to expect people to read threads BEFORE they comment?

I don't think kitty is referring to lengthy threads.

Sometimes you can tell from the OP whether it's necessary to look back at earlier posts before commenting.

I do try to do that mostly (well, skim read if it is long) but sometimes they are tltr and then I try to get a gist but go back to the OP and answer directly.

I see what you mean, though, kitty but threads do meander off the main OP quite a lot sometimes and some posts are best ignored.

I've been following a thread where the op simply need to vent and have a degree of support.
There have been several harsh and inappropriate replies which I believe we're not deliberately cruel but which have proved very hurtful.
Despite a few interventions explaining the true situation, more unpleasant comments have followed.
I'm sure this is a result of simply not reading the full story.

As I don't know what lies behind bthis Kittylester I am probably not best placed to comment. If we are talking about some of our llengthier threads (!), it is hard to trawl back through possibly hundreds of posts without missing something. I can also understand a "gut" reaction but "hurtful personal comments" a) should not be made and b) should not be made!

I must admit to getting confused in Word Games and hadbetter avoid them!?

I agree, it's irritating and often genuinely hurtful when people don't take time to read the thread. Much worse on Mumsnet where threads can get seriously skewed and RTFT often appears. Sometimes it looks as if posters wilfully misunderstand what has gone before!

Not unreasonable but some write essays and it can make for difficult reading.

I do agree with you Kitty as sometimes people post to the OP but things have evolved since and their replies can be inappropriate.

Sometimes I can be guilty of skipping through the very long political posts, and then scroll back to see why or how certain skirmishes heated discussions have started.

Probably not everyone has the space to read through everything that is posted.

Stansgran Numberplease is now Callgirl with possibly a 1 at the end of it.

Totally agree with your point, kitty. On the whole, the "personal" threads are not onerously long and should be skimmed before commenting. However, each poster's life and personality will often colour the comment, as is seen so often and to which badenkate alludes.

I do avoid very long threads as I can't always remember how things went. I actually look for names down the last posts and avoid or read depending on their previous history. If Bijou has posted I'm interested as she has said I think that she's in her nineties and I feel so pleased that she defies the picture of elderly people not being computer literate. I look for you Kitty and JaneAinsworth because you are brave enough to use your names . I like Petra's posts as she's pretty robust. I do wonder where Numberplease has gone as she read so fast and I miss Micelf.

I think after a time on GN you get to know who's likely to make unconsidered hurtful comments and if possible (and I agree it is difficult not to read them) ignore what they say. Some posters seem to make 'tough love' their mantra in life and somehow don't think what effect this may have on people in a situation when all you get is the written word without any of the unspoken reassurance of saying things face to face. I often feel sorry for their families ?

I know but those sorts of comments can be very hurtful to the op though.

Not unreasonable, but just accept that people have points they want to make and often don't see why something as obvious as reading what they're commenting on should get in their way.