Template:FBDB/doc

Purpose
Friendly Banter – Don't Block!

This template may be used (on Talk pages and in Project space) to tag friendly banter which might otherwise be misinterpreted, by persons humor-impaired, as incivility or personal attack. It thus helps prevent unnecessary block-drama. It was created after an editor got blocked for adding the image and comment seen at the bottom of this ANI thread.

'WARNING:'' Use with caution and at your own risk. This template is not a get-out-of-jail-free card for inappropriate behavior. Its function is to alert others to a prior relationship between editors within which teasing would be acceptable. In any appropriate use of this template:'''
 * (a) you must be confident the "targeted" user will understand and appreciate the humor;
 * (b) the friendly relationship between the two of you must not only exist, but be apparent to a third party without too much digging. (For example, there may be prior teasing, and even {fbdb}s, in the same discussion, or the two editors' talk pages may reveal a collegial relationship.)

Special caution should be exercised in tense situations. (Though a crack at the right moment can often break the tension, one needs to really know what one is doing.)



Usage

 * → Tooltip text (which must be plain text – no links, HTML, or other markup) will appear in the pop-up tooltip.
 * → Tooltip text (which must be plain text – no links, HTML, or other markup) will appear in the pop-up tooltip.

How to respond to this template
This template is a little like the emoticons ;) and ;P – its presence suggests there may be more going on than at first meets the eye.
 * If you're the "target" of {FBDB} and don't appreciate the attention, the best approach might be to contact the other editor on their talk page.
 * If you're a bystander and concerned about appropriateness, you may wish to ask the parties involved, but remember: {fbdb} will normally be used between experienced editors who can take care of themselves. On the other hand, if you simply don't get the joke and want to be let in on it, feel free to ask!
 * The purpose of this template is to reduce work and drama, not create it; if someone uses it in a way that has the opposite effect, smack 'em with a FP:TROUT.

Testimonials
"I've used this template before, and I can still say that I have a clean block log."