wrong, then I understand and I will just take my own advice and leave better comments on my own.
I think a lot of good points have been made by everyone, including the OP.
I only recently learned that some people comment just to be kind, and while I do appreciate it, it makes me feel sort of... weird (er).... So, I figured out that if I finish the description of the cake in the comment section, then my cake won't enter the "uncommented" section of the gallery.
figured out that if I finish the description of the cake in the comment section, then my cake won't enter the "uncommented" section of the gallery.
Hee hee hee! That's what I do too! Comments are nice, but if I don't get any, no problem. It's good enough for me that I get to stick the pic up here with hundreds of other cakes that are far, far better than mine.
I didnt read through every page of this, so hopefully I am not out in left field. I aslo appreciate what the OP is trying to say. I love it when someone leaves me a 2 or 3 line comment. However, just because a comment might be one word like "pretty, or lovely, or nice" doesnt mean that it doesnt mean anything. I mean "Pretty" is a discriptive word. I guess if you are really looking for constructive comments then you will need to let us know that is what you are looking for in your discription of the cake.
If I can't get some really good feedback, I would rather wait for one of those designated cake artists to give me some really good information on what they like. If you comment out of courtesy, you take my cakes off that list.
Those "designated" cake artists (myself included) are members with 100 posts or more who request to be a Gallery Supporter Member. That doesn't mean we're any better than anybody else at leaving "perfect" comments on your cake photos.
I'm not one to usually leave bitchy (sorry) comments, but I couldn't believe what I was reading. Now here we have someone complaining for people trying to be nice. There ARE options if you don't like "courtesy" comments, the first one being, don't post your picture in cyberspace! The second one being, turn off the comment option when you post a picture.
There are people starving all over the world, there are people fighting for our country and dying, there are people in this country who can't feed their families, and we're on here getting our panties in a twist because someone was trying to be nice. Yikes!
Okay, I feel better now.
Hee hee hee! That's what I do too! Comments are nice, but if I don't get any, no problem. It's good enough for me that I get to stick the pic up here with hundreds of other cakes that are far, far better than mine.
Ariun, that's exactly how I feel! 
I use to comment on cakes alot but since I keep getting an "error" message, it takes me too long to type out a comment. I have to type a letter, then cllick on the error message, then type a letter, click on the error message, type a letter, then click on error message...etc...
You get the idea. This is the only website that does it to me and I can't figure out how to correct it.
So I apologize for looking at the photos and possibly saving them to my favorites without leaving a comment. When I can figure out the error message thing and get it off, I will leave more comments.
I haven't uploaded any pics - but that is my choice, for now...
Seriously, I stopped reading after 1/2 of page 2 - everyone has a profile - if there is something you want to change, then do so...everyone has the option to participate or not in whatever form they choose.
This is a free forum - can't make everyone happy all the time, or even some people some of the time - no reason to tear it down because you don't get the reaction you wanted or expected. I would say be thankful to any reaction at all - criticism (good or bad).
You take from this site what you put into it, INMO.
Why is this even a "discussion"? And better yet, why am I participating in perpetuating it? 
It's difficult to leave a descriptive comment on everyone's pictures. Many of us only have a few moments during a break to browse the gallery, and it's much easier to leave a brief, one or two comment response rather than elaborate. I may only get to view a few pictures at a time, and I'm sure there are several I never get to see. Also, keep in mind that sometimes it's difficult to adequately critique a cake from looking at a picture. It may look beautiful to us so that's the comment that's posted. As some others have suggested, posting a picture of your cake in a forum explaining your techniques or difficulties and requesting feedback is probably a better approach than requesting extensive feedback from picture comments.
This is a great community, and the best way to improve your skills is from reading the forums and asking other CC'ers for advice. I've learned so much from participating in the forums and researching the site than from picture comments.
I think if someone wants constructive criticism or meaningful critiques, they just need to ask for them.
Isn't it kind of like walking in a room wearing a new dress? People might say, "Wow, that looks great on you!" "Pretty dress." "That color brings out your eyes!"
