Constructive criticism?

It's never going to happen. If people start contentious threads then they will get criticised by some posters and supported by others. It's the nature of forums, and it always has been.

You can't police a forum by telling everyone to be nice. It will only come back to bite you on the bum .

What prompted this ruby?

Totally agree Ruby.

My problem is that if I get unfairly (IMO) criticised I find it difficult to walk away, as i know I should. As my teachers used to say, "must try harder"

I can't help feeling that you may have started a thread that will attract the very criticism that you hate dislike.

To be honest, I think a minority of people visit forums at least partly because they enjoy having a safe, anonymous go at other people. I visit very few, but I see the same types on all of them.
I often think that in the real world they may very well be quiet types who would never dare say such things to anyone in person, but get a kick out of it when safely hidden behind their user name.
Could well be wrong, though!

Oops .......with you

rubylady I totally agree you.
We come on here as friends to find comfort and a positive advice in which gransnet do so well

Well said rubylady, and you're so right, however I can't help smiling when I read a couple of posters having a go, not that I'm brave enough to join in, but I've got my list and 'what the heck' Gnnet makes me smile in the mornings.

And so say all of us. Mx