Why do you use Gransnet?

I mainly just read the threads from the links in the daily email, although often the title doesn't really reflect the content.
Two dislikes - the DH etc and abbreviations - SIL seems to be used for son in law and sister in law and not everyone's H is a dear or darling.
Secondly the advert appearing above the links as I read on my iPad and have to keep scrolling down for the links instead of just seeing them - lazy, I know.

I log onto Gransnet from my Canadian home for two reasons ... Firstly the recipe section is useful and on the occasions when I need it I can always find "genuine" English style recipes. Secondly I often read the posts because so many of the subjects, opinions and views are a reminder to me of what a blessing it was to have moved to this great country five decades ago and in doing so we have reshaped our lives and particularly our outlook and perspective on life now we are in our retirement years.

It's comforting to realise that however big or small a problem might be, there is always support and advice. Also, that more often than not, someone else has gone through a very similar thing. We can't always talk to our nearest and dearest, but we can talk to other Gransnetters though, and that can lift you out of some very lonely places. A very big 'thankyou' for that.

Oh PS I would love an edit button as I alway see typos once I have posted

What bring me to Gransnet? mostly loneliness I lost my darling husband and while I still do work full time and am probably a younger gran than most, I like to feel part of something even though I don’t comment or get involved very much. I was on mum’s net but find the harshness and vile Language very off-putting nastiness for the sake of it isn’t my thing. Also, it’s all about celebrities rather than politics again not my thing. My daughter is in her 20s and prefers my Gransnet. I often forward her post about DILs and relationships.
I don’t use the games bit. I like the UK political and current affairs post. Although as I teach politics I am not allowed to comment on any such post. I like the competitions and cookery suggestions I would value more suggestions for people that live alone and find it difficult to be motivated when there no one to look after anymore. I love the fashion and beauty post and have no problem with articles aimed at looking younger. There are no meet up groups in my area (SO1) but that is something I would be interested in.
I have never seen craft or ideas or anything on recycling this is something I took up when my husband died and would be very interested in ideas.
AS a teacher who is widowed I work full time but weekends evening, half terms and seasonal holidays are long and lonely so that’s where Gransnet comes in.Thank you
I don't have facebook
. Sorry if I have gone on it’s summer holidays and spoken to no one for a couple of weeks.

A friend recommended Gransnet to me when I was discussing some details of a family issue I had. It was comforting to realise that others have experienced similar situations and in many cases sadly, their problems are worse than mine. I continue to read the forums each day. There is always some topic of interest to me, and a lot of support for those who need it, which is so nice to see.

I just read the threads that come up on my daily email. I read them everyday. I sometimes comment, but have never seen anyone respond to my comments. It seems to be a friendship group as people comment that they know all about posters’ family problems etc. which, of course, I don’t. It feels a bit like an exclusive club and I’m an unwelcome member. Perhaps Gransnet would be better if new commenters were made to feel welcome and part of it, and not ignored when trying to contribute.

I think it has grown too big in the sense that it is not possible to cover all the various topics and keep up with anything general. I simply do not have the time to browse so just try to add helpful info from my experiences. Sometimes I get a response to my post but it is easily lost in the proliferation of all the other comments as is any further reply I make.

This means that there may be many places where I might make useful comment but never know about them. So many posts contain info not directly related to the OP so we could benefit from some elimination/replacing of comment leaving leaner threads to peruse.

I like it because I have very little social interaction in the real world. It connects me to people who want nothing but a friendly chat and a bit of advice. The great thing about the internet is that you are in control of when you use it. The wealth of information that subscribers hold is phenomenal. I have asked many questions, from caring to the elderly, hearing aids, to how to get somewhere. There is always a lovely GNetter to answer.

There is so much positivity on here. The generation that use it seem to do so much. Some are still working, some caring for others and some volunteering. It amazes me how many do all three.

I don’t look at anything other than forums, as I come on here for the social chat. I must be a bit blind, because I have not noticed the intolerance that others speak of.

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

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.

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 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?

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 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 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 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 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.

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 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.

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.

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 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!

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

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.