Do you belong to any other forums?

Oops crossed posts.

'GN seems to have a large number of, mostly new posters, who delight in creating discord'
Kitty sorry to disagree as I know you are a very agreeable poster, but in your OP (quoted above) it could be read as not welcoming new posters. I think that is not how you meant it to read but it is definitely open to misinterpretation especially to a newcomer who doesn't know you.
#justsaying

Sorry to have to post this kitty, but your original post did say "The odd spat is understandable but GN seems to have a large number of, mostly new posters, who delight in creating discord".

Happy Birthday Liz from me too.

Annieb, I did not say anything about new posters not being welcome nor, I'm sure, did Gracesmum. Having taken notice of her posts over time, I know that is not something she would say. I object to deliberate misinterpretation of a post I have made but it proves my point really

and Happy Birthday LizG - I was so carried away I forgot! and

Ohhh, I've got a noun for me. A tad disappointed it means pompous twit but it's a start. Thank you LizG

Happy Birthday, Liz. Have a lovely day

Beautiful and delicious thank you yogagran

Happy Birthday Liz
and

Hallo grumppa lovely to hear from you. . Would just like to mention that the word I used was unbalanced not prejudiced and I feel there is a difference.

I have been known to type and re-type my response several times and then feel anxious about ensuing arguments so delete it completely. Today I am having a Sel (me being the pompous twit!) moment but it is my birthday so please go easy with me

Most definately more interesting Sels way, but my way I can say sod it but too late , Sel is the brave one , come to think of it, if I did read before click I would still click

Much more interesting sel's way!

Sel, I call those moments 'sitting on hands time' I type, click, then read .

Anniebach it's lovely to have 'new' people joining in, especially if they have the courage to disagree. I find it sad that some feel they dare not post unless they agree with what often sounds to be a majority opinion.

It's very easy, in the absence of tone and context for the written word to be misinterpreted and it does seem to happen a lot on here. Sometimes I type something, read it and think I sound like a pompous twit but I think sod it and hit send - not recommended

anno that's interesting. I suffer with fibromyalgia. I didn't think that there would be a forum help-line. Thank you.

I want new posters!!!

I am on a forum for people with polymyalgia and GCA. It's entirely for mutual information and advice about treatment and side-effects, and so on. I find it very helpful and it makes me realise that a lot of people are much worse off than I am.

Aka, as I live half way up a mountain in Wales then 'fresh air' is apt

Gracemum , sorry I cannot agree with you or Kitty that mostly new posters delight in causing discord. As a new poster I have NOT caused discord, I have questioned but only after being told I should hover on the sidelines before posting.

to the forum,

For me, extending a welcome to new posters goes a long way to creating harmony, telling them to know their place is, in my opinion, a sure way to cause discord.

What I don't understand is if some do not want new posters, or some do not want new posters to post unless in complete agreement , why an open forum ?
One can disagree on a topic without making or taking comments personally, good grief do some want lists on what pleases or displeases?

I was on a board - now closed- and we were discussing Mandela, I said he could have chosen to leave SA, practice law, invested in property and become very wealthy. - property and law = Mrs Blair , a woman who was born in Ireland but moved to England in the fifties claimed my post was a veiled attack on her, - jaw on chest moment. Seems what I realy meant was she, an Irish ,white female - not in law- should have stayed in Ireland and fought for freedom. I share this to explain that after that silly woman, nothing surprises me, no matter how veiled or open a claim.

Sorry, this is an epistle not a post, it's the Welsh in me, why use two words when you can use twenty

Smiley x

I like the sound of that OTH might give it a try myself.

Grumppa - my comment was not meant to be any reflection on our male members - just a statement of fact that those threads seem to be the ones they enjoy most.

I am not particularly sensitive and quite like contentious issues.

I used to post on Healthy Pages but found it was full of new age hippies who wanted to do lots of back slapping and hated it when anyone should criticize their point of view. I went on there because I am interested in alternative medicine but that was only a very small part.

Anyway, the other forum I like along with someone else here, is Moneysavingexpert.com. Lots of tips and a more gunge ho approach to discussions.

I like this forum, again for advice and camaraderie between us grandparents.

Just caught up with this thread.

No Gracesmum, I am not aware of any prejudice against men who contribute to the threads, though I am a little surprised at Greatnan’s comment about men that “the bar and banter threads seem to be their natural home”.

And in answer to the OP, I only belong to one other forum, relating to one dead author of children’s books. Not much scope for friction there!

Well, the answer could be, post and try to change it.

Kitty...I've been a member of GN since day one but now don't enjoy it so much....changed a lot...but agree with ariadne support is there when you need it

Yes Anniebach a welcome breath of fresh (Welsh) air to replace some of the fusty hot air currently circulating in GN [wind emoticon]