Template:FBDB/doc

Millions have used {{FBDB}} – you should too!

I could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody, but thanks to {{FBDB}}, I wouldn’t lose any voters, okay? It's, like, incredible.

Friendly Banter – Don't Block!

Purpose

Even when speak­ing in­fal­li­bly, I hedge my bets by adding {{FBDB}}.

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.)

No template can prevent all block drama. When using {{FBDB}}, tell an admin right away if you experience fainting, mental/mood changes (such as increased anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, ambivalence at AfD), trouble assuming good faith, diarrhea of the mouth (especially at ANI), touchpad tremor, inability to hear people, carpal tunnel syndrome, rigidity of talk-page positions, electoral dysfunction, inability to reach consensus, POV, trouble controlling certain urges (such as gambling, sex, eating, shopping, beating of dead animals, saving without previewing, or article vandalism), or editing during sleep. Editing in certain topic areas may increase these risks. If you are blocked, discontinue use of {{FBDB}} and notify ArbCom, as some blocks may become permanent. Not for use with BLPs.

A crack at the right moment can often break the tension.

FBDB – By appointment to Her Majesty the Queen

Usage

• {{FBDB}} →
• {{FBDB|reason=Tooltip text}} → Tooltip text (which must be plain text – no links, HTML, or other markup) will appear in the pop-up tooltip.
• {{Friendly Banter Don't Block}} →
• {{Fucking bastard douchebag}}

How to respond to this template

This template is a little like the emoticons ;) and ;P, or the /j or /sarc tone indicator – 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 WP:TROUT.

Testimonials

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

— MJL ‐Talk‐^☖ 00:14, 22 August 2019 (UTC)

I've used this template before. It set my car on fire, ruined a leftover burrito I was saving, and kicked my dog.

— GMG^talk 18:04, 26 July 2023 (UTC))

EEng, you still owe me a beer! Don't think I haven't forgotten, you freeloading, wise-cracking, dogkicking cur!

— ⛵ WaltClipper -(talk) 14:02, 17 August 2023 (UTC)

This template is blasphemous and horrible.

— Queen of Hearts ❤️ (no relation) 02:33, 19 November 2023 (UTC)

I didn't use this template and I am now in political exile because the rEaL editors are not familiar with h-u-m-o-r or its distant cousin h-u-m-o-u-r. Halp!

— ~ 🦝 Shushugah (he/him • talk) 19:20, 27 January 2024 (UTC)

See also

• Poe's law
• Hanlon's razor
• Wikipedia:Diffusing conflict