Chances are, not many are gonna volunteer that the length isn't your best look, or that it is too tight in the thighs. Someone you know very well might tell you that you would look really great if you put on a wide belt or pushed up the sleeves, but not always. And the people who tell you that you look fat in that? Sometimes we want that sort of honesty, but if someone said, "Look, if you would just eat less and do this certain exercise for your arms, after about 6 months, you'll probably look pretty good!"
I love it when someone starts a thread about a cake they made, when they ask for specific comments. I learn so much! And I love reading the stories behind some of the cakes. Priceless stuff.
So, just ask if you want a certain kind of comment. But be prepared. There are people out there that if you ask them, "Do I look fat in this?" , they are gonna say, "YES."
WOW!
I'm new to this site and I love reading the forums, such great minds to learn from here. I just started decorating (by necessity and now love it) a few months ago and I can say I value all comments and opinions from people on this site, not just those who are "experienced"...
I'm surprised sometimes by the forums, its funny how things take a twist...I've read people getting criticized for things such as how to handle a bridezilla, how the bride SHOULD behave, how people aren't sticking to the topic and are insulting the original poster, etc etc...but now...wow
here there is criticism on people trying to be NICE!
I can't say I don't appreciate being nice, and how can a comment be judged valuable or not...EVERY PERSON'S opinion is valuable!
seagoat, how many synonyms are there for "beautiful"...if someone uses that word to describe your cake you are offended by them using it for someone else? People take the time out of their day to comment on your picture, appreciate it! Now you expect them to think up something original for EACH picture they see...wow...reminds me of the bride who was offended by the same cake flavour being used for a birthday cake...yikes!
Hey Sheeny, I agree! We are starting to sound like the bride that complained about the cake flavor at the party before her wedding. Sigh.
I agree with the Gallery Support Members. Unconstructive comments are nice. I think of it as "wow! Someone took a moment out of their day to look at my cake and say something. That was very sweet."
I suggest the poster just remove the comment function from their pictures if this is bothering them. I think the poster is well in the minority of not appreciating quick comments.
I do what Indydebi does, though, and try to think of something poignant to say that shows I payed attention to someone's cake when I do take the time to comment. My mom taught me that in real life too. I never say to other ladies "nice outfit". I say "I love your shoes" or "thats a great color for you".
Anyway, I suggest you just take your comment functionality off so this doesnt bother you.
I am also a Gallery Supporter and have not done it for a long time due to a thread like this. And recall some people being ask to be removed from this option.
I'm sorry, but this ranks right up there at the top of "one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard" list.
I have seen so many threads about people being Mean, Rude, Nasty and so forth, and I am sure in some cases it was this obscure "constructive criticism/critiquing" that people are talking about, at least to the person leaving the comment.
Now leaving a nice short comment is not enough. You can't have to both ways.
We should all be glad that something about our cake or whatever it is has caught someoneâs eye in the first place.
It is way too much going on with this site to write a book on everyone's pics or to guess whether you can âas nicely as possible tell someone that they need to do something to improve, (FILL IN THE BLANK)â as if they donât know that.
You know if your icing isnât smooth enough, your fondant stretched too much, your cake isnât level or your roses suck.
We all have eyes; we can see what it should look like. We have some amazing decorators here and if yours does not look as good as theirs you already know it, at least I do.
I love the comments no matter how long or short. But I am just glad that someone stopped to look at all.
Sorry for the rant. Itâs just another thing that makes me crazy on here.
This site has thousands of members, I very much doubt when people are trawling through the photos they'll be able to remember which members only want particular comments.
I suggest if you are unhappy with the comment you get that you disable the comment function, otherwise, you'll likely have to take what you get!
I think it's a common misunderstanding on this site that if you only get one comment or a few views it's because you think people think your cake isn't very good, but I do not believe this to be the case. Unfortunately there are just times when you upload your picture so are 100 plus other people! Well then it's likely your picture just gets pushed along. It doesn't mean your cake is crap and it doesn't mean that you should remove the picture, if you make sure you fill in your keywords, then your picture will always be found. I still on occasion receive comments on photos that I post several months ago because someone obviously did a search and saw it, liked it, commented. I use the search function all the time for particular ideas and I've commented on photos I've never seen before dated from 2006.
