Why do you come to Gransnet?

Love the diversity of the forum ...the advice, the support, humour and the virtual friendships ....so glad I found it ! Thanks everyone

I stumbled into GN when I spotted a link to a thread on being a long-distance grandparent. My only DGD was living in the US at the time so it struck a chord. Most out of character for me to join a forum of any kind, however, I became quite addicted and found so many kind and empathetic listeners when circumstances in my life became quite tough. I do have real life friends, but they didn't necessarily understand what I was going through, whereas lots of GN's did.

I don't post much any more, which is ungrateful of me when I received so much help, but I find a lot of the threads of no interest, can't bear confrontation, and some posts are too long to read through them all (says she who is writing an epistle )

Nevertheless, I do try to check in to see how everyone is doing and I feel for those in trouble of any kind. I must also add that I have met several really lovely Gransnetters in person which has been enormously enjoyable, and I'm about to take a second cruise with a very dear and generous GN member.

So glad I joined, thank you GHQ

I first came here through a competition site. I have won a book and a DVD. I stayed because there aren't many sites for people of our age. Mature Times is a bit stair lifty (if you know what I mean) and there is so much ageism around nowadays that seems acceptable in a way that it never did in the past. It is acceptable to an unbelievable degree on sites like the Guardian.

I've noticed that there is now a Jaycee55 so I may change my name to avoid confusion. I am sure she is very nice but I'll have to think of something else.

I cannot understand the turn this thread on what seems like a very innocuous topic has taken. No one wants too much moderation (I once had a message removed for misquoting someone that I hadn't quoted at all which was a bit odd) but the nastiness seemed to come from nothing.

I quite like the political posts when people give reasoned arguments but, like the rest of social media, there is more shut downs than debates and it does seem to be getting more unpleasant.

On the points people have made about not getting a response, that may be because the thread had got a bit long and it can feel a bit pointless if you are responding to people several pages later. There are groups who seem to chat among themselves but it is best just to ignore that. At least there isn't the irritating tagging that you get on facebook.

I enjoy reading the forums each morning. I live in a quiet village dont have any friends, but I feel as if I know you all as friends and we catch up with each other each day.
There have been times I have asked for advice or your opinion on something -and I have always had a friendly helpful response.
When my daughter died 17 months ago I had so many kind and supportive messages.
Also enjoy reading about other Grans lifestyles, interests etc.
I am well aware 2 or 3 people can be unpleasant , but I just ignore their posts, as I'm sure they only do it to get a reaction.

I have a friend who is denied access to her grandchild after her son, the father, died. I suggested she look at this site and maybe share her situation for some moral support but I don't think she has. Unless she's lurking.

General chat,Soops kitchen,advice. I tend to ignore the political threads, (too much ranting and unpleasantness,). Don't look at the games threads either.

Enjoy reading the different posts everyday and responding if I feel I can help or have something to say. I don't do the quizzes competitions etc.

GN HQ why are you trying to "grow" Gransnet? Obviously there must be commercial implications. I'm wary of being "used" for this. Anything to put my mind at ease?

I came across GN when I was very ill and had been off work for a year. I was missing the company and banter of my colleagues and feeling a bit lonely
I lurked for a while, as I felt a bit like an interloper,as everyone seemed to know each other. However, I decided to join in on the games threads despite frequently getting mixed up with which game I am on. People have been friendly and kind. In fact I have made friends with a couple of grans. They kindly PMed me when they noticed I had not been on for a week, due to illness.
I avoid the political threads, as I find the the nastiness of a few posters upsetting, but I love the banter on some of the other threads. Soop's kitchen is such a gentle relief from the harsher posts. I will suddenly start chuckling at some of the posts on the Argy, Bargy Cafe and my DH wonders what I am laughing at.
As an evangelising pedant, I eagerly look daily for new posts. Thanks GN

Lively debate on topical issues
Sound advice
General chit chat with virtual friends

I don't bother with competitions or word games

Lara, I enjoy the anonymity so I deliberately would not recommend GN to close friends.

I think that I have helped some people recently when putting on my ex professional hat.

I come on mainly when I see something of interest in my daily email. I also enter competitions, again if I see them and I'd like to win what you are offering.

So many interesting posts, some quite topical, and I've found I've learned a lot - "Not a lot of people know that" kind of thing. Some sad but there are lots of laughs from lovely Gransnet viewers too. Never dull and so glad I found this site which was through Silver Traveller, another inspiring read.

I like to read some of the more interesting posts, especially the political ones (sorry Tizliz!) I read many of the recipes and decide to make them (but generally don't!) and enjoy the competitions - but I especially like receiving books and reviewing them (however, I wish there was more time available for reviews because I often receive books when I'm in the middle of another so don't start the new one for some time!)

General chatter, advice, book club, competitions.
I love it!

I like the general forums especially those with humour. Hate the ones where people are rude or dismissive of people or problems. Love the book club with the chance of winning a book and finally the competitions.

Firstly because I subscribe to The Oldie. Then I stayed because it seems to me that thus site is predominately female and the content could benefit from the occasional male input. Lastly because there are some matters on which I have sufficient knowledge to make useful (I hope) comments.

I was accused of being 'a man' early on but didn't let that put me off..... and have checked every day since and still think I am a gran. I suffer from depression and it is so helpful to see how other people cope with life's problems and how 'normal' family upsets are.

I try to be supportive and am shocked sometimes by un necessary vitriol, on what is by and large a very kindly place to meet up.

I miss being out in the world more and especially miss my friends who have died and are of course irreplacable. I am lonely often but only lonely for the people I have lost not found any voluntary work or coffee morning to fill the void as yet.

It is a bit like the bus journey to work, same people getting off at different stops every day, nice to know you are all out there.

General chat, advice and competitions

To share with women of my own age; to be amazed often at opinions and views of different matters in life that really do make me think, and often cause me to change my way of thinking. I look forward to sitting at the computer with a cup of tea and logging on to join in, and of course to often laugh! All wonderful medicine.

The threads can be so funny. I read some every day

To relieve the boredom of everyday life.

Or just to have a sit down.

Don't worry Lara we are already in the Argy stocking up in preparation for tonight's debacle festivities.