Am I wrong?

[geo0939]

Or is the idea of Answerbank that crossword fans log on with the intention of improving their solving skills? Or do some members try to finish the crosswords as quickly as possible, assuming that the first answer submitted will win the prize. I can assure you that this is not the case. It always surprises me that there seems to be a panic on the day that these crosswords are published, ie Saturday is Telegraph GK and Mail On Sunday the next day. Can't we give ourselves some time to solve the questions, ie; how often do we have another look at the crossword to see the answer staring us in the face. For me, this is the joy of doing crosswords, if I'm wrong please ignore this post and take it as the rantings of a boring old frat (sorry, typo).

[gen2]

You are not a boring old flat. There is a saying "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread. I avoid these pitfalls by avoiding any threads relating to the crosswordsI do myself and I save the crosswords themselves for an evening of relaxation after I have switched off the computer. If someone wants to ask, that is up to them, but I am not going to spoil my own enjoyment by getting involved.

I am however, willing to offer answers to crosswords / quizzes that I do not participate in. Each to his own. there are a sufficient variety of users on this site to meet all needs.

[geo0939]

Thanks for that gen2. I was beginning to think that I was in a minority of one. We must be kindred spirits, I finish the crosswords that I am doing and then log on to see if I can help others . The trouble is that certain crosswords seem to monopolise the weekend.
Regards geo.

[Alibobs]

It's nice to see some good , sensible discussion on this topic!

Different strokes for different folks -there are those that like to take their time, others like to finish asap.

I flit between the two here but if I don't want an answer then I don't read the post - easy! I certainly don't get upset when people post the answers- this is Answerbank after all!!!

[Aquagility]

It seems obvious to me that last in is just as likely to be first out. I am sure that most of the mail bags never get touched.

But I admit to getting frustrated when I have spent what seems like hours over one clue, and I just can't let it rest until I know the solution.

[geo0939]

Yes, I understand that Aqua, but why not sleep on it , think of the sense of achievement

[soleary]

Sometimes I just can't get started with a crossword and need help with a clue to get me going. I try by myself for a long time before seeking an answer and often I then kick myself as I realise I could have worked it out by myself, but sometimes the clues & answers are just so obscure I never would have got it in a million years!!

[geo0939]

Think of the fun you would have if you didn't have to kick yourself:-).

[soleary]

I know! I do love that sense of achievement. But sometimes they're just really hard!! (well, I get no satisfaction from the easy ones, so don't do them.)

[dzug]

I do get a bit nonplussed when requests for solutions start appearing before 9am on the day the crossword is published - my paper isn't usually delivered then! Even worse when someone claims to have finished it by then and I know I will be working on it (on and off) most of the day.

I try not to ask for assistance until at least the next day...

[Waugh2]

Geo0939, you say that crossword fans log on with the intention of improving their solving skills? What percentage do you reckon do that? 5? 10? Certainly no more than that. I am afraid that the proof of this is the number of non-prize crossword clues that are requested.

Sadly, it is the prize that matters to most and even those who just could not complete a crossword by themselves in a hundred years are just given answers week in, week out. If they were learning they would come on this site less and less as the weeks go by. But it just does not happen - back they come and ask for, and are given, answers. When does the supposed learning stop and laziness start? For most, sadly, the former has never actually begun.

[tcmoon]

I admit to using AB when I have one or two toughies but whenever I log in, I see clues for various crosswords, most of which I don't do, and often find myself daring me to answer (in thought) then clicking to see if I guessed right and/or remembered correctly.

I find it both amazing and fascinating that some clues give answers that make me say "Hmm, I NEVER knew that!" So in that case, it's educational.

Like others, before asking for help, I do endeavour to finish the crossword before requesting and I've won a few times and you know what, whether ironic or not, the five or so I've won were completed totally without help.

But that doesn't mean to say that those who need help shouldn't have it, after all, those of us who can and do help, we get something back, a kind of good deed reward of satisfaction.

I think this site is very helpful to more people than probably ever submit anything. A friend of mines teenage daughter needed something answering and the URL for AB was one of those I gave her to research with. Needless to say, she managed to answer all she needed.
take care all
tc X