Do you ever feel intimidated?

nanadb
Bags

I don't know quite where all that went wrong but I am sorry anyone's feelings got hurt. I think it's so hard to communicate in this way. I hope no-one is thinking of leaving.

Grannylin, are you suggesting that it's amusing that some members feel the way they do, and that they should 'grow some balls', for want of a better expression?

It's so difficult to have a conversation without hearing voices, seeing gestures and making eye contact. The written word can be stark and appear curt, but I know from sitting at a table over a pub lunch with bags earlier his year that she has a very gentle, smiley disposition.

To me, Bags has always come across online as a warm and positive person, whatever argument/debate she's been a part of.

Forgot to add !

Perhaps we need a 'bang heads together' emoticon.
Only joking!
nanadogs absent and bags - love and peace.

I agree about Bags.

I probably shouldn't say this but I'm going to anyway - a few weeks ago nanadogsbody came in for a real bashing on here, nothing at all to do with Bags, but at the time I was shocked and I'm not surprised that she is still questioning whether to stay. We sometimes share very personal information and attacks or even simple misunderstandings can cast a long shadow. That's all.

Yes, I noticed that, too nightowl. Certain threads, by their very titles, show us that insensitivity should not be shown on there.

Agreed.

Quite.

I admit I over-reacted to bags post and she didn't understand why. We have now drawn a line under that misunderstanding.
I think that this thread has found that some GNetters feel intimidated in a variety of ways and each has different ways of dealing with it. But it has also proved that there is support from some brave and lovely people and that is what really matters at the end of the day

PS I like the idea of a 'back off' emoticon. Any suggestions what it could look like?

Greatnan I'm getting quite worried about you now

What worries me about this thread is that probably some posters are speculating about whom nanad feels intimidated by; and some are still wondering if somehow or other they might have been responsible. This cannot be healthy.

Sorry for opening that one up, I knew it was probably a mistake. I think I stepped into the minefield there - in trying to help with one problem I have now created another.

Let's just say that in the hundreds and thousands of posts that go on there are bound to be some where we upset each other, that are misinterpreted or whatever, and need to be left behind.

Greatnan have you managed to get that gaffer tape off yet?

bags only just read your post!
I find knitting very confrontational! I hate it and can't do it.
The same with cooking and I've got this Dutch lady coming tomorrow who I have to cook for til Wednesday!
I'm not happy!!!
Domestic goddess I'm not!
And the last straw is that waitrose said the joint I ordered was out of stock and didn't send a substitute so I've got to go on a beef hunt tomorrow and at the same time stay in for a signed for delivery!
PLEASE PEOPLE GET THIS

I AM NOT A HAPPY BUNNY

I hate cooking, too. I feel your pain....

Going on a beef hunt, jeni? I have a vision of you armed with Bags's bow and arrows...
Unlike Waitrose to be so disobliging. I shall mention it to my contacts!

Please do! I also ended up with a bag of sweet potatoes which I didn't order and hate!
Perhaps angel next door might like them!

This thread has proved that nanad isn't the only one who sometimes feels intimidated it is a bit unfair to name her as the person who is not particularly happy with the attitude of some posters.

Generally, everyone is really kind and thoughtful, allowing others to have their own view and I have felt really supported when I have been in need of it, but I definitely feel that there are some posters who think theirs is the only view permissible and that they try to put down people who don't agree with them.

Agree with last para in particular

We have been here before. I see no point in trying to refute vague allegations without direct reference to the actual posts or posters who have caused offence.

In answer to the question in this thread -I rarely feel intimidated and love a good debate. I'm a leftie atheist, so I just can't help myself from challenging religiosity and the right wing - I think it is in my genetic make up. I was brought up in a political and argumentative family, so a good debate is totally non-threatening to me, and the more diverse the opinions expressed, the better. I certainly never mean to intimidate anyone when I challenge something that has been written. I make the (possibly false) assumption that everyone will enjoy the debate.

Anyway, if I've upset anyone I apologise: I certainly never mean to.

joan, I think you might find the book I flagged up in the Politics forum interesting. There's a link to a short video by the author.

Was that last post supposed to be helpful? If you read carefully what you have written you will see it is a put down. No one has asked anyone to refute anything as far as I can see. Let that one rest.