Tolerant or Intolerant?

Bradfordlass72, it's a fair point.
I am not a very frequent poster and stay away from the political and hotly contested threads. Not because I am uninterested in politics, quite the contrary but I don't like the unpleasantness that enters the exchanges.

I posted something quite gentle on an angry thread and one of the posters directed an aggressive response at me. I chose to ignore her, but found it quite unpleasant.

The experience put me off posting for a while. Then I realised that particular person appears to post in aggressive tones quite often.

I agree, there could be other reasons for such aggressive language. My position is that I will not get drawn into 'you said ... I said' and will avoid aggressive posters and threads which turn angry/nasty.

sometimes some ones harshness gives us the kick up the backside that we need. I do not however feel that we should be rude to each other, there really is no need for that. Just be supportive and honest and open with our replies but definitely there is no need for rudeness or abruptness.
We must remember we are all using this sight for help and support and advice. X

Yes I’m new here and on scanning some topics before I joined up I recognised that it could be a risk that an insensitive or harsh reply to a problem or concern could make me feel worse but decided to give it a go anyhow ( it is years since I ever joined any online groups, don’t do Facebook ) . Worth a try anyhow I think !

Oopsminty

You could be right, it’s interesting to imagine different peoples lives, probably get it all wrong!
I think in real life, we moderate what we say, because we probably like the people we’re speaking to, and agree on lots of other things, here we are all faceless and nameless, and tend not to be mindful of other people’s feelings.

I've thought that the people who start getting aggressive on threads possibly have little input in the real world. I remember my father saying that as he got older he just wasn't important any more.

The political threads are a great example. I doubt very much any of those comments would be made face to face.

I don’t know, I tend to lose interest and disappear when things get nasty, which they frequently do.

You are right in saying we don’t know each other at all, and in real life would probably never have much to do with each other, but if we were all in a room having a conversation, I’d be very surprised if it deteriorated into a slanging match so quickly.

Some people are purposely antagonistic, and very rude, as you say, we know nothing about them, there could be many reasons. But somehow I think they’re just nasty.

I think you should respond as you would if you were actually speaking to the person. If you wouldn’t/dare not say it in real life, then you shouldn’t post it. So many people sound off online because it’s anonymous.

I too have thought this at times Bradfordlass .
Perhaps if someone is rude or aggressive we need to allow for this and not be hurtful in our response, or perhaps just ignore the comment.

I think we should respond honestly to whatever someone else has said. There is no need to be aggressive or angry, rude or offensive. There is no need to "blame". It is perfectly possible to counter an argument or respond to egotistical comments in a courteous manner – and move on.