Thanks Sadiesnan for beginning this thread. I think it is a really good topic for us. The phrase ' Do as you would be done by' comes to mind.
We are often discussing emotive topics which, at times, evoke strong replies. Not everyone is robust - this should not mean that they have less value, but if we recognise this, then as a 'community for all' I think we should bear it in mind.
As a newbie, when I first visited this site and read around many of the threads I was a bit surprised at the 'cut and thrust' of some discussions. Whilst it is true that we can all avoid a thread that we feel is not to our taste, I honestly think there are times when people must feel hurt.
Perhaps if we feel very vehemently and differently from a former poster, we should take care to check and measure our responses because they are in the public domain and that can add extra weight and impact. Alternatively, I think a PM could be a more sensitive route at times.
My only other experience of a chat forum has been a bereavement forum and people are especially gentle there for obvious reasons, but that gentleness would not go amiss here at times. I do not want to appear judgemental, but I think these sentiments have been echoed here already and it is a great pity to think that some people have felt put off joining in what is clearly a vibrant and deeply supportive meeting point.
Fruit flies - help needed please.
Army horses loose on London streets
Have any of you got all electric cars? Pros and cons please.