What have you learned from being on GN ?

I have learnt there are some very caring people around . I have found most people to be supportive have not met anyone from forum but have had some lovely messages . I have also seen how many of you help others even though you are going through bad times yourself .

I have a busy, stressful job so GN is my relaxation. It has plenty of information, wisdom and empathy. I pick up on topics I can dicuss with my real friends .... having fast tracked my thoughts from reading the posts on here! I've learned that it's perfectly natural as a grandparent to worry about your grandchildren as much as you did your own child and I think everyone just wants to do their best.
As for the nastier comments I have learned to leave the coversation to avoid conflict.

I have learned to type and then hit delete many a time. Also what complicated lives some lead. And enviously both the spending power of others and the huge place grandchildren play in other people's lives.

Oh no, I've got that in my head now!

oh I dare all right......but I have to go shopping now ( with another little list.)

Roses don't you dare!

Very few are hell bent on causing mayhem, and the few who do - well you'll get that on any forum.

roses makes a good point that being non-confrontation is not synonymous with being a lovely person, though of course they may well be (and many are). Were those who 'walked by on the other side' so lovely for example?

I've learned that there are people on GN who I like and admire yet have completely different views on politics, religion, diet, global warming, to name just a few. Oddly enough there are some whose views on these issues might march quite closely with mine, whom I find less agreeable.

I've learned there are those you can have a disagreement with (and that doesn't mean confrontation!) on one thread and yet on another be in compete accord.

I've learned some people are not to be trusted and others are there with a kind word when life throws something bad in the way; sometimes the ones you least expected.

I do know I'd miss GN, warts and all (though with apologies to kitty not the thread on TVs!) and I feel for those to whom it was important who now don't have access to this community.

A little list! ( and there's non that will be missed) I feel a song coming on.

It certainly is, rosesarered! One that I used to frequent springs to mind. You'd think you were having a bit of a laugh about something totally innocuous, and someone would suddenly turn on you with a grudge held over from a post you'd made six months earlier. I swear some people used to keep a list of people they wanted to exact vengeance on, ie anyone who'd ever disagreed with them Gransnet is very cosy in comparison to most.

mumsy and Azie09 you must remember that this is an open forum for opinions and discussion. If you don't like confrontation then avoid some threads, but not wanting to join in a heated debate with your own views, does not make you a 'lovely' person, just a person who doesn't like confrontation.In any case, most threads are not like that and you can pick and choose.The only time anything makes me angry is when anyone posts an unkind and thoughtless comment on a thread where the OP really needs support or kind advice.Gransnet is a vicars tea party compared to other forums.

to avoid the trouble makers who are hell bent in causing mayhem to threads!
Over all Ive found that there are lovely genuine people on here.

I always pop in to GN everyday and was distraught last year when I fell and broke my shoulder and arm making me unable to join in discussions and post I spent many a month just reading all the posts I felt totally lost not being able to keep in touch with my virtual friends,I am now able to us the forum again without too much discomfort and am back to posting ladies.

Think I found the forum.that sparked this I so agree with what's being said here I have been impressed by the wisdom I've seen so as I successor on the other post gn rocks.

However bad a day I am having there is always something here to make me smile.

Me too, Harrigran. I get the breaking news from here plus any comments and relevant information straight from the horse's mouth in many cases. Such a valuable resource.

That I'm a coward. Some people on here (in the minority, most posters seem lovely) can be a bit unpleasant and I find myself avoiding them. I can't do confrontation very well.

Since joining GN I have found I don't really need to buy a newspaper, I can learn all I need to know from the various threads and posters often seem better informed than some of the journalists

That there are only so many hours in a day, and the more of them I waste spend on Gransnet the more behind I get with everything else.

Those weekend newspaper supplements never get a look in these days!

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!

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 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.

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

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 !

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 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!