Hi, Ty.
I am going to TRY to explain, in my nearly always roundabout way, different possibilities here, and answer your question. Well, at least I will speculate after my usual digression. I have no doubt that I have already lost any possible viewers/readers right here. But I see that you seem to try in earnest to ask questions, bring to other various chess related items, etc. So, I think you deserve some feedback.
As I think you may know by now, I am probably as interested - if not moreso - in human interacton (and all that goes along with that when it comes to differences in cultural, generational, socio-econimic status, personal develomental stages, etc. etc. etc.) as I am in chess collecting. Regardless and however, that should really come as no surprise, since the phenomenon of chess collecting is merely a reflection of the human condition. Human nature does not change just because the focus is on chess sets.
I know of a number of people (including, I hate to admit it, myself) who (at least at times) I display behavior that - for whatever reason - displeases or irritates others. Sometimes, one's perspective on things is "right on"... sometimes the perspective is partially accurate, and sometimes, it is way off base.
I have known folks - both in this group and outside this group - who can display some unappealing behavior towards others. Again, I can claim guilt on that too. Sometimes, interestingly enough, the motivation for certain behavior is even known by "offender".
But also, sometimes, folks may be oblivious, ignorant, forgetful or denying of their own motivation for how and why they express themselves. They may not even be aware of their behavior.
So, what might some of these supposedly unappealing characteristics be?
1.) Having an opinion about everything (even when the person may not really know what they are talking about.)
2.) Seemingly intruding into the flow of conversation that others are having.
3.) Expressing oneself in such a manner that one may come across as arrogant.
4.) Feeling an obligation (or a complusion) to either correct everything deemed to be faulty or incorrect. (Examples: policing the airwaves; expressing what is "research" and what is not; questioning the expertise of apparently self-proclaimed "experts".)
5.) Having what initially seems to be a HUGE EGO - but in reality - having a very poor ego and sense of self. Such folks can never or seldom admit error or mistakes or (that which makes us human) imperfection. (Just how many times have you seen sincere apologies from anyone, over the many years, in any of these ebay CC threads? How many times might you have seen, "I was/am wrong"? One could probably count them on one hand.
"Good" traits and "Bad" traits can sometimes be easily seen in sellers, buyers, collectors,etc. (and frankly, in folks of all levels of intelligence, education, and socio-econimic levels.)
The seller you quoted may well be an angry, defensive, and arrogant person himself. But what I would also be interested in seeing is exactly HOW you brought to his attention the issue of style, origin, and age. I suspect that this particular seller may have, himself, been the victim of bullying sometime in his own life (and is sensitive about even constructive criticism, as well expressed as it might be), But it is also possible that the manner in which you came across may have easily elicited his reaction. I doubt if that is the situation here, but before I email this seller (to back you up), I would like to actually see what and how you wrote to him.
Thanks for your patience, Ty, in reading this longwinded (and possibly sermonizing) message!
John (of Vermont).
