To my mind, this, like any other public forum is a 'free space' for us all. I have posted over many years, on many different forums, but never before encountered what seems to be an applied undercurrent of 'pecking order' based on longevity of membership. Maybe this is peculiar to GN. I truly do not know, but I am not imagining it. These seem to be the unspoken rules that SOME want GN to run by:
Long established posters may exercise the right to post sharp comments without apology or explanation.
Newbies must forgive this, but not respond (most likely because they 'don't know the back story to that poster's life.' )
Newbies should not have the audacity to suggest that someone may be out of order.
If Newbies want to disagree with established users, they are making 'accusations' and must provide evidence for any points raised.
PM - ing anyone is 'talking behind someone's back.'
If a newbie writes frankly and openly - in a polite way, they are still 'overstepping the (hidden) mark and it is ok for someone more established to take them to task about it.
Gransnet should be understood as a 'club' and new members should not comment on how it operates. If they do they can expect to be put in their place.
I am not being fascetious here. I genuinely want us to chew this over. These are the messages that I think do SOMETIMES get sent out. Is this what other people believe to be the case?