That's not always appreciated.
Being too upstanding can be problematic. Over the years I've tried to behave as
I'd like my contacts to behave, and when I've received urban legends of this sort
I've practiced what I've preached. Understandably, we're in danger of treading
on shaky territory here. Nobody wants to be told "why don't you look it up
first, stupid!", so a little bit of tact can't hurt - and often it doesn't.
Numerous times I've sent a link and an explanation to someone from whom I've received
an urban legend passed on as truth, and quite a number of those times I've gotten
an honest "thank you" in response. A number of years ago however, in
response to a link I sent to someone from whom I'd already received what to my
mind was too many easily discreditable legends of this sort, I also added that
it took me approximately two minutes to learn that we were dealing with a myth,
and suggested that my correspondent should do the same. The rather irate response
I received was "I don't have the time to do that".
Go to: Bad Netizenship.