If you think GN can get a little heated.....

Oops , 'admit' not 'enjoy'.

Good for you Greatnan I admit I'm not very good in an argument and tend to opt for a quiet life but I do admire people who stand their ground and can have a good old ding dong with reasoned argument and come back for more. I can always think of the perfect riposte after I've lost an argument but I'm afraid my brain and my mouth are usually out of sync

I quite like a ding dong but only if it stays at a reasonably intelligent level. I can't see the point of just relying on personal insult to get your point across.

Are men less able to maintain their cool under pressure I wonder. This is true of some of the men I know (no names, no pack drill) who fly into hysterics the minute they are challenged.

Possibly some men like to be pack leader and cannot bear to be challenged - is it down to testosterone?

I don't tend to regard anything involving the term "ding dong" as a reasoned discussion, just a nasty row.
That is just a comment on my interpretation of the term "ding dong" I don't want to start a row over it.

I tend to stay out of 'ding dongs' I have my opinions and am entitled to them as are other people. I will stand up for myself when pushed. I like a calm and quiet life!

So do I, janthea!

I like lively debate, especially when I'm not looking over my shoulder in anticipation of someone objecting to the mild heat of the discussion. Hate personal attacks, jibes and insults. They are unnecessary and spoil the enjoyment and stimulation of the debate. Gransnet is the one I've stuck to, though I've tried other sites and found them to be either uncaring about all the members, or unable to moderate when nastiness sets in, as Greatnan has described. I often go over to Mumsnet, but find that people do get jumped on for no good reason, so I tend to lurk and not post on there. Happily, the vast majority on Gransnet are courteous and supportive.

Couldn't agree with you moreWhen I get upset by personal attacks as well and go out of my way to avoid them. However I do enjoy well reasoned debate!

Greatnan DH posts on some French expatriate sites. He has commented on the agro that takes place on them. He doesn't like it and left one after being flamed for saying something quite innocuous.

I enjoy threads where there are differing view points, but that don't involve confrontational or offensive comments to others.

My! How saintly you all are.

Well Eglantine we're not as prickly as some Rose!

Two names! Truly honoured. #mindup

I am opinionated, always have been, but I dislike personal attacks and avoid them at all costs. I hope I always respect people who disagree with me, I sometimes get exasperated when posters seem to be avoiding issues, but they probably think I do the same.

What is the Robbie Burns quotation about having the ability to see ourselves as others see us. I always think that would be a suitably chastening experience and probably do me, and others good.

I agree, FlicketyB (about everyone, of course, not just you!) - but as we are all so different we see others differently too!

You only have to look at the widely varying responses to certain controversial posts to realise that one member's 'reasonable' is another's 'completely out of order'...

At this time of life, aren't we past minding very much how others see us? Especially on an internet forum.

j08 Given how many times you have started a post in response to someone's comment about one of your previous posts with a defensive "I AM NOT … " it is clear that minding about how others see us still matters at any age.

Yes well, that's just standing up against some of the crap that gets posted on here! Would n' t you?!

crackling rose why are you so antagonistic these days?

I am minded of that cartoon, where a proud mother is watching her son marching at a parade. She is saying 'They are all out of step, except our Willie'.

I would n' t want to be in step with every poster on GN.