As a free discussion board, the photo option on here is a courtesy, instead of complaining go post a couple of comments and make someone else happy!
I agree if you are going to be choose about the comments you want, maybe you should disable them. Personally if I am between classes I only have 10 minutes and not a lot of time to think of something deep maybe only a few words, and I would rather the few worlds go to someone that will appreciate it other than complain about it.
I think this subject hits a lot of emotions.
It takes a lot to make a cake, then take a picture, put it up on the web for ANYONE, not just CC's to see, and then for some people to be open to comments on their work. I agree with PP. I am just happy enough to be able to put my cakes up there with other people who have been doing this longer and have more skill then I do. I have my CC's that I look up to and want to strive to get my skills as nice as theirs. So I compare my photos to theirs. It's just a personal goal, but something that keeps me going.
I agree that if people want constructive comments, they need to post that. But at the same time there are threads on here like 10 pages long, about people who have no comments. So I think the sword cuts both ways.
I personally think that a comment or view is positive, even if it is a short scribble.
That's my two cents.
First off I read don't put pics in your favs if you don't leave a comment , then i't don't leave a comment unless it's sincere, what's next? Ask my husband if all my comments in life are sincere, like "I'd love to have your whole family for dinner Sunday" I only comment if I mean it, sorry if they aren't long and flowery.
my two cents!
I looked through your pictures and think some are just cute. some are great ideas and others just look yummy.
Now in that do I think they are flawless. No not all of them. THE BELLY ONE IS TO CUTE!!!
But you know what NO ONE IS PURFECT! so dont dought your abilitlie on that. and what ever you do DO NOT!!!!! let the opinions of others OR LACK OF... determine your abilities!!!!
If you would like information PM the people you want to learn from. I DO! and I have only had 1 person not respond.....Maybe their internet connection is down who knows but everyone here as far as I see it. IS HONEST!!!!!!!!!!
If I can't get some really good feedback, I would rather wait for one of those designated cake artists to give me some really good information on what they like. If you comment out of courtesy, you take my cakes off that list.
Those "designated" cake artists (myself included) are members with 100 posts or more who request to be a Gallery Supporter Member. That doesn't mean we're any better than anybody else at leaving "perfect" comments on your cake photos.
.
I guess this is why I'm confused by this whole thread. The Gallery Supporters don't have to be experienced decorators, it's possible that some of them have only decorated a couple cakes since it doesn't take long to hit that 100 post mark. Many of the comments I've gotten from them have been short depending on time limits, etc. The whole point of having them isn't to give constructive comments but to make sure that every cake gets at least one comment, if I'm not mistaken there are no "rules" governing what they are supposed to give for comments except that it needs to be positive.
I honestly think that maybe there should be a ban on threads about comments/favorites/viewing if they're complaining about how people go about doing these things. There are far too many complaining about how someone put a picture in favorites without commenting or looked at it and didn't make a comment or how they think comments should be phrased. It really doesn't matter all that much to get upset about it.
Try to remember that alot of people do still comment long after the first comment and they might have a comment you find helpful at that point.
I have a couple cake pics that have the most amazing (pretty, beautiful, cute) comments! But mixed in are a few "this is so pretty" ... or "wow" ... ahhh, I LOVE THEM ALL!! And one person (If I knew who she was I'd hug her) told me that I did a better job on a cake than she had (and she went to some pastry school thing!) 
But "WOW" ... I love that one too, and if a Gallery Supporter took a moment to view my cake and thought "WOW" and then took the time to write "Wow!" ... well, that's cool!!
And then ,,, there are the not so "fantastic" cakes of mine ... I posted one a few days ago. I knew it wouldn't get many comments or faves (because it is a comment set up) and it got a fave ... but no comment 
... then lo and behold, I got a comment ... probably a GSM ... but, the comment was appreciated ... SO THANK YOU TO WHOEVER WROTE IT!! (Because you wouldn't have taken the time to comment if you didn't mean it!!)
