Say someone saw Buddhism.Stackexchange yesterday and joined in, Then that means that this particular person is not interested in the laws or policies here. He or she has a question and that question will be asked in his/her own Form,words,grammar knowledge & softness or harshness.
If we are able to answer the question and the next day this person login he sees a bunch of answers and some Rep to his profile he will be exited and the he will come again. After this we can slowly lay the rules and regulations on him.
We can take the time to edit the question according to the policies and make it suitable. And by the way giving a thumbs up for a new user and encouraging him or her is a great thing to do but for some reason people are very picky on that too, I mean come on we are not reviving movies on Oscars. It is just a new user with his or her own little question, if we are able to show both verbal and emotional feedback with answers and up votes/stars it will help the new user to be more open next time.