Is it me, or is GN not so much fun as it used to be?

Posters who tend to talk down to people - especially when they consider a particular thread to be their domain - could do with a 'pat on the head' emoticon.

Then I could reply with a two fingered one.

If only

Speaking as someone who is interested in debating topical issues,- even if they do become contentious, I really don't like the implication that I - and others like me - have no sense of humour.

I think I have a good sense of humour but if I want a laugh and there isn't one available on Gransnet I'm sure there's something on the TV or Youtube that will fit the bill.

Just start some new threads if you don't like the ones that are on offer.

I hate having to use a grin or a wink to show something's not meant to be taken seriously. Pathetic-ness on the part of other posters if they need it.

"Perhaps we've become like those old couple you see in cafes with a cup of tea and a toasted tea cup who sit there and can't think of anything new to say to each other"

!!! Oh God! Are we actually supposed to talk to our old fellers?! After all this time?!

I can't really comment on whether GN is not so much fun as it used to be because I am a relatively new member. When I joined I soon realised there were those who liked to reminisce, those who asked for support, those who started in depth discussions and those, like myself, who just dipped in and out of threads which interested them. Just like in real life I guess. At least it gets people talking.
With such diverse membership there's bound to be a difference of opinion and some posters might blow their own trumpets more than others. Likewise the doom and gloomers may need this medium to mull things over when no one in the real world wants to listen to them.
And annsixty 's last post got me thinking, does it take comments from the male species to inject some fun into threads too? (Don't answer that one, you bright sparks!) Who knows?

The best bit of advice I was given by an "older" established (?)GN member was to use the "grin" or "wink" faces etc. faces when I didn't want to be taken too seriously. Thank you for that, hopefully I now sound quite fun-loving.

Yes, a lot of moralising going on these days.

It has to work both ways, though, Gracesgran, the solemn posters should keep their politics and moralising out of the fun threads.

Did others used to be told by the teacher to "put your thinking cap on?
I will away and put mine on and think of something really funny with which to start a thread.
I may be sometime.

Surely, if you are not enjoying the threads available the answer is to start one about something funny that you do enjoy. If no one joins in then it is only you who wants it - if a majority of other posters take it seriously then it is either not funny to others people or you haven't posted in a way other find funny. People will invest time on a forum only on what they are interested in - it is very democratic I don't think attempting to destroy a "serious" thread is funny - it's basically trolling but start your own on a funny topic and all join in - that is if you all agree on the funnyness of it Otherwise you probably have to go with the ebb and flow you find on forums.

A lot of people seem to have left GN, perhaps they all felt the same. Oh for the days of Pete's bar. He was always good for a laugh and and a naughty bit of innuendo. He is much missed. And even Frank with his London pension was good for taking a rise out of.
For myself, and I really will need to put on a tin hat, I find I get a bit fed up with "I've got more than you, better C, better GC, etc and I have long thought there are some GNers I would love to become my neighbours as I just know we are so on the same wavelength we would become friends ,and then there are those....
I will go and have my breakfast now.

Phoenix I agree - in fact I started a thread suggesting we re-name the site Grumpnet

Suppose it's up to us to raise the bar though?????

Perhaps we've become like those old couple you see in cafes with a cup of tea and a toasted tea cup who sit there and can't think of anything new to say to each other

Sorry, I got distracted!

Serious threads? Don't read 'em then! I like a mix myself.

Can always rely on Pompa for a laugh!

No jokes from me as it is the wee small hours and I can't sleep.....again ?? Woops! I have introduced a serious note on here! Smacks hand and moves on.

Anyone else wondering if Phoenix has "lit the blue touch paper and run"

In a good way that is.

phoenix you don't post much these days ( because you are working?) so we don't hear about the cats or Devon life.
I think it's less fun on here too, all gloom and doom some days, no wonder that the odd lighthearted thread is welcome.

Jalima Your quote about computers and looking at cat pictures did make me laugh. All too true.

It's improving already! What have often been the funniest threads are those where the conversation goes off at a tangent and falls into silly but funny banter. If you have ever listened to Gardeners question time you will know what I mean.
However you risk someone complaining you are not taking the subject seriously.

Let's all have a barny :-) x

We were in a retail park with the Grandbairns when we witnessed a heated exchange between two tough young men, over a disputed parking space. Perhaps because both men were accompanied by their young children, the language was colourful but not actual swearing. As we quickly ushered the DGC into our car we heard the awful parting shot "Funk off you flipping ......Doughnut!.

DGS was delighted to add a new sweary word to his repertoire, but the novelty soon wore off when a blood curdling cry of DOUGHNUT elicited laughter rather than a telling off.

merlot

I know some people that wok would really describe well. Shallow, oily and very quick to do.

I wouldn't advise calling anyone a wok!

Thatbags, I am never thought I'd see the "T" word on here.

Minibags told me today that she can make any word into a swear word—e.g. (it's two words but...)—frying pan. Try it. Call someone a frying pan in a nasty way.

I suggested teapot and she agreed that could be too.

granny23

Not much she hasn't!