Basically, whenever you do something really dumb . Generally, if you read all the stickies and follow their advice, if you don't use aimspeak, nonsarcastic leet, StIcKyCaPs or any of the other annoyances of that sort, and if you don't go around mindlessly insulting people who don't deserve it, there's a pretty good chance you'll never be flamed at all .
Unless you talk to the wrong people, of course. But then, the rest of the people in the thread will usually come to your aid.
A lot of that stuff pisses me off too, so I probably won't have a hard time fitting in.
Thanks.