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Wikipedia:Unsolicited advice

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Every editor comes to Wikipedia with their own view of what Wikipedia should look like. The community comes together overtime to set out rules it agrees should be followed. Sometimes editors treat their own opinions for that of community consensus.

They will tell others what to do, not because it conflicts with a policy or is disruptive to encyclopedic content, but because it is something they wouldn't do. They may also precieve a burden being placed on them, when there is none, see WP:Participation optional. They may also thing they're being helpful, but they're not.

While you may think your being helpful, other people especially the user you're giving advice to can find it controlling or demeaning. Remember, Wikipedia is a volunteer service, you're not the boss of anyone. In proposals and discussions related to content, it is best to focus on the content, and raise behaviour concerns elsewhere, like on their user talk page.

Editors shouldn't directing comments at specific editors about what they should and shouldn't edit, unless it concerns a policy or guideline like WP:Disruptive editing.

Don't sideline the sanctions process

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When giving warnings related to policies and guidelines you should demand no more than compliance is already clearly established as consensus. Telling editors to consult with policies and guidelines is fine. Cautioning users to take specific actions required by policy, is fine. But, suggesting general restrictions like avoiding entire noticeboards or making edits to entire classes of pages should not be done, unless it is a proposal for sanctions at an appropriate noticeboard. Using user warning templates can help avoid this, as they generally are focused around specific policies, guidelines and established principals, and can help prevent you from making unreasonable demands.

Don't threaten to make a proposal for sanctions to try to coerce desired behaviour out of a person. If you're not currently proposing sanctions for a user, don't bring up the possibility sanctions against them.

See also

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