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Open letter to all Gners

(388 Posts)
GandTea Mon 06-Jun-16 17:46:45

I have been a member and regular contributor to GN since its inception, many of you will know me as Pompa.

I have always tried to be helpful to those that need it where my skills are appropriate. I have always been compassionate to those in trouble and always tried to inject a little humour into my posts.

I am not racist, feminist or any other form of ist (perhaps a bit of a pessimist now)

In all the years I have been here I have not knowingly been reported.

But I have now been reported ( I guess for racism because of my humorous thread in the Gardening forum regarding immigrant Spanish slugs.

GN is no longer the great site it used to be, it has become very unpleasant on many threads, dominated by a few posters.

Many GNers are now afraid to post for fear of verbal retribution.

Humour that is in the least edgy is condemned by a few.

Please, please will those Gners that want GN to become the fun site that it was again please speak up.

I am now leaving GN, I'm sure that there are those that are now cheering as they have won, but to the rest of my friends,
Love
Pompa

Gracesgran Tue 07-Jun-16 11:55:12

thatbags you are making it up as you go along! GNHQ did, according to GrandTea, ask him to change the title.

The reason that I knew it had been reported was that GNHQ contacted me by email, as it appears they do. They did not say who had reported me or the specific reason, just that they wanted me to change the title of the thread to something that could not be complained about.

Apparently many, including GrandTea, do not respect the Mods wishes but that is not the same as them not saying it.

thatbags Tue 07-Jun-16 11:34:51

They can't. I think HQ probably told G&T that someone wanted the thread title changed. They needn't have told him that or anything since no change was made (by them: the only ones who can). I guess someone was going to change it, or agreed with the complainant that it needed changing, and then was advised otherwise.

For which advice, or clarity of thought by WhoeverHQ, I'm heartily thankful.

Maggiemaybe Tue 07-Jun-16 11:30:13

I think nasty PMs are very cowardly. If you can't say it in front of everyone, stay schtum. The messages I've had have usually been putting me right on something I've misunderstood - in a very nice way, to stop me making even more of a fool of myself!

janeainsworth Tue 07-Jun-16 11:29:58

How can posters change the title of a thread when there isn't an edit facility???

Gracesgran Tue 07-Jun-16 11:17:49

I don't think anyone should be sending such PMs "TriciaF". I have a feeling that is exactly what the mods on any site would not want you to do.

On one forum I joined (little knowing sad) PMs had been turned off because they had problems with people letting other people know they were offended. It had undermined the forum and I didn't stay long.

Gracesgran Tue 07-Jun-16 11:11:16

You are so kind JbF but we all have to learn grin I'm afraid I can't remember, it was a long time ago so perhaps I took notice of what was suggested as, of course, we all should.

Gracesgran Tue 07-Jun-16 11:08:44

thatbags they were not just telling the OP of that thread that someone has complained. They were asking him to change the title from what he said. I am sure they would not send out unnecessary emails.

TriciaF Tue 07-Jun-16 11:04:49

Maybe if a thread or a post offends someone they should pm the poster first before reporting. To give them a chance to make changes if they agree, or want. It doesn't need to be a nasty pm.
I've only once reported a thread (I think) because I thought it was spam or commercial.
As Kitty says, so many different natures, and I'm not confrontational.

Stansgran Tue 07-Jun-16 10:56:59

Should be three asterisks for banned.

Stansgran Tue 07-Jun-16 10:56:07

Could we have some sort of signal on our names to indicate we are in that rather exclusive(?) club of people who have been reproved by Gnhq ?
* a reproof from hq
** a deleted thread
* barred or banned but returned
Wear your asterisks with pride.
Please don't go GandT. Perhaps whoever complained just simply doesn't post just reads.
Thank you someone for the expression about walking over hot coals so as to complain. I've added it to my useful phrases.
Annsixtyflowers

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 07-Jun-16 10:45:23

Which thread title was that gg? Do tell! smile

Can't imagin you putting a foot wrong.

thatbags Tue 07-Jun-16 10:34:41

gg, I don't think anyone has said HQ should "take no notice" of the complainant. That is certainly not what I said, nor what I meant in my earlier comments. I meant that they should consider very carefully (which I'm sure they do most of the time) whether the poster whose post is being complained about needs to know that someone complained. That's not taking no notice; it's considering whether a certain course of action (informing the poster of the complained about post) is necessary.

