Thoughtful Posting

We have to remember. Everything HQ does is for the continuation and thrive-ness (can't think of a word) of the site. (kerching!)

I think that may be why they are often so unpredictable.

'success' I suppose would do!

Re PMs. HQ need to protect the site. We need to protect us.

Luckyducky to GNHQ "Time to scrutinise and block posts on finding insensitive, rude and hurtful ones. Also, to warn the initiator, then remove them if they refuse to apologise - to those concerned."

If GNHQ really were to police every word that appears on the forums, sifting it for anything that any one of the thousands of disparate members might not like and communicating with the posters of anything they find to request that they atone for it, then deleting those that were not smoothed down to the norm, there would have to be someone in the office sitting in front of a computer 24 hours a day doing nothing else.

As there seem only to be a maximum of two people at any time, and often only one, doing all the admin and other work that any business generates (and there is a lot more to the site than just the forum) the staff costs would go up by at least another 50% and we would have to pay an annual membership fee to cover that. Plus, the resulting forum would read a bit like "Janet And John".

How many posters would be happy with that?

I can see why they deleted my post. It didn't look too good for the site, did it? True though.

Don't forget GN is a business. Nice though it is for us to have forum for GN it's about making a profit . Even most charities are looking to turn a profit. So I would suppose that sometimes contentious threads are good for business.

Many have said that it would be dull here if certain things were enforced. Dull doesn't sell social media or the press. Those advertisers we see on our pages are no doubt paying for their position and expecting a return in terms of thousands of 'clicks' etc. Can't do that with a forum that has 3 people on it.

So maybe, just maybe, in some instances debate like this is good for business if not for the individuals concerned .

Just my thoughts.

Fair enough trisher but it's not unusual for that to be met with further sarcasm or unpleasant comments in my experience........

Nannaag I think that's why they have competitions. It means people have to sign up to enter, and then they can tell proposed advertisers what a huge number of posters they have. It is all down to business.

Mind you, I think the GNHQrs do care about us. But they have to put the site first.

Will get off thread now. Too much wound licking starting to appear.

With time and a little bit of distance to reflect, I want to apologise to anyone who was affronted by my OP. I can now see that it was naïve of me to start this topic. Also for those who felt my tone was patronising - that was truly never intended. I do not think of anyone as less than equal and as you get to know me better I hope you will be reassured of that.

thatbags, I agree, you did make some very valid points. I am very sorry indeed that this thread has led to some dredging up of what was very much past in my own mind. I feel I owe you the biggest apology as I think the whole 'PM' debacle has meant that you have been dragged through the mill, very undeservedly.

I am not someone to deliberately stir up contention and then watch from the sidelines. I hate conflict. Yesterday I felt bruised and in danger of biting back again - kittylester and janeainsworth I reacted badly to
your posts and I apologise. I was feeling overwhelmed by the negativity I had stirred up, but I do not usually aim to wound.

I had not intended to post again, but I do feel responsible for 'spawning' what has turned out to be a damaging conversation for some. Again, I can only apologise for my part in that.

Jings, thank you for the bun. Yes, there have been some entertaining elements to this post too and the devil on my left says ' grow a pair' , but actually I wouldn't be me if I did and I do hope we can now let this be.

imperfect welcome to GN. I feel you have been through some kind of initiation thingy and are now well and truly 'blooded'

I remember starting a (somewhat less polite) thread when I first joined and that is why I posted as I I'd under your OP. I've now toughened up to the stage when I can tell my DD to 'back off' in real life when the need arises, whereas before it was walk on eggshells.

I'm still soft and cuddly inside but my shell has hardened and, for me at least, that wasn't a bad thing!

Jings- wasn't implying you and I had a problem - I meant I just wanted to bring this thread to a close. Ah the perils of posting!!!

Do you really think anyone has been "damaged" by any of this? Bit strong I think.

Anya, 'blooded' is a good way of putting it

I think this has all ended well and feathers smoothed.

Glad ann. No offence to anyone, I just feel I am done now. all round, over and out.

(Sighs and passes hand across brow)

Sorry!

#leopardsandspots

imperfect
Something else to bear in mind is that when you start a thread, you have little idea of how people are going to respond, nor in what direction the thread will travel.
Often posters seem to be influenced by what has gone before and respond in a similar vein, until one person disagrees and then there'll be several more posts agreeing with the dissenter.
What I'm saying is that the OP starts the thread, but subsequent posts are not the OP's responsibility -we're only responsible for what we post ourselves.
So don't feel bad and have another

Is it too early or are we allowed? I mean

You are allowed as long as you consider the risk of breast cancer before you drink it!

It's the weekend

I just had a glass of Saki (from Lidls) and it was GHASTLY!! Having coffee ice cream instead now.