What have you learned from being on GN ?

I've learnt that the vast majority of people are kind goodhearted people, always ready to share joys and sorrows, while perhaps having bigger sorrows of their own. And that we are all human and thus occasionally lash out with a bitter remark for which will be forgiven/understood as long as that is not our only contribution to chat/debate.

That's a good point Granny23 , I hadn't thought of , it's very true an odd mean remark is so much more easily forgiven if it's out of character and not just in character.

I have learnt that the written word does not always portray the meaning the writer intended and without seeing the facial expressions and body language we can misconstrue the intention.

I have learnt that by posting regularly we create a virtual personality which may or may not be true to real life. Who would know unless posters meet up personally?
I find I have allotted virtual personalities to some regular posters and I know that I read their posts in a biased way according to my mental image of whether or not I would like them in RL. Teetime makes a good point.
But I love GN. I feel I can come on here in times of stress and I will get support from lovely posters or read stories that put my concerns into perspective.
All human life is here.

N&G, I too have written posts that I ended up deleting. It was therapeutic to compose them, but wouldn't have done me any good to make them public. I don't post as much as I once did because, having been a member almost since the beginning, I sometimes feel I am repeating myself.

All of the above. But also I have learned a huge amount - about science, politics, eco issues etc. All fascinating.

I definitely find a typing a somewhat shirty reply and then deleting helpful. It also helps H as he dosen't have to listen to rants about "stupid bloody posters"
As luckygirl says I have also been educated on several subjects.

All thats been said above, I've learnt to reread my posts before pressing 'post' and many I've just deleted having got it out of my system.

I had to laugh at your postNina , Grampy has to listen to me and sometimes he says things like 'it's not real life you know' ??

I think he might have a point !

I think we all have cathartic moments. I had one recently in response to a post that made me so angry I was almost in tears. Although it was not aimed at me personally, I took it personally, because it was not the first time the poster had taken this particular line and I felt goaded and, yes, a little demeaned. So I rattled off my response and then thought "don't be so b****y silly. It will roll off them like water off a ducks back, give fuel to their fire and you won't feel any better". So it was the delete button and a stiff drink. As in the real world, there are going to be people you don't like, but on GN it is easier to avoid them!

Today 09:51 Granny23

I've learnt that the vast majority of people are kind goodhearted people, always ready to share joys and sorrows, while perhaps having bigger sorrows of their own. And that we are all human and thus occasionally lash out with a bitter remark for which will be forgiven/understood as long as that is not our only contribution to chat/debate.

This - a hundredfold.

I have found lots of people with similar ideas and feelings. I don't delete just put it out there but don't take it personally when I get slapped down.
I am also sad at the number of people who have problems with family or health, makes me count my blessings.

I've found there's lots of like minded people out there and most people are very supportive to those who post with a problem.

I agree with Grandmamoira. I have found GN incredibly supportive and funny and wise.

Sadly, other things I have found are that some people are not happy unless they have made some other person/people equally unhappy and it's harder to avoid them on GN. I try to make allowances for their obvious personal unhappiness but I find it difficult. This has proved that I'm not as tolerant as I thought I was.

I also type like crazy and then delete!

I've learnt the patience that my mother always said was sadly lacking in me. That's because I too have deleted lots of sarcastic and sharp posts, but I realised they were a waste of time and energy.
I've also learnt that it's possible to become very fond of people that I haven't even met yet. I probably will never meet them, but I'm very pleased to consider some of them as my friends.

All in all I have had a bit of a sh*tty year. Losing my dear grandma and my mum within a few months of each other. Then the horrible failed school appeals. But through all of this I have had some amazing support from Gransnet. I don't really have many "real life" friends but its comforting to know that at any time of the day and night there is always a "virtual" friend on Gransnet around to talk to. A million Thank You's x

I agree that there can be some nasty threads (or some innocent ones that turn nasty)and I do try to avoid those. What I struggle with and what saddens me the most though, is when people pretend to be nice.

I echo your second paragraph, Lona. Isn't it strange. I've not met most of the people on here but there are lots that I 'look' for and feel are friends?

I meet up monthly for coffee with 3-4 other GNs. We have been doing this for over two years now and we all get on very well. I doubt in real life if our paths would have crossed as each has very different interests.

I agree with kitty that there are some on line who I look out for- mainly because I appreciate the pearls of wisdom they impart and also are never nasty. It is not necessary. Not everybody understands my sense of humour but they know that their animals would be well cared for- they know who they are!

I love reading everything on GN although I don't often join in. Having moved so many times I can count my true friends on one hand. Hopefully one day I'll make some on here.

I don't think I have any friends on here but I love the kindness and help that I read on here , but I am amazed at how hot under the collar I get when I read some posts , I simmer , type , and delete !

Not to give personnel details of my life, thereby leaving myself open to bitchy remarks.

I am so glad that I joined even if I remained silent for a couple of years despite reading a wide range of posts and getting familiar with names and (imagined) personalities.

So often, I do not post as someone else has said it all before me and do not wish to repeat. I love the kindness and humanity of the majority of posters and also the humour and wisdom, as well as the range of knowledge. Who needs wikipedia?!.

Am still learning as I slowly try to read as many threads as possible, but find the very lengthy threads too onerous . I also stay away from any vicious posts. Debate is good but personal attacks are not my cup of tea.

Would love to meet a cross section of posters but have not been able to find anyone in or near my London borough. All in due course, perhaps.

Learned all sorts of useful information.Never put too personal details on ( as Petra says) and try to remember this is a public forum not a coffee shop.Have met 6 or 7 forum members in RL, all lovely.

I lurked for a long time and was very inhibited by some of the spats and nasty exchanges I saw. I've been posting lately partly because I decided to be brave and learn to be thick skinned, partly because there were some interesting threads and partly because some of the most unpleasant posters seemed to have moved on!
I've been saddened by the difficulties some people experience and impressed by how kind and supportive other posters can be. I am grateful for what I have in life but more so after reading some threads.
I've also been comforted by finding others in the same boat, whatever that happens to be at any particular moment, and I enjoy hearing other points of view, especially when cogently argued.
I've been surprised to discover how far and wide the site attracts posters!