If they decide such an action isn't necessary, they can then explain their reasons to the complainant. Notice will have been taken and an assessment made.

It's what they do very well most of the time, just thst this time I (and others) think they got it wrong.

thatbags Tue 07-Jun-16 10:29:44

annsixty flowers. Keep feeling free to "get it out".

Gracesgran Tue 07-Jun-16 10:28:21

Well said Tegan. I can never understand why people come on to a forum (it's not only GN) to say "I'm going". What do they expect everyone to say; people are generally kind so they will say "oh please don't go". If you feel like a bit of time out just take it and come back when you are feeling better.

It is no good criticising GNHQ, they are doing their job. I was miffed when they commented on my thread title but I went away and thought about it, thought they probably knew more than I did about running a forum of this type, came back and got on with things.

I also think that, of those who are saying GNHQ should have taken no notice of the complainant, there may well be those who have complained about others - as they should do if they think something is wrong - in the past and expected GNHQ to assess their complaint even-handedly just as they appear to have done in this case.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 07-Jun-16 10:08:03

this thread Pomps. The first post. The one where I opened my gob and put foot straight in it. hmm

sunseeker Tue 07-Jun-16 10:07:16

My grandmother seemed to have an answer for just about everything - when asked if someones unpleasant remark about her had upset her she said that of course their opinion mattered - just not to her! I remember that whenever I read an unpleasant post

annodomini Tue 07-Jun-16 10:04:59

Enough said! kitty has put it in a nutshell. sunshine

Charleygirl Tue 07-Jun-16 09:58:37

ann I am so sorry that you are going through so much trauma at present. I just cannot imagine what your home life is at present as I am very well aware of the situation. That is not supposed to be a contradiction! Loads of flowers

GandTea Tue 07-Jun-16 09:50:25

JBF, I must search back for your "Bald "post so that I can take umbrage grin

annsixty Tue 07-Jun-16 09:49:14

Vulnerability comes in many forms. I am very vulnerable with my situation with my H and his illness which is getting more and more difficult. I am in constant pain with my knee. I am going to Manchester eye hospital this afternoon for an appt with yet a third team to assess my atypical AMD and I find it hard to read yet again to read of people living exciting and interesting lives surrounded by their oh so perfect families. What do I do? I suck it up,shrug and envy them their good fortune.
This is a big diversion, sorry, I just had to get it out.

Tegan Tue 07-Jun-16 09:47:59

No jingle; I wasn't referring to that as I don't regard myself as elderly and vulnerable.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 07-Jun-16 09:45:27

There will never be pax on GN. That's why the whole thing is just not worth it.

kittylester Tue 07-Jun-16 09:45:22

I suppose it takes all sorts, doesn't it. I am quite a cheerful soul (gran of little brain!) but others are much more intense and deep thinking.

We have impish, sad, tired, carefree or troubled members and most of us are probably a mixture but, IMHO, there should be room for all of us - a bit like real life.

And some members should be a lot less flipping judgmental.

thatbags Tue 07-Jun-16 09:45:07

I'm all for pax, with suitable adjustments at HQ to prevent such unnecessary upsettings from happening again smile

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 07-Jun-16 09:44:36

If you mean my "Right. Who's gonna be first to admit to being bald?" which I posted long ago on a hair loss thread, I can only say, for God's sake let it go! hmm You've aimed plenty back at me missis.

Getting off this thread now. sunshine