Can we say...H/T Top Unicorn..for example. And that we may be “questing Black & White” as an example. Thank you.
Carmel

I would hope so.

I will write what I am looking for and if the gdn has an alert I post that I will stay and try.   That is different to saying you need it etc. As it let's the gdn owner know its covered and others that the critters up for grabs too.

Hi,
If you need to tell the garden owner that you are doing a certain quest, I'd suggest posting it on their back wall, then it won't be interpreted by game moderators as trying to get others to stop watering

You can post that there's an alert in a garden if you like - as long as the intention is to invite others to try and spot it too, not to tell others to stop playing. Maybe you can make this explicit in your message, to avoid misinterpretation

What's the point of the message board if not for visitors to communicate with each other and help each other out? I'm a little puzzled about this labeling everyone who posts they are looking for something for a quest as having the ill intentions "to tell others to stop playing"... with all due respect I find this is not stopping the bullying but it may hinder the kindness I've witnessed many times among players and made me love this game. Just saying. I hate to know that someone who visits my garden may feel scared of saying they need something, I'd like everyone to be free to say so. That does not prevent anyone else who may need the same critter to keep watering or stating they need it as well, if they chose so, after all, who gets the critter, in the end, is out of luck. I'll abide with this rule but I do find it more harmfull to the morale than beneficial. Just my honest opinion.

“Questing” has been one of the main tools used to intimidate other players. Not only do many post it on the garden wall, they also post on back walls as well

I've never thought of any message about needing a critter as "intimidation". It doesn't actually prevent anyone to keep watering, the only one who could actually stop that was the owner, that was bad, and it's been addressed. Assuming ill intentions behind messages is not the spirit I play with.

Sounds like  it may be better off just to water /  sprinkle at your own style without leaving any kind of note at all for fear it will be misinterpreted.

It may not be the spirit you play with but there arw a reasonable number that do set out to deter and intimidate others. The “questing” messages are not always simply informational especially when they can be posted multiple times on the wall and contain the  “I need  this” statement or “I have been sprinkling for ages” etc.  So is posting similar messages on another sprinkler’s  back wall. I am glad to see this passive-agressive tactic sidelined.

I think the messages are good!!
I never write 'questing' myself but, I often leave a garden if I don't need the critter to let someone else catch it.. if I know that's what they are hunting for, how else would you know? I think garden communication is good.
I always write "looking for unicorn" or "hunting unicorn" ?? so now I can't write this?
I agree that the majority of good players are having to moderate their behaviour to suit the small percentage of "rule breakers".