Why do you use Gransnet?

Perhaps we need more tips as some of us seem to know how to 'tag' previous posters but others don't.

If you want your post to be directed at a specific person and for them to know use @Bluegal but if you just want to refer to a previous poster or link your post to a previous post use bluegal so its more obvious your comments are in relation to their post.

Some posts can be harsh but as Grans we should be aware they are all the opinion of the poster and we don't have to agree. In fact it is in disagreement that we can challenge our own personal views and opinions which may be skewed! Harsh posts are usually balanced by someone calling the harsh commenter out. Mumsnet is a whole lot more caustic at times with much longer threads too - some with more than 900 posts!

I visit Gransnet via my daily email and only click on the featured threads mentioned there. I find that some of the other stuff can be a little to Saga-esque at times. We might be Grans but we're still with it!

I wouldn't want a 'like' button - I think there would be less response and I like the wide range of responses we get.

Please please get rid of the D before everyone’s name e.g. DH or DD it just reads so twee & unecessary when serious topics are being discussed

A way to ‘tag’ other users so that they get a notification they have been mentioned would be a massive quality of life improvement, but I realise that’s a major technical upgrade to the forum.

@muffinthemoo

Bold: hello gives hello

I enjoy the camaraderie, the banter and advice.
Sometimes it's serious, sometimes very funny.
The recipes are wonderful and interesting too.
I am quite isolated and can be lonely sometimes, Gransnet (and Mumsnet) help fill a void. ?

I agree with TheOldDear that the threads become long and unwieldy and it is hard to find ones way through them, and it would be good if you were notified if someone responds to something you have posted.

I get a notification at around 10 am most days. I will open and read the five or six discussions. I often make a comment but wish it was possible to reply to a specific person. I also belong to a forum called Knitting Paradise. i have to say, their forum is much more user friendly. Sorry gransnet. I love you really!

..agree with most of the above.
also made a couple of truly good friends which is lovely!
Main answer though--need GN for my sanity!!!

It's nude to be able to hear about other nan's who may have similar problem to me, or I mate able to advise someone who is going through a situation tbd I've been through.

I enter the competitions and browse the recipes and look at the forum page from the daily email link. I am just amazed that people can't solve their own problems and need to ask unknown people on the internet for advice about things which are often just common sense. I thought my generation, born in the 1950s, would be more resilient. I am also saddened to read that an awful lot of posters are estranged from their families ( how did they let that happen over the years) and that the majority of gransnetters seem of a left wing slant who seem to think anyone who has a different view must be racist and shouldn't be able to say what they think or speak the truth!

I also came here through the competitions (I have won twice) and there were a couple of interesting conversations so I joined in and I have found some interesting information about products and such like.
I agree about the threads sometimes getting too long, also I would like to be able to go back directly to the comment I made to see if there have been responses to it.
There are a few people who seem to be unkind for no reason and they have friends who will join in if you challenge it and it would be quite nice to be able to block them, although saying that I very rarely block anyone on facebook so I probably wouldn't do it as it feels like defeat.
Generally, I like the layout of the forum. It is better than the forums on Mature Times or Silversurfers so I don't really look at them except for the competitions.
I do look at the recipes but for they don't print (I presume that that is intentional) and so I don't use them.
I found the article on the retirement properties interesting. My mother rents a similar place in Canada which she likes. They tend not to have them for sale where she is and they don't seem to have them to rent here (or if they do they are hard to find) which is strange. It would be interesting to have an article on other options than buying when people start to need a bit of support but not full care.
Maybe less initialling or people putting the full words in brackets when anything other than the most common ones are used.
I also agree that it would be good to reply directly to comments rather than having to search for responses.
I wouldn't want to see major changes though as it is better than many other forums.

Giving and getting advice mostly. I occasionally search for a particular subject, and now and again I play a game or two.

I read it to be flabbergasted at what some people post. Often wonder that many do not appreciate what they have and moan about petty matters. Wanting help to name aa cat?? What to wear in hot weather?- I ask you!

Can we have a gransnet Meetup page. Where anyone can put a meet up on. Anything from a coffee to philosophy. In areas but if on holiday you can see if a Meetup is happening in that area also. I love the threads. I never click bait.

