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Why do you use Gransnet?

(159 Posts)
M0nica Fri 17-Aug-18 14:55:23

All of the above. I joined out of curiosity, like having an opportunity to discuss all kinds of subjects, like being able to offer information and advise others in areas where I have expertise, enjoy being flip and silly at times. I also have the opportunity to interact with people whose lives and life experiences are very different from mine and that can never be anything but a good thing.

I have made good real friends through GN, although I never intended that. Like most people I have never posted a profile or photo of myself and when I fill in questionnaires, I never enter the prize draw to protect my anonymity.

I only access GN when I am on my computer, never on my phone and I do not have a tablet. I do it at any time of the day, and, occasionally, night. It is the perfect procrastinator. I am only on GN now because I ought to be doing something else

Charleygirl Fri 17-Aug-18 13:18:08

I am happy to help especially if it is related to my ex professional life and I can help re the questions.

I have made real and virtual friends- this was something I had not expected. 4 of us meet up for coffee monthly and have been doing it for over 3 years now. We spend two hours laughing and chatting.

I spend too much time on GN to the detriment of other things in my life!

janeainsworth Fri 17-Aug-18 12:58:03

annie flowers

Anniebach Fri 17-Aug-18 12:54:29

It’s my only connection with people, i am on as soon as I wake, have people to say good morning to, shudder to think how I would had survived a very dark time last year. I learn, am given encouragement, give encouragement when I can, play a few games, it has become the family I no longer have.

I enjoy it and need it.

Scribbles Fri 17-Aug-18 12:45:38

I rarely look at anything except the forums and I started doing that when I moved to a new area and was looking for ways to get to know other people and make friends.

Now, I usually settle down for an hour with my morning coffee to read through the active threads (although not all of them). I enjoy the give & take of information, the humour and helpfulness, the feeling of connection with people across the country and across the world, most of whom I'll never meet but who I've shared an emotion or an experience with.

I sometimes look in during the evening, too - I don't own a TV set and sometimes can't settle to a book or the radio.

I can't think of anything which would make me do things differently or would 'improve my experience '. I'm a contented user: please don't do anything to change that!

GrannyGravy13 Fri 17-Aug-18 12:43:59

I have come to rely on my virtual friendships over the last couple of months (leg injury so sofa bound for 4 weeks, just getting mobile)

There is always a Gran around to chat to. Dip in cautiously to the political forums, Brexit threads appear a lot calmer recently. Always amazed at the things I have found out since joining.

kittylester Fri 17-Aug-18 12:38:34

Yes to all the above!

I feel involved in people's lives now and would miss them if I didn't check in. Obviously, I feel a greater connection with some people than others.

I have made friends, both real and virtual, which is not what I expected when I joined gn.

rubytut Fri 17-Aug-18 12:27:59

I like to have something else to do whilst I am watching TV. I only look at the forums, some are a subject I have an interest in, some just to have a laugh at the petty squabbles.

LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Fri 17-Aug-18 12:21:11

We'd really like to improve Gransnet and to do so we want to understand why you use it? If you'd prefer to name change for this you're very welcome to in My Gransnet.
Is it for information? Chat? Interest in other people's lives? Giving or receiving advice? Connecting to other people? Do you log in because you're bored/need a distraction and want to while away some time? Or do you come looking for something specific?
Do you use it in place of reading a book/watching TV/having a snack/looking at Facebook?
Do you visit at certain times of the day? First thing in the morning? At night? If there was something we could that would encourage you to use it more or differently, what is that thing?
No need to answer absolutely all of these obviously but anything you can tell us would be really helpful. Thank you! smile