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Linda Blanchard writes:

>I suspect that answers may be going to individuals, while the
>emailers perhaps don't realize that others would be interested in hearing
>what got said...?

I've noticed my own tendency to answer privately under the following
conditions:
1.) I want to relate something I don't want to discuss with 500 people;
2.) I want to tell a newbie something I've already written to the list;
3.) I want to answer a newbie FAQ-type question that has already been
    written to the list.
4.) I want to bring up a topic that I've noticed gets people edgy or dogmatic.
5.) I have a something unusual in common with the questioner, e.g., acute
    lactose intolerance, chronic upper respiratory symptoms or eczema when
    gluten enters the diet, etc.

I propose leaving it up to the questioner to report back to the list a
general summary of the responses. I recall as a newbie reading a promise or
two to that effect. I know I haven't posted everything I've researched, so
"it ain't perfect" as solutions go, but I won't be offended if someone
reminds me that they're waiting to hear what I learned about such-and-such.
It would make it more pleasant to write up the summary, knowing my
contribution meant something.

Speaking of which, thanks to everyone interested in making their own diet
cards. I don't eat out much since I went off canola oil, (the result of one
of my research projects) so it made the time spent on the card more than
worthwhile since I got to share it with my new "friends on the list."

Thanks to Linda for bringing up the subject of etiquette,
Mary

Mary Courtney
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Los Angeles, California