Has Gransnet changed for the worse?

It's when folk try and force their views onto you and when it doesn't work, out comes the xenophobia card along with all the other " cards " that I don't cope with. There's no need for it.

We're all different with different views and most of us wouldn't dream of foisting our own personal views onto someone else. Certain threads are for discussing and that's exactly what they're meant for when it's a news topic.

I haven't been on Gransnet long enough to be able to judge properly. I think that there have always been people who like to start a fight and anonymity can sometimes encourage them to be unnecessarily nasty.
My dad's hobby was disagreeing with people and he would have had a field day if he'd had a computer.

I think Gransnet is simply reflecting real life communities. However, in real life we don't often engage with people whose views are terribly different from our own (unless they're family/friends) - nor do we have to on here. For at least the last thirty years I've made it a point to read and engage with views that are different from my own and therefore are often challenging. I think it's a good thing that, due in a large measure to the anonymity afforded, GN posters are free to express our views and beliefs, but I find it disquieting when posters resort to unnecessary personal attacks upon people with opposing views.

Funnily enough the GOOD NEWS thread about Brexit which I started was to share any positive news.
Surely a good idea?
It soon got hijacked.

Not long after I joined I received a really nasty PM, seems I was responsible for a poster having to move abroad because I voted for Blair ?

Touche, MCEM

In one Anniebach sad but true.
Maybe things will calm down after this month.

Certain leavers have blighted some threads with inane repetitive soundbites - it’s not all one sided.

awaiting lots of PM now

I think iff sumeone tuck the bother to PM me wiv a spelin misteak

(A) they must lead a sad life
(B) their name would go in my binn (lol just testing)

Charleygirl I’m surprised you were not given 100 lines ?

The mind boggles as to what type of person would do this?

Thank you Framilode

lemongrove Though I don't agree with your views I always read your posts with interest. They are well thought out, succinct and avoid personal attacks. You have questioned my views but never in a nasty way.

That is how the forum should be, respecting the right of others to hold opposing views whilst defending your own.

As always MissA, I would have to agree.
In regard to the rude and bad mannered posters who point out someone's spelling or grammatical mistakes; it would be nice to ignore them but, sometimes, rude and bad mannered behaviour has to be called out. And as for sending someone a pm to point out a spelling mistake.... words fail me. Perhaps a good response would that spelling and grammar can always be improved upon, whereas rude and ignorant behaviour rarely is.

I think its more friendly than it was a couple of years ago when I joined.

Correcting spelling mistakes etc is a no no.

The country is divided , leavers and remainers, far left and right

I think it’s only Brexit tbh.The insulting tones from stroppy
‘Remainers’ have blighted the threads for the last two years.

The adage ‘ if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything’ is a ridiculous Victorian saying, aimed at children.
A forum is all about views and opinions and we can’t all agree with each other, but can keep the insults under wraps.
It doesn’t matter if posters are right wing, left wing, or in the middle.

Charleygirl! Good heavens. I'd worry about the sort of person who felt that was called for.

Yes, definitely, very sad but I think it reflects the state of the UK now, no unity, everyone at each other's throats, spiteful comments. It doesn't take long for a thread which started well to turn into yet another slanging match. I've been a member on and off for years and I would say things have definitely got worse.

I received a PM for a spelling mistake I made- totally unnecessary. That is the kind of nit picking which should not happen.

I am a very new member of Gransnet. I found the site by chance when googling retirement. I have found a great deal of helpful information here, and it is also good to realise when you are struggling that you a not alone. The Kitchen is lovely, and makes me laugh; lovely people who smile in the face of adversity.

I think debate is good, although I wouldn't post on the majority of threads that address such subjects as politics etc. they are far too heated for me but I like to read the comments. I imagine a lot of newbies would be worried about posting anything tbh seeing the replies from some posters. For me I just move on and read something else.

From observation some posters seem to lack any empathy whatsoever, not sure whether these are new people or not I haven't been here long enough but I do think one or two have been here a long while and it is just their MO. I wonder too if these are younger members, but I don't know.

All in all, I think it is a good site with really helpful information from the majority, there is always someone who has had experience of the question posted, which is excellent.

I've been around on GN for a few years now. I don't think the overall tone has changed much. There were always threads that attracted polarised views. I generally just give them a miss. The disagreements are so predictable. However, there is an increase in daft nit picking but that seems to be by certain specific GNers so I just ignore them as I would in real life. It's not possible to get on with or even like everyone and at our age we don't actually have to!
Lots of nice enough threads to be going on with.

RosieLeah - I agree with you 100%. Sadly we seem to be in the minority. ??

Yes mcem It was reading those last few posts on the Brexit thread that prompted me to post on here. The usual suspects.