To object to inane 'banter' on serious threads?

I wasn't mocking.

A bit late to say we shouldn't discuss another poster (no names, no packdrill) since there has been a huge amount of that on other threads already.

I think the OP made a valid point although the way Greatnan said it made me giggle nervously .

I didn't mind because I always welcome the opportunity for a bit of (temporary) regression.

My remarks were not intended to mock Frank but I can see that we shouldn't be talking about another member. I just wanted to say that I find his posts a bit of light relief sometimes, I've only started to read them lately. It wasn't my intention to say anything derogatory about him.

Nor belittled or patronised. I don't think we were doing that to Frank, although I agree it's not really on to be discussing him.

Agree , posters should not be mocked .

Surely you don't regard this as a serious topic of conversation?

Can't see any reason to turn it into a thread about another poster.

I think they're just making light of the original topic which, in this case seems inoffensive [to me]. But surely that means that you agree with the OP and the point being made? Or am I just getting confused ?

Should you be talking about another poster? Not to say, mocking?

As far as this thread is concerned I think the original post was downright rude and insulting, and the thread should be disposed of now.

Should never have been started.

They remind me of Monty Python

Nonu Frank's posts are not just frivolous they have a surreal quality about them as well!

Well, at least we all know everything we need to know about house sharing with a parent - although after the first post on that subject I have stopped reading them! And I thought I was obsessive.

Bit of frivolity can be good .

I think a lot of his posts are merely frivolous . There is no particular harm in him

Me too, petallus!

I agree with BAnanas that Frank's posts are entertaining in a slightly bizarre sort of way (no offence Frank).

I am reminded of Mr Pooter.

Bizarre yes. Infuriating yes. Entertaining no.

This is kind of off the point from Greatnan's original post, but having made up my mind to steer clear of most of the Thatcher posts because of the predictably of the inevitable differences of opinion. Of late I've found looking at some of the more innocuous threads. I'm transfixed by Frank's, the wonderfully titled "Andie did his job last night" is one of his unique gems. I love them, am I alone in thinking they are simultaneously entertaining and bizarre at the same time?

How many times do I have to repeat it? I just asked if I were being unreasonable and some of you said 'yes'. I have not tried to dictate to anybody.
I will try to ignore any more frivolous posts, even when they are on very serious threads.

Ella is quite correct to say that no-one has to deal with us as though we are naughty children. Surely, we are all equal and entitled to equal input, if we wish, regardless of what anyone else may think about it or are some members more equal than others?

Have you been elected to your position as Overlord of Gransnet, or did you simply decide you were the bestest and smartest Granny of all, so you are entitled to boss the rest of us around?

Don't tell me where or what I may write.

In answer to your question then greatnan - Yes, I think you are being unreasonable. What you consider to be inane 'banter' might not be so for others.

As gk says, we're all different, and I'm glad about that. Inclusivity is one of the strengths of GN.

You are quite right, Grannyknot, and I will try to ignore the silly posts in future.

Is all this fuss really about Nonu and her prawn cocktail? For Heaven's sake this is Gransnet, not ruddy Question Time!

In other words you're a human being!

Dear greatnan I hardly ever get involved in these sort of threads. However, going back to your OP - perhaps the answer is patently obvious: we are not all the "presumably mature" people that you hope would post on a serious thread. I know I can sometimes be hopelessly immature, impulsive, spontaneous, make mistakes etcetera.

The most important thing to me is that we are not all the same, thank goodness, how boring would that be. If someone witters on a serious thread, I ignore it and pick out the bits I want to read.

Witter or not, there is always something to learn from most of the people who take the time to post on these forums.

I am sorry you are angry, Galen - to me your post read as if you were saying that the black humour amongst professional colleagues was no different from the 'banter' which people posted on serious threads. I am sure you would not dream of making jokes about any tragedy outside the professional situation and between your colleagues.

Ana - you are most welcome to post and I expected that you would. I don't believe you do post irrelevant comments on serious threads, so my annoyance is not directed at you.

I repeat once more, I have not said people cannot post what they like, only that the derailment of serious debates annoys me. I hardly think that can be classed as dictating forum rules.

I ask again - why do some people do it?