Jingle

I'm with Baggs on this. I too read the forum and have do for a long while now.
I've not seen bullying or elitism. There are people who clearly share views and whose responses can be predictable especially on the political threads.
Correct me if I'm wrong but Imperfect, did you not start almost as soon as you joined, pleading for this forum to be a 'nicer' place? I remember a fairly robust response!

Right, I've effin' had enough now! I have NEVER deliberately set out to hurt anyone. Yes, I've fought my own corner at times. Of course I have. I am not one to roll over. But I am NOT a bully.

I totally cancel my apology made last night when I was tired.

And TriciaF I don't remember ever before being referred to in the same breath as Hitler!!!!

It was IMO a silly thread to start - I would have thought trouble was likely to develop

Well one example of perceived elitism might be established posters telling newbies how to behave. You don't but there are others that do. BTW I thought your response to ImP was harsh - she's far from the only one to express these views and your call for 'evidence' is rather silly. I expect that there are also others on GN who feel negatively about Jingle but don't want to get caught up in the discussion on here - especially as they'll then be told off for so doing - and especially if they are relatively new. She's clearly on this thread and can defend herself but I for one think that this hero worship of her is a bit odd - as is hero worship of anyone on a forum - I find it rather adolescent people going on about the good old days and how GN isn't the same without her (I paraprase but you get my drift). I thought ImP was rather brave

Understood Baggs.

Clearly some people feel differently. I am not trying to 'win a point at all costs', - everything I have said about PMs I received was true - would be odd to make that up! And I saw what /I saw. But enough - I was just seeking to clarify the point I was trying to make.

I'd say the same whoever was being targetted in the same way with unevidenced accusations.

I never saw any of the repeated cruelty from Jings that you speak of, imp. I did see teasing posts of hers meant in humour and cheekiness. I got some (quite a lot) of those myself.

Given that you can't provide evidence to back up your claims (well, technically you might be able to if you felt so inclined but I think it would be against GN guidelines), I think you should stop making the claims. Fair's fair and you can't go around accusing people of stuff that they and others can't respond about because they don't know exactly what you are referring to.

Riverwalk and others, my understanding of 'bullying' is 'deliberate, targeted and repeated behaviour, aimed to hurt.'

I have not used the word lightly and I simply 'post as I find.' I am not one for using PMs to 'talk behind someone's back' either and have been transparent here about my thoughts.

I did not elicit any PMs about Jings and was actually quite taken aback to receive several in my early days on GN which all said the same things: 'Try not to mind Jings - and don't give up posting because of her' or 'I don't post anymore because of her.' Even so, I chose to form my own opinion over time.

When I first joined GN I posted daily from Jan- May 2016 and. not least because she was a prolific poster, I had plenty of occasions to see Jings in action.
Over time I saw for myself how Jings had her 'sport' with others and though the 'victims' changed, it was indeed repeated, deliberate, targeted and unkind,

If I seem a bit too 'invested ' in commenting on Jings presence now it is simply because I do not like unkindness and I think it incredibly sad that so many people were upset and stopped posting because of one person.

I do not doubt that Jings has many good qualities. I liked her sharp wit when it wasn't used to hurt and I saw the humour too. I also get Annie's point that we all bring different levels of sensitivity to GN and that what is robust banter for some can present a difficulty for others. My single issue with Jings would be that when repeatedly told she was being hurtful, she continued and her 'apologies' therefore were meaningless. I don't know why GN banned her and it really is of no great matter to me as to whether or not she posts here again, but I hope any repeat of deliberate unkindness will not be defended, but will soon be called out and stopped if it happens again.

Lastly - yes, I have tried to 'craft' careful responses which have ended up rather long because I have taken pains to be clear. I can only apologise for them being so wordy... I don't take any pleasure in saying such strongly negative things.

I agree about the overuse of the term bullying, here and outwith Gransnet. Also elitism or "the elite" with regard to Gransnet. There is no Gransnet elite. Never has been, never will be. We are posters and we have equal 'rights' to post. Any perceived elitism is just that—perceived.

