Why do you come to Gransnet?

I have learned a lot on this forum, the collective wisdom here is great, thank you all.
I like to read the politics threads but rarely contribute, my knowledge and understanding is not good enough for that.
I was once 'jumped on from a great height' by one of the regular posters, I responded with a (in my humble opinion) a well thought out response to try and clear the air, but to no avail, hey ho perhaps she just didn't re-visit the thread.
I thoroughly enjoy all of the word games.

All the support from people who I have never even met...thanks all.

Other than that I often sit quietly in the corner and browse through the threads.

Do miss the some of the older original posters and the silly virtual parties we used to have..

I think it is easy to feel overlooked on fast moving - usually political? - threads.

And i know lots of us have closed down threads but is quite disconcerting the first few times it happens.

I m not a woose at all and I certainly don't expect replies all the time or anything like that I m not that egotistical I was just explaining how it felt at first and how reading others posts a lot of people leave or stay in the background for that same reason .....as in all walks of life there are some bigger characters some quieter some noisier some more sensitive That's what makes it a good site, once I had got my head round the fact it 'wasn't ' me' being out of tune I was ok

I enjoy the site enormously and post away with my thoughts whether anyone's listening or not on a daily basis

I still think it's abysmal it doesn't have an edit button

I agree that sometimes a smile isn't quite appropriate . I just wouldn't want it to turn into a like/dislike competition which could be quite nasty.

I think if you disagree with something you're likely to say why. I have used a but if the subject is serious that doesn't fit.

Sometimes I just blather (I suppose that's my way of jotting down my thoughts) and really don't expect a reply.

Mind you I talk to myself all the time at home and at work. You wanna hear me doing accounts. " now where did I put that £70? Oh there you are you silly billy. What were you doing in petrol when you should have been in materials...."

Anyone listening in would think I was MAD!

Not sure about a tick (don't know how to do them anyway) would that not mean we would need a X too? It would be like being at school.

I'm the same as bags sometimes all I want to do is jot down my thoughts. Don't want or expect a reply.

Yep, like that. A tick please Admin, just like Baggs just did! (I'd repeat it if I knew how!).

And a GN bag dangler or badge so GNers can greet (or avoid) each other 'Out'.

Yes, that's what I'd use a like button for too, nfk. Maybe the software to add one is beyond the remit and curent funding for Tech. Or perhaps HQ are worried that people would use it to 'collect' likes and so generate cliques.

I guess we could just use a ✔️ instead.

I never ignore your posts Baggs! I suppose that's where a "Like" emoticon of some sort would be handy. Just a yes, I agree, get your point but don't have anything to add emoticon.

Why do I come to Gransnet?
To talk and blether and discuss with a diverse group of people. Totally unbothered if people appear to talk past me or if my posts are ignored (both are going to seem to happen sometimes to each of us, cue: shrug; happens in real life too); jotting them down is still an outlet.

Reading back a bit. I have to agree with Bluebelle and the others that it can be daunting when posters "talk past" you, but that can happen in conversation in a group, it just stands out more in writing. I find it happens most on the political threads where things are more heated and those with really strong opinions and more time tend to monopolise and get more shouty.

Hi Jane. My new TKR is doing great - but the other one is being a real pain - how's your's?

I joined in the first instance on the recommendation of a friend when I needed help and advise when caring for mum. I received it in buckets and my new friends helped me so much when I'd felt I was fighting the system alone.

Now GN has become part of my life, from checking in with Mick first thing in the morning to wondering at the different viewpoints on the political threads (and sticking a oar in), lurking in the Argy Bargy cafe and dropping in on Soop occasionally and trying to return the support I received.

And I do try the competitions with some success. I dabble a lot!

Gosh I've never been aware of any 'cliques' apart from various sides in the political threads nor do I take non responses to comments or posts of mine personally. (That said I do resent the occasional uncalled for remark by the previously noted person) Sorry you've felt like that Bluebelle. I
I like the banter, TV chat, life problems etc. I've had good advice and great suggestions from other Grans.
Stuck at home after my TKR I never felt isolated and sometimes felt I'd been chatting to people all day. There are posters I've never met who feel like friends to me. The GN meet ups have all been extremely enjoyable.

