Expert: Martin G Roberts - 7/2/2006

Question
first you were the only one listed and available that remotely qualified and second I didn't imagine you would be such an ignoramous and so exceedingly rude!
An expert you may be but well bread you are not!
Pardon me for daring to expand your brainpan!

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Followup To

Question -
Hi!
In my cupboard, I have a set of extremely fragile dishes that date back, I am told to the late 1800s.
The story that goes with them, is that my great grandmother got them at a worlds faire in either St Louis or San Fansisco.
I have the complete set, with the exception of 1 plate and 1 tea cup. The set includes a teapot, sugar and milk, plates, saucers, fruit bowls and a serving plate.
What is unique is that they are made of a type of china that is translucent and are red with paintings of chinese pagodas and such on them. They are very beautiful and very delicate.
I wonder if you could tell me where to possibly find more information on them. I have serched the web extensivly with no success.
Thank you in advance!

Answer -
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When you typed in this question, you were presented with a clear statement of my area of expertise - which is antique pewter from the British Isles. Can you please explain why you think it appropriate to ask this irrelevant question of me?  

Answer
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Like all the experts on AllExperts, I volunteer my time to answer questions. That means I receive not benefit whatsoever from seeking to help others with their enquiries. You are not charged for the service either.

It is reasonable, therefore, to expect enquirers to ensure that their enquiry is relevant to the field of interest of the expert. If you do not, you are unnecessarily wasting people's time, which in turn leads to experts resigning from the site. Your obscenely abusive response merely adds to the frustration felt by helpful souls like myself.

Well-bred (yes, that's how it's spelt - it's not a bakery product): well, I'm not sure how you can distinguish. I asked you to explain why you had sent an irrelevant question. I was not rude, but you were.

Ignoramus (yes, that's how it's spelt - only an ignoramus would get it wrong): no, not that - a professional researcher and university lecturer is unlikely to qualify for that descriptor.

I did not sign up on this site to have my 'brainpan' expanded - the idea is for me to enlighten others, not the other way round.

Now go away and stop being so silly.