General Chat

nudged for people searching for evidence of cliques.

I have to agree with you Pat. I have been on the boards for a few years now and can see what is going on. There is a band of people on the General Board who cause trouble with their double speak and underhanded comments. A pack of savage dogs comes to mind. They appear as a pack. I could name them but I would be thrown off the site. . They are out to cause trouble, plain and simple. If your name happens to be XXX or YYYY, or you have a different opinion from 'the Gang/ Clique' you are on the 'hit list' they will hound till they are satisfied. Deb We have lost a few good members due to this.

Been a member on GR for a year now - but only started using board about 10 days ago.. I have found it both fun & Interesting, and a nice way to pass an hour. Everyone appears couteous and friendly.. But surely this board is an open forum?? Whoever feels like starting a thread can and whatever their subject or object of the thread is also their decision,, Its like tv - if you dont like it dont partake.. I think governing this board in any way will minimise the diversity and interest that it so clearly holds... Longstanding members yearn for the old days and new members try hard to fit in... but at the end of the day - its a communication tool free for us all to use as we wish - in a considerate manner of course.

Pat, I have been here for quite a while, I have seen the treads and some of the PM`s and some of them have been very nasty, luckly none have been towards me yet! I know first hand (not from this site but from other sites I Moderate at or Host, I won`t tell you what I`ve been called because I`ve had to delete a post with racial hated in it) how nasty some people can be. My advice to people would be if you don`t like what you see do something about it, report it if its a PM or tread, or if it`s lack of threads you prefer Add some threads of your own!

I totally agree Len exactly what I was saying thank you :-) Stu I hate the nastiness but there is also the under handed nastiness as well, its very childish and reminscent of school playground bullying, people privately emailing because they are afraid of offending someone they agree with you but won't say it openly or they can't talk to that person on the boards again grrrr. People don't know the half of it on here. Don't know who you are talking about Stu but some of what you would see as innocent comments are actually aimed straight at other members. Maybe if people saw half of it they would realise why over 50 members have left here, I can understand why and others can too, but it seems if you talk straight and honestly you are seen as the baddie, well I would prefer straight and honest everytime at least you know where you are. Pat x

I`d LIKE to see more of ANY topic on these boards doesn`t matter if it is stupid or serious. The only thing I don`t like seeing is anything nasty or spiteful. I report any such treads on sight! Yes I have been here a while, no I don`t post much the main reason being some of the people on here (not the majority) seem to think it should be run as they see fit. Think It might also be an idea if you read a thread you like add something to it even if its just a nudge.

The title of the board 'General Topics Board' shows the intention is for discussion,discourse, essays and the like , the subject of conversation or argument dealing with news, current affairs etc. The word derives from the Greek topica meaning matters concerning the commonplace. Of late, the board seems to have become unbalanced, overwhelmed by silliness and trivia generated by a comparitively few people so, if management is thinking of disbanding it, this would not be surprising. I for one would be sorry at its demise as there is much wit and humour to be found here although, I have to admit, too much dross, some of it so badly written (in a sort of texting language) as to be hardly intelligible. Len

Its interesting - of all the people who have no doubt been on site only about 20 have commented. I guess that implies that people are not really bothered either way (please dont take that the wrong way Jenny). I guess those are the people that have firm feelings one way or another, I hope more do contribute. Jess x

Vivienne, Sorry not to reply sooner - been doing some essential gardening, as tomorrow is our recycling day - had to fill the bin! Yes, you're right. I do look at thread titles mainly, but when I'm in a hurry, those titles that don't give away what the thread is about get by-passed if they're not posted by someone I 'know'. I'll also post on a thread and then not have time (or forget) to go back to it, so that could look to others as if I'm being ill-mannered. I don't like to come over as rude to people, but on the other hand, I don't feel I owe an obligation to anyone to respond if I don't want to. I've been tabbed as 'outspoken' and 'forthright', but there have been many times when I've wanted to say how stupid/callous/infantile someone's post has been, but I nearly always think 'How would I feel if that were said to me', and I don't do it. I'm sure I'm not alone in that. Nobody's perfect, least of all me, so I try not to be judgemental. Each to their own, as the saying goes. I agree with what Lindy has said. If we were all put in the same big room, some of us would get on famously, others would probably strangle one another! CB >|< :>)

