Can I suggest to the Hackage Whoever a slight change in policy?
I think the shock of seeing a package takeover request for your own package is understandably, uh, shocking, and makes the ensuing discussion tense. I also feel like most takeover requests follow this pattern; rarely does a package end up changing hands.
Perhaps it's a problem of tone.
Rather than suggesting "State your intention to take over the package in a public forum ", step 2 should lighten up and state, "After trying to reach the maintainer for a reasonable amount of time, reach out to the public to expand your search."