Since no one has any obligation to post anything at all to this forum, those who do post prompt, brief, polite, and informative replies to inquiries are doing something much better than nothing and therefore are to be commended, not censured.

People who feel that more expansive "friendlier" replies are called for, are certainly free to provide them themselves.

People who interpret brevity as personal rejection are their own worst enemies.

People who find nothing attractive about Mudcat other than the opportunity for friendly personal conversation are probably in the wrong place.