For what it is worth (probably not much) my view on the board is that it is like a huge room filled with people, people form small groups, i.e. wedding receiption, company do etc. they all talk about different topics it would be impossible for them all to have the same conversation. The board reflects this, when someone has an opposing opinion to that of the original thread sometimes the only way to be heard is to start a new thread, remember there are many folk out there who for whatever reason are never 'heard' in their real lives this way they can put across their feelings, sometimes I post a thread to which no one replies, that is fine as I have at least got the problem or thought out in the open. I do feel that sometimes the bickering gets a little waring but in 'real life' nothing is perfect. Love to all xxhugxx

i enjoy all different threads, some days Im serious, others I just want to talk 'Goobledegook' it depends on my mood, I put up serious thread and silly threads, I like them all. Roxanne x

All this talk of age, i now realise im old!! lol I agree with everything you say......CB and Gwynne, you both have a great way with words. Couldnt put it better myself. Having been away from the boards for a few weeks, im still finding it hard to tell who is who i must admit. Donna x

Hi Jenny I was going to add my halfpennorth' but thought I ought to read others comments first. When I got to Bryan and noticed that he said 'the last couple of weeks have been great' I wondered if perhaps I should just dissappear LOL (been on holiday for 2 weeks :)) Seriously though, I agree with a lot of what has been said. I like diversity too. Fun, quizzes and serious discussion. I have found in the past that a lot of the best fun has come about accidently on unlikely threads. One thing I would like to say though, I'm not sure what threads seem to be annoying some people but surely if certain threads are not enjoyed by the majority they will very quickly dissappear (few or no replies). I also think that a board like this is a bit like a soap - you can watch it for ages and really enjoy it but occassionally it will seem less interesting for a week or two (yes-even Coronation Street LOL). The only thing that I object to VERY strongly is if someone says anything nasty to (or about) someone else. To me, that is quite unacceptable. Lets all try to be nice to each other and enjoy the fact that we are all different. Think how boring it would be if we were all identical:)) Chrissie xx

Mommy, can I say as a relative newcomer to this site that I think the General board is great!! If I want serious stuff or help I tend to go to the tips board, and also to help anyone there if I can (not that good though all the others are quicker than me) But in saying that I tend to skim down the list and read whatever interests me;;; also I have posted on this board for some serious stuff and the help and advise has been brilliant.. I would say leave well alone but then I have had no nastiness happen to me and I hope I dont. For those who help on the tips board please keep up the good work you are FAB. Babs

I value the topic board for lots of reasons and read most threads, I value the board for the company it offers for me when my husband is at work. It would be a shame if we lost it.

Hi CB, So what you are saying is that like me you take thread title & name into account? Sometimes I look at a title & think, no I'm not interested in that, then I see the name & think, might be worth a look, am I right? Vivienne

You've found me out CB:))

Vivienne, As I said earlier, I only read certain people's threads when I don't have time to read all of them. This time of year is always very busy for me. If I have the time, I enjoy seeing what everyone is posting. However, the majority of posts from younger members, i e issues concerning their children, schools, TV shows and pop music, wash past me, as I've been there, done that or I'm too old to contribute to what they're talking about. The Bear Relay has put me in touch with lots of people who I'd never 'spoken' to before. I have made many friends on this Board (some of whom have, sadly, now left) and I continue to make new ones. My time, as you know, has lately been overwhelmingly consumed by Bear Relay matters, and I have other many other home, family and personal issues that need my attention. I tend to look in here when I'm communicating via email or phone with people - doing two or more things at once, as otherwise I'd never fit everything in. As it is, days are much too short. CB >|< :>) X

I no longer use the Chat Board because it was moving so fast that by the time I had typed a reply to someone their remark had slipped to page 3. I like the idea of Threads because a conversation on a subject stays together and is easier to follow than trying to pick out the relevant stuff from an unthreaded board. As to content, I agree with the majority here that it is the sudden flurry of similar Threads which are the most annoying. Personal difficulties are OK if one is seeking counsel or consolation, but, once again, not too much detail please. Toilet Humour? OK as long as the title warns about its content.

I just want to say ditto to everything said by CB in her main post. With one reservation regarding your follow up post CB. How are you going to get to know others if you only read threads posted by those you know or recognise? I do hope CB that you reconsider your decision to leave as you always put everything so clearly & precisely & we need you. Vivienne