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

(155 Posts)
Greatnan Mon 07-Oct-13 16:30:09

.....you should read some of the expat forums. Most of the protagonists are men. The arguments are sometimes ridiculous. For example, one person says Britain is rubbish and life in France is perfect. Somebody else replies that their life in France has been disastrous and they can't wait to get back to Britain, which is wonderful. If I try mildly pointing out that both countries have their good and bad points, and you don't have to hate Britain to enjoy living in France, I get jumped on from both sides!
And the political arguments can get really vicious, with personal insults flying around.
I have fallen foul of one member who is an ex-policeman and gets very annoyed whenever I mention some news story about police corruption or incompetence, misogyny, homophobia or racism, even though I always point out that the majority of police officers are probably perfectly honest and fair. He always says the offences are only 'alleged' and goes very quiet when they are found to be true. As an ex-teacher, I just feel sad when stories appear about rogue teachers, but I don't take them as a personal insult. He also objects to my atheism and left-wing views. I have to enjoy that I quite enjoy jousting with him. If I couldn't take the heat, I would stay out of the kitchen! However, he has been responsible for several members leaving the forum, especially women.

I find Gransnet to be a haven of polite, kind, intelligent people, mostly women, with a scattering of some very nice men.

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:06:11

Bags is there a majority on GN?

thatbags Wed 09-Oct-13 22:10:47

Not that I'm aware of, galen.

thatbags Wed 09-Oct-13 22:11:15

Majority about what anyway?

thatbags Wed 09-Oct-13 22:15:14

There does seem to be a majority on this thread that thatjings is lovable smile

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:15:53

Whatever most of us are in favour of?confused

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:16:49

In answer to penultimate post

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:17:20

Ie Before kings!

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:17:43

B iPad Jings!

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:19:02

As Zebedee said 'time for bed' I think moon

thatbags Wed 09-Oct-13 22:19:24

I think the comment that provoked my query at 21:46:21 was just a wooden spoon comment.

I think we have a nice thick porridge now which doesn't need any further application of the spurtle.

That word can go in the Scottish words quiz.

thatbags Wed 09-Oct-13 22:20:11

Good night, galen. Sleep well moon

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:21:32

I have a spurted! Couldn't cook a sauce without it!
Night all moon

Galen Wed 09-Oct-13 22:22:26

SPURTLE!

Ana Wed 09-Oct-13 22:23:23

shock

Aka Wed 09-Oct-13 22:40:32

grin

absent Wed 09-Oct-13 23:46:18

I don't chomp, I didn't have muesli – grilled tomatoes on toast – and, above all, please don't address me as a muscle group. grin

Greatnan Wed 09-Oct-13 23:58:05

I started this thread in a spirit of friendship and I still feel like that, so goodnight and sweet dreams to all members!

Nonu Thu 10-Oct-13 00:46:19

birdie, like your post , see how you feel in 6 months ! smile

Greatnan Thu 10-Oct-13 11:46:05

Nonu - I have been a member for over two years and still find the huge majority of members to be people I would like as friends in 'real' life - in fact, very many of them are now my cyber friends and two (so far) have come to visit me and share my pleasure in my beautiful area. I look forward to welcoming others before I emigrate to New Zealand.

It is pouring down today, so I won't be having a walk, but I had to go out to get my flu jab in a neighbouring town, and I found a whole new network of little villages to explore on my way back.
The mountains are still beautiful, even in the rain, and I am still very happy and positive.
My best wishes to all members. flowers

Elegran Thu 10-Oct-13 12:31:01

I have found at least 99.9% of people on Gransnet to be ones I would be happy to meet in real life, too, and all those I have met in the flesh have borne out this opinion.

We can't expect every single person in any group we join to be exactly on our wavelength, and think exactly as we do on all subjects. What a boring world that would be!

If we assume from the start that we will be attacked and excluded, and post with a pile of chips on each shoulder, then of course we will be. You get back what you put in.

whenim64 Thu 10-Oct-13 12:57:49

It's great to see the positive comments about Gransnet members. I agree the vast majority are supportive, interested and happy to debate without falling out. I think I must have met over 20 members in various north-west meet-ups, and have found every one of them to be lovely people in the flesh. Time for another get-together in the next few weeks smile

Greatnan Thu 10-Oct-13 13:25:38

When - envy !

Aka Thu 10-Oct-13 14:20:05

When wink

Galen Thu 10-Oct-13 14:57:30

When I couldn't agree more!

Ariadne Thu 10-Oct-13 15:01:52

Me too! grin