is it ok to ask "are you a troll"?

[ZingTheGreat]

just that. when we suspect that something is fishy I don't want to have to report a thread.
that's not troll hunting IMO, it's troll interviewing.
that should be allowed.

Every now and then I want to ask the OP if they are a troll.
we could do this 1 time per thread. if OP says no then we believe them,
if no answer it's a troll.
easy peasy

how about that?

I'm fed up with fucking trolls and I just want to ask this question on the thread.

And what do you expect them to answer?

Yes I'm a troll.
Really?

Asking "are you a troll" is troll hunting in HQ's eyes.

No

Do carry on reporting as per guidelines, add extra info if you have any, illuminate pattern of posting if you've spotted any etc

I KNOW the trolls are making, feel your pain

EatShit

I'm counting on element of surprise. I expect quivering lips and wringing of hands

if they are never asked, straight out, they don't have a chance to fess up.
so we need to give them a chance

yes, that'd be ace

but I just want to be able to ask that question.

Zing, bless you!
What a charming idea - I fear destined for failure

"Are you a troll?"
"What? Moi?? How v v dare you? Waaaaaah, MNHQ, Zing is troll-hunting and bullying me! Wah, wah, wah!!!"

Nope, it wouldn't work.
I'm rubbish at spotting trolls (as I have only recently demonstrated), but quite good at shrugging the experience off.

i think pointing out inconsistencies within their posts works better and isn't counted as troll hunting.

Give them enough rope and all that

It's not allowed but I know exactly what you mean Zing.

Maybe Scotland Yard and MI5 should adopt this approach??

MI5: "Are you a terrorist?"

Man with explosive device strapped to his person- "No"

MI5: "ok then, have a nice day"

:) All that money wasted on "intelligence" and all they had to do was ask!

Are you a troll Zing?

but what if I had a signed permission to ask "are you a troll?" from MNHQ?

a licence to quizz

Mardy

no

see, it's that simple. now you know

lemis

Yesss! that is exactly what I mean! wouldn't it save time and resources?

00Zing - Licence to Quiz

you mean like a Trollholm Syndrome?

Look at the thread that got deleted last night about the woman whose baby stopped moving and who was able to get to hospital, be seen by 2 doctors and get home all within about an hour or so. When accused in a sideways manner of being a troll she blustered on about how sick such a person would be. They have no shame!

It's annoying Zing but we should all just rise above it!

How about a troll topic? Keep them all contained.

mupperon

yes, I know, the other thread is still live. I'm flummoxed

Will you be stroking a white cat when you ask?

Oooh, I like the idea of a Troll Topic!

The topic police could herd them all in the right direction.
Maybe we could have some border collies to nip their heels if they try to break out in to other topics.

Admit it Zing. You want a big oak desk with a swively lamp so you can ask 'Are you a troll?' In menacing bad cop having way to much fun style.