diff -r 40b259aa4efd patch.rst
--- a/patch.rst	Thu Jan 03 09:14:35 2013 +0200
+++ b/patch.rst	Sat Jan 05 00:25:05 2013 -0500
@@ -140,8 +140,11 @@
 reviewed requires a reviewer to have the spare time and motivation to
 look at your patch (we cannot force anyone to review patches). If your patch has
 not received any notice from reviewers (i.e., no comment made) after a
-substantial amount of time then you may
-email python-dev@python.org asking for someone to take a look at your patch.
+substantial amount of time first "ping" the issue on the `issue tracker`_
+to remind the nosy list that the patch needs a review.  It is possible that 
+the nosy committers have just forgotten about the issue.  After the issue
+has been "pinged" and if you don't get a response after a few days then you may
+email python-dev@python.org asking for someone to review your patch.
 
 When someone does manage to find the time to look at your patch they will most
 likely make comments about how it can be improved (don't worry, even core