And here's a {{hug}} to all the crying Gallery Supporters --- WE LOVE YOU ALL!!!
mbelgard wrote; I honestly think that maybe there should be a ban on threads about comments/favorites/viewing if they're complaining about how people go about doing these things. There are far too many complaining about how someone put a picture in favorites without commenting or looked at it and didn't make a comment or how they think comments should be phrased. It really doesn't matter all that much to get upset about it.
I AGREE!!! You were reading my mind when I first read this thread yesterday! These threads serve no purpose, none that I can find anyway, and if ever there was a meaning to "beating a dead horse" this subject is it!
Yesterday I chose to not be a part of this thread but I'll be darned if everytime I click on the homepage it is glaring me right in the face!
Two cents are in and now I am out of this thread. 
Will this thread ever die?? What does it really have to do with cake decorating? We all need ego stroking once in awhile. You can stroke mine anytime! I love comments. The original poster is out of this thread it seems, and the thread has taken on a life of its own. Time for a wake and a ghoulish Halloween burial to this one I say..
mbelgard wrote; I honestly think that maybe there should be a ban on threads about comments/favorites/viewing if they're complaining about how people go about doing these things. There are far too many complaining about how someone put a picture in favorites without commenting or looked at it and didn't make a comment or how they think comments should be phrased. It really doesn't matter all that much to get upset about it.
I AGREE!!! You were reading my mind when I first read this thread yesterday! These threads serve no purpose, none that I can find anyway, and if ever there was a meaning to "beating a dead horse" this subject is it!
Yesterday I chose to not be a part of this thread but I'll be darned if everytime I click on the homepage it is glaring me right in the face!
Two cents are in and now I am out of this thread.
I agree with both of you. You want someone to give you their honest thought about your cake you better be prepared that some will tell you "nice cake but you should have chosen another color and that border well it should be different." If that is what you want DO NOT post in the forum because some wrote something you did not like you ask for it and you may get some great information but then someone may not think the same way. Take the good with the bad.
I have made a lot of cakes not all posted here but I am happy with my work. Hey, I have gotten cute cake, love it and I happy with it not need to whine about glad someone took the time in type a comment. I have had more PM about my cakes then comments so who cares. Not me.
Mac, I have that same error problem (on my outlook) only on this web site, but if I pull this web site up on my Internet Explorer I do not get the erorr message. Had hubbie look at it (computer whiz) and he could not figure it out so I just open under the I.E. now. BTW I posted earlier but I forgot to say "THANK YOU" to all of the decorators that has left comments under my cake pictures, I am not as good as you guys and never will be but I enjoy the comments, and yes I will admit it makes me happy and proud that someone took the time to leave a comment so once again let me say "THANK YOU", any and all comments are appreciated.
I'd like to thank all the Gallery Supporters who take time out of their lives to leave comments. I am new to decorating and I will be the first one to admit that my skill level is amateur at best. As a newbie it is intimidating to post pictures on this site with all of the fabulous creations that are on here. The fact that someone would notice one of my pictures out of the thousands of great pictures uploaded everyday is a huge compliment and it makes my day.
As far as the cute issue goes, I am cute. My favorite colors are pink and green and I wear them all the time. I wear plaid and polka dots, have several pairs of shoes with bows on them and will slap a monogram on anything that will stand still long enough. My friends and family make fun of me and so do I, but that's who I am. It means that most of what I "create" is cute too. So feel free to say cute all you want. I take it as the highest form of praise!
