Do you ever feel intimidated?

Same here! I think it's a horrible expression!

artgran if its any consolation I often read very worthy and interesting posts and don't always comment. Don't go.
Threads do get monopolised by groups who seem to be intent on private conversations and you can feel ignored sometimes.
Agree with much of what you wrote elegran but occasionally you can feel too upset to simply ask what is actually meant, logical though that might be. However from now on I will employ that tactic and before things get too personal and out of hand.
Perhaps we should simply have a 'peace' emoticon, a white dove perhaps or a little red devil waving a pitchfork.

Or a white flag. Or is that too much like surrender

Too much like surrender nightowl!
Perhaps a 'here come the minions' flag with a skull and crossbones on it?

A flock of doves being chased by a hawk perhaps?

Rather a dove being chased by a trio of hawks!

Elegran - An insightful and balanced view, offered with clarity and friendship.

Elegran such a sensible post. It does dismay me to see how readily the worst can be assumed, before checking it out first. Peace!

Elegran You have expressed more eloquently what I was saying about not taking offence until you are sure that offence was intended. Thank you.

Nanadog I don't follow your suggestion about the flag. Minion: a servile or unimportant follower of a powerful person. Which important person do you have in mind? Is anyone more important than anyone else on Gransnet? Who are this person's minions?

What do minions have to do with a skull and crossbones? I thought that was associated exclusively with 18th-century British and British-American pirates. I think we should be told.

"A dove being chased by a trio of hawks" seems mighty close to bullying to me. And this unholy trinity would be …

Elegran wise words from a wise lady

Perhaps we could all the the time to read through our posts a couple of times before pressing "post message" and think whether what we are posting clearly reflects our own views and whether it could be taken the wrong way. Like others have said I have often started posts but then abandoned them because I could not put into words exactly what I was feeling and didn't want to give a wrong impression.

What's your point absent?
I'm trying to lighten the thread and not ignore jeni as promised.
Are you seriously wanting me to explain this little aside? If I was of a sensitive disposition I might see this as an attack instead of the genuine enquiry it is obviously supposed to be .
OK I'll humour you.....I thought jenis picture of a hawk being chased down by doves very funny. So I nearly wrote 'or a dove being chased by a flock of hawks', but I didn't like that linguistically (flock of hawks...not pleasing sound) nor do hawks hunt in flocks. The idea of a dove being pursued by a single hawk was not in the spirit of her post, but I thought a family of hawks perhaps, mother, father and baby hawk. I don't know if the dove felt intimidated but I imagine it wasn't a happy situation especially if it got caught.

Peace, doves etc

Looks like hostilities could break out again if we are not all careful....

Let us not point fingers in any specific directions. If any particular posters are meant, then a pm to them saying quietly that you sometimes find their answers a bit strong and personal and are discouraged from posting because of this will do more good than "outing" them and starting a schism.

More wise words elegran

Just read your reply NanaD My impression on reading "trio" was also that you had some specific persons in mind. It made me wonder whether you think that posters work together to pursue and destroy their prey. I really don't think that is so. Each response is separate.

Wow! There seems to be a consensus at this point in the thread. Should we all stop now while we are all friends and go talk about something else?

Well said Elegran

Fair comment elegran point taken.

Elegran I like your style. Go with the flow...deep breath...broad, warm Yay!

See everyone on another thread.

Now which one sounds interesting....?

Way to go elegran - I feel my mood improving at last !

Elegran, how I wish that you worked for the United Nations!

I missed all of this, but have read it with interest. elegran you are a wise woman!