I agree about the 'D' before DH, DD etc. It could mean 'darling' dearest' etc. but also could mean the opposite!
Just seems a bit patronising to me? My opinion only!
Why not just H for husband, D1 for eldest daughter, D2 the next, MIL mother-in-law etc.
I also agree about some very judgemental posts I have read in the past - some directed at me but mainly to others - that is so unnecessary and cruel at times but fortunately that seems to be rarer nowadays.
I referred to my 'DH' as 'hubby' in a post a while ago and you would have thought I'd committed a major crime with the reactions I got from some!
However, we are all different - but we need to respect that.

I use it for all the suggestions mentioned. I read first thing in the morning usually as part of my routine email reading. I find some of the stories and predicaments really interesting and always mention something from gransnet to my husband, so he gets involved too! I like entering competitions and was once lucky enough to win a book. I think that any reading broadens one's horizons and there are enough sensible answers out there (from gransnetters) to help many a situation.

We have an ongoing problem with our DIL and so asked for comments and advice. Although living in France as we do, we tend to think somewhat differently to residents of the UK, the advice given was worthy of much thought, and for which we wrote especially to give our thanks. We did not agree with all of what was written, but having a large number of respondents, with different input, it gave us food for thought.

I use Gransnet as a way of keeping abreast of what is going on in the UK as I no longer live there, and because I was afraid that having retired I might just turn into one of those hidebound old ladies I have always detested who listen to no-one's opinion except their own.

It does me good to consider other points of view and opinions, as DH and I tend to think alike on major points.

I had never before tried a forum of this kind, so it was a bit of an adventure. I enjoy "meeting" you all.

I only use the forums, usually only the most popular from the Gransnet Team email but that is because I just don't have enough time to be more involved. According to my husband, I am already too involved!
I'd like to see some sort of "voting up/down system" or a "like" button along with the ability to reply direct to a particular comment although I suspect that might cause more arguments. I find the bookmarking system a bit clunky, sometimes it works, other times it doesn't!
I love to hear other people's opinions and sometimes, even at my great age, I learn a thing or two.

I like it because you can say anything to all you virtual folk. I can moan, complain about hubby and kids.... I can praise people and I can tell them if I think they're talking rubbish. If I don't like what I'm hearing I can shut you all out....unlike my husband ...who I can't. It's my escape route outa my life!!

I enjoy the surprise that not knowing what the topics will be brings. I find out a few things. It makes me think how lucky I am. some times I feel like an agony aunt when I reply but I enjoy trying to give helpful advice.

It is more fun than Sudoku and keeps you alert.

I sometimes ask a question or post something then never see the thread again or know whether anyone has answered. On Digital Spy a message always comes up to say a reply is there.

I dipped in out of curiosity. Don't trust social media one whit but thought I might learn something in the grandparenting arena. However, I have reaped benefits in product selection and purchase by virtue of tips and guidance here (thank you all). Also I've been helped greatly by various methods of successful weight loss suggestions one of which did it for me (Jane10). General chat can be interesting but I quickly disappear when it becomes argumentative, abusive or sweary. No place for that in my life. I've also found huge satisfaction in reading of difficult, stimulating and exciting relationships that grandparents have with their grandchildren. I don't mean the extended family stuff. Just the direct GP to GC relationship. I came to this joyful state late and unexpectedly in my life and, contrary to my thinking, find it fascinating and wonderful but I'm certainly on a constant learning curve. I take on every tip I read here. I read here of people who refer to each other as virtual friends. I understand that may be brought about by longevity on this site but is still not a concept I relate to at all. I wonder how many of us would be surprised by the 'real thing' having drawn up some sort of mental concept of a regular contributor. I do realise some members do meet up. Can anyone say if they were surprised, delighted or disappointed?

It’s good to hear others views and opinions .... not so good when some are clearly unable to accept different opinions without turning aggressive though ?

I joined to find out what people of around my age are talking about. I've found some very helpful advice and also interesting discussions. However I've also discovered quite a bit of unpleasantness but I guess as we all come from different angles to the variety of subjects discussed that is par for the course. I wouldn't want to change it; it is providing a useful service and I do enjoy dipping in and out though I don't rely on it for friendships. A 'like' button would certainly be a useful addition as suggested by some posters.

I tend to look at GN when I get the email 10/11am if I'm at home. I always access on my laptop never my phone. I do sometimes comment but avoid Political posts. Some days I just read the initial post & don't comment. I'm a Nan in a new area 3.5 years, I have met one nice lady & hope to meet again. I love to hear others opinions. I too dislike the "nastiness" & sometimes aggression which I ignore.

Need to explore GN further such as books & competitions. I first came on GN out of curiosity