I didn't plan to get involved in this discussion but i just wanted to say that TO ME, the pic comments are just one of the wonderful PERKS of this site. I find the real valuable information to be in the forums, articles, recipes, and of course the gallery.... but mostly the forums.... I have left many short comments, but i don't feel badly. I dont always have lots of time to critique each cake. But if i like it, i will tell you! I have gotten some fantastic comments, but i am very grateful for ALL of them. If i want feedback on a certain aspect of a cake, cookie, idea, I ask for it specifically. i have asked questions in the forums, PM'ed people about things i wanted to learn, and asked questions in the descriptions under my pics. I have always gotten great advice when i needed it. I think the Gallery Supporters are a great idea.... and a wonderful group of people who signed up (i am assuming because it is my reason for wanting to join eventually) because they want everyone to feel welcome and noticed and appreciated. When i have more time to devote to the gallery i want to request to be a gallery supporter, but when i do, i wont necessarily be able to give you the advice or constructive criticsim you may be seeking. i am not a professional, but i know that a lot of work goes into decorating cakes and cookies, and i want to make other people feel as good about their art as so many of you have made me feel!
woodyfam, maybe in your comment section you should ask for comments only from gallery supporters. Since the only qualification to become a gallery supporter is to have 100 posts, I'm not sure why this is so important for you but whatever. With so many members, no one is going to be able to remember who wants what so if you only want certain members to comment then say so when you post the pic or turn your comments off altogether. I, for one, am glad for any comments I get even if they are only one word. If someone thinks my cake is "cute" I'm good with that. AND...it doesn't matter if it comes from an expert or beginner, newbie or forum addict. I think we're all qualified, regardless of our skill level, to appreciate the cakes that are posted - that's why we're all here isn't it? Take any encouragement you can get and run with it.
It seemed to me that comments have been down lately and maybe this is why. It's a shame that someone is kind enough to leave a comment (I appreciate every one I have received--thank you very much) and then the comment is criticized. I can understand why the gallery member supporters would be discouraged. I hope that the GMS know how much they are appreciated for all the time they devote to us from their busy schedules. My grandson has a saying that is also the signature of one CC'er (sorry I don't remember who) "You get what you get and don't throw a fit".
well....I LOVE COMMENTS....short..long...anything...tells me someone care enough to open my page and look..Learn to appreciatte someone took the time to care!...you'll live longer being happy...
By the way ..PLEASE..PLEASE ..GO COMMENT ON MY CAKES....I swear i wont bite 
My days have been full and I don't get a chance to spend as much time as I use to here on CC.
If I see a cake that catches my eye I click on it. I try to use the first word that comes in my mind and take it from there when leaving a comment. Sometimes the word Beautiful comes to mind, I try to pick out details that makes the cake Beatuiful. Sometimes it's the whole cake and I can only say it's "Beatuiful".
A Gallery Supporter as far as I know doesn't have a quota to meet, so I don't think they are clicking on cakes to leave one word comments because they have too.
If some one types the word "nice" or "good work" at least they took time to look and say something.
I am so disappointed in The Gallery. There are threads; people look at my cakes and don't leave a comment, why do people only leave one word comments, they copied my cake and didn't give me credit, they made my cake a favorite and didn't leave a comment and so on.
If things like this is making your unhappy, don't put your cake in the Gallery. Otherwise, place your cake there to share and if you recieve a nice comment be flattered even if it is just "nice".
I've removed all my cakes that the system will allow, I rather not be a part of the Gallery. There was a time that members posted their pictures because they wanted to share ideas or show, I saw this and tried it. And just left it at that.
Then you have the member that puts a picture of their cake in a thread for comment. It's like saying "look, look at my cake tell me how nice it is".
I will continue as always, if I see a cake that catches my eye I will leave a comment.
It seemed to me that comments have been down lately and maybe this is why. It's a shame that someone is kind enough to leave a comment (I appreciate every one I have received--thank you very much) and then the comment is criticized. I can understand why the gallery member supporters would be discouraged.
Exactly! I am scared to even leave a comment, because we're darned if we do and we're darned if we don't. Some get upset when there are three pages of uncommented photos. Some get upset if their cake is someone's favorite, but that person didn't leave a comment. Some get upset when we say "Cute" or "Nice". Some get upset if we say "Try doing this differently next time". Some get upset when they post a question and fifty people look but no one answers....wait, that's another bitchy thread.....
Okay, I'm not coming back in here, I'm not coming back in here, I'm not coming back......
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