Sorry- this left me with a bad taste in my mouth and I had to comment on it.

There are a few people that I have in my regulars list that I often leave comments with- friends like Jody and Linda as I mentioned earlier (just to use them as an example.) I love seeing what they've come up with and I have never felt "obligated" to them. I comment on all their layouts because I want to. I certainly hope that they don't feel obligated to me (or anyone else that visits.) Then there are the other regulars that I just browse their galleries and I don't have to comment on all their layouts but they know I'm around and that's good enough for all of us (or it really should be!) This is not about obligation- I just brought up the whole returning comments deal because I think it's just common courtesy and the nice thing to do. It takes less than a minute. Not everyone has fancy programs to work with but they all have something of value to share- whether it be a really cute kid, making their own graphics, photography or whatever. The funny thing is, I think it's the "norm" for the majority of people NOT to return comments (unless it's someone that's a part of their friends network.) This is where the exclusion comes in. I mean, how can anyone shine or improve if no one wants to acknowledge them at all? This is a community, it's supposed to be all about scrapbooking, but unfortunately it's a bit clique-y (like most communities.) I've seen a ton of galleries with like 2 comments and their work is amazing. Then, on the other hand, there are newbies and people "under the radar" so to speak that don't return comments, either- so it works both ways.

So, that's what I was curious about in the first place.