I love GN now... I started a few years ago I got welcomed by a number of people felt very happy that I had found a circle to belong to I started putting my toe in the water, posting occasional things and seemed to get completely ignored as older members talked 'past' me I felt so invisible and unaccepted I felt a real outsider I persisted but eventually felt it would be impossible to penetrate into this established group I went into a GN shell and stopped posting or even looking at all for maybe a year or more than I tried again I just slunk back quietly and watched for a bit then someone said how they felt when they posted ( often ignored and as if they killed every thread and an outsider) that was me and I realised I wasn't alone and unacceptable it wasn't 'me' and I decided to have another go I gathered my strength and I joined in so Azie I understand your post completely

I still don't know or retain a lot of peoples history and I don't always look at the name of the poster I m answering just the problem so I don't understand all the goings and froings like on this thread but aside from that I love all the hints, tips, advice, and humour and the tv programme thread I m very passionately opinionated about politics but not always so learned about facts so I keep well away from that thread, as I would be slaughtered

I don't do any games or competitions or extras just the forums

I have made one friend ( through our fear of dentists) and we write regularly and hope to meet up one day she doesn't post much either for the reasons I ve already talked of but we are really on the same wavelength and that's so nice I don't cringe at the argy bargy that's life and I can take it or leave it, the cliqueness got me but I feel I can ride that now I m not sure if I m accepted or not but I will keep on posting now (from the fringes)

I joined for the forum long ago too. I value Gransnet for the conversations and the insights into other people's lives and views.
I don't think I would call the comments about the political threads or even about one individual "ganging up" or "having a go". We were asked what drew us to Gransnet, and while they considered their answer, it was natural that posters also thought of what they did NOT like, as well. The replies were made spontaneously by several people separately, not in concert. I noticed unfamiliar names, perhaps posters who would normally be loath to express an adverse opinion dared to do so on this particular thread.

I joined Gransnet as soon as it began; our family had just had a traumatic bereavement leaving my daughter widowed and me stepping up to help her with my little grandson. I loved the camaraderie and the general supportiveness of the various threads, the various highs and lows that people shared, the advice asked for and given and the development of a virtual community. There were some heated differences of opinion and one or two 'flouncers', but pretty much as you get in all communal situations. Gransnet was at times a bit of a lifeline for me. I entered (and won) a few competitions, I joined the book club (which is brilliant), I took part in various webchats with interesting guests and I have many purchases that were recommended on GN.
Recently I've once again been through the mill, both with my health and with all sorts of extremely difficult family situations unfolding. This has resulted in me having hardly any time to catch up with Gransnet and I've really missed it. By September I hope to be in a position where things are better and I can get a bit of my life back - in the meantime I try to have a look on GN every now and again. To say I'm feeling fragile at the moment would be a huge understatement so I steer clear of the somewhat combative topics/threads.
So, my top three reasons:
1)Opportunities for giving/receiving support and advice.
2)Being part of a virtual community.
3)Being challenged by differing viewpoints.

There's been a lot of ganging up on this thread, and it wasn't Rigby who decided to use Lara's request for information as an opportunity to have a bit of a dig.

gillybob and Chewbacca - just raising a virtual glass ..or two - might aid sleep!!

Catching up in the midnight hour after a busy day and too much real coffee late at night! Sad to see the childish bickering on yet another post, but glad it hasn't won the day.

To answer the OP:

Friendly chat
Advice / support
A good laugh here and there
Being made to think

Thanks GN!

No pressure then Gillybob !
We could consider ways to improve GN? Or discuss the merits/pitfalls of Brexit and then have our very own bun fight?

It is chewy . Now perhaps what we should be doing is putting our nocturnal resources to good use.

I'm relying on you, as foreman to come up with something useful .

I'm the foreman of the nocturnal sleepless party. Miserable isn't it?