What puzzles me is how anyone manages to perceive it. Is it to do with how frequently someone expresses their views, with how well/strongly they express their views? Or something else?

nightowl I agree with you about the over-use of the word bully - it has become cheapened, almost meaningless.
I don't wish Jings any harm, she's ok by me.
But I've always hated elitism, maybe something to do with my experience of WW2, I've seen what it can lead to. (Not that I think Jings is in that category). And I think there's a tendency in forums, and in life, for people to rush to support some kind of leader. Which I can't do.
Unless they show to everyone they deserve to be - rarely happens.

I have just sent the contents of the swear box ( a bent sixpence, two buttons and a broken tooth) to the Rev Chris,
I was taken in completely and thought him honest!?

I would say ‘refined’ peeps Alima as defined by knowing a good gin, wearing the right clothes ( mainly faux fur) and being able to tell the difference between a ferret and a rat.
We have both, in the cellar, unfortunately, and the ferrets are running wild.We also claim to be the only bar/cafe that has George Clooney permanently handcuffed to the Nespresso machine.?

I think you've misunderstood. You didn't have to invest the while 14 million, just whatever you could afford - so I've done that. All my savings.
Smart move, right?

The Argy Bargy Cafe thread. I think it is only for posh peeps though. (He, he!)

What's The Argy?

Please can we stop talking about bullies on other threads. For one thing it can become a thread about a thread which is against the rules, and for another it seems a bit like ‘talking behind people’s backs’. Yes I know it’s said openly but I don’t think anyone goes on every single thread so whoever it’s aimed at is unlikely to see it. If you think someone’s a bully say so to their face and leave it at that. For myself I think the word is being used far too regularly on here and has become cheapened. I’ve been insulted (a lot) and I don’t like it, at times I’ve been very upset (wimp) and gone away vowing never to post again. But I haven’t been bullied and I’m not going to claim that I have.

As for jingl, yes we had our run ins but I miss her and enjoyed her ability to cut through the crap and to make me laugh. I think her sins were mild compared to some on here and would like to see her back (legally!)

I am really chuffed to see that Jings has apparently been released from custody and is (probably on probation) back with us. Thanks GNHQ for listening to reason.

gillybob go to your GN inbox and there is an option to block at the top left .

What, you think it might be a scam, Ana? Oh no, how will I get my $14.5 million US dollars back?

I got one of those trustee PM's last night . Quite worrying . How do you block a PM ?

I received one tis morning, grumppa. Blocked sender - surely he/she can't think we're that naive?

It's a great opportunity, isn't it, grumppa? I've already transferred the full amount though, so you've missed the boat.

Seriously, GN are aware and have sorted it.

The have been a few threads on it grumppa - see you along with the “elect” in heaven (or the Caymans!”)

On the subject of PMs, I had one yesterday from trustee offering me the most amazing deal:-

"God bless you and thanks,
how are you? Happy to meet you. I got your contact via this site, I seriously have interest to invest on a profitable business in your country, the money I want to invest was acquired from my church member, and then I was his financial adviser. The amount to invest is ($14.5 million US dollars) presently, but I’m the present Catholic Church leader in my parish, if you will like to assist me as a partner, you must have the fear of God? Kindly indicate your interest, and all other details relating to the funds will be revealed to you as we progress on. Confidentiality contact my direct e-mail address ([email protected] or [email protected]) also indicate your direct telephone number, when replying this mail, God will guide us and with good health Amen,
God bless you and your family,
Rev, Chris"

Have others GNrs been similarly favoured?

I am not really a joiner in a, but I thought jings was a hoot,her humour was strong,she showed great sympathy for those in distress, and was very quick to apologise if she did offend, and she made me laugh out loud, and believe me I often needed and need that, so thank you jings you helped me through some very tough times.

You could be right kitty, there are a few bullies that could do with remembering the words ' do as you would be done by '.