Why do you come to Gransnet?

Fortunately Jalima, the passive aggressive bullies are few and far between thankfully, and most of us are friendly caring and would never want to put others down. I have posted occasionally with my qualified therapists hat on when I see bullying. To some degree I have sympathy for them because they must be quite unhappy to criticise others, and hide behind anonynimity.

What I like most is to see people sharing other people's happiness and grief. It's the camaraderie that is important. We have as a society moved away from chatting to neighbours, putting the world to rights, and as some people often comment, they are lonely, so Gransnet offers them a lifeline. I think we all know that if someone was in real trouble, and we were near to them, we would go and see them and help if we could. I have recently posted on a forum as I am looking to help women to make themselves feel great.

I enjoy reading the posts, makes me realise that I am not alone in my views / thoughts. Pick up really useful tips also.

General chatter
Humour
Virtual friends

I joined on the recommendation of a friend as I needed impartial advice about a very difficult family situation. The support and advice I received was overwhelming and I was so grateful that total strangers took the trouble to write helpful posts, send personal messages and share their own experiences. I don't really post these days but I do dip in most days to see how my GN friends are doing .

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Exactly as Tanith said. Plus I hate confrontation so choose not to go anywhere near the politicos.

I think I come to GN mostly looking for situations like the ones I find myself in and seeing what advice is available.

Am I alone in being nervous of posting about my kids' problems in case my comments are ever linked to the real me. Typing my GN moniker into Google came up with every comment I have ever made. What if GN got hacked and our identities attached to our GN names.

So instead I lurk, hoping for second hand suggestions for dealing with my own worries and commenting from time to time. I love funny posts which cheer me up.

The one time that I asked for advice, with a neighbour rather than family, I received pages of comments from lovely people who were all enormously helpful and supportive and wish I was brave enough to ask for help with family too.

Incidentally, although I am very interested in politics I don't like the political conversations as they cause such conflict. Conflict is what I want to avoid in what remains of my life.

Only been on GN a few months. A friend told me about it as a place to discuss everyday problems with other Grans. I don"t get involved in politics or religion and never have. Some people seem very friendly and ones who I could relate to in person if I ever met them. Others not so. What I do find a bit exasperating sometimes is when reading the heading to the thread....followed by the question posed ....I put a reply which I think is useful...only to find the original post opens up further still revealing information which should have been included to start with....and which I might have given a different reply to. I have a lot of sympathy for some of the problems posted on here and wonder how I would cope if some were mine.

I was really enjoying this site. Even started contributing to some of the discussions but will be backing off now after a few extremely rude members have been vindictive to fellow members. What ever happened to "If you have nothing nice to say please say nothing at all." Such a shame as I looked forward to my daily dose of 'Grandsnet' Once again the few spoil things for the many!!!

I agree with gillybob. I come onto GN for support, good chat, help with being isolated, to play word games (they help with memory), hear about good books, read opinions, problems, funny things - and to feel some validation as an older woman and grandma....

I come on here because I like reading about people and their opinions, problems or ideas, what in the (very) old days was known as um, 'intercourse'.
I live alone, thus it helps me to stay in touch with the human race in all its varieties.

Catwoman keep going. The nicer we are to each other, the rude people drift away, as they don't really enjoy being nice to people. Best to ignore the rude ones just as if they have not spoken at all. They enjoy the upset they cause, so never let them upset you. There are so many nice people on here, it would be sad to let that go. Imagine if we were all in a room together. The bullies would have to back off as they are in a minority. Someone quite influential in the past told me a good line if you want to put someone down who is being aggressive.

' Yes of course, you are entitled to your opinion, for what it's worth'. Works every time. BTW Catwoman, do you look like Catwoman from the film, or do you like lots of cats. Either way is good. ?

Join the chat, chance to share opinions, ask advice, have a giggle at some posts, read recommendations and every now and again, enter competitions.

Reading of problems in other peoples lives, what a sad old biddy I am, and with my umpteenth cuppa on hand giving out my possibly useless and no doubt unsolicited advice but fortunately for them they can delete when ever.

I like the general chatter, the competitions, the free books! Mainly it's that you never know what is up for discussion each day. It's diverse. I belong to another forum about knitting that has people from all over the world on it, but I don't find much in common with some nations.

I enjoy GN for the Forums, including even the political ones. though I don't often join in, as they tend to become quite acrimonious. There are some very interesting and thoughtful posts about current affairs (eg. Grenfell and the fall out from that). Often the links are informative, amusing and otherwise food for thought (eg. Anne Pettifor and Modern Monetary Theory, recently).

Though I am constantly amazed at the posters who surely spend all their time researching links to support their arguments.

I like the recipes, but wish they were easier to search for. Threads such as LFHC are very interesting.

I rarely post on games or competitions but find that Household tips and hints are brilliant.

In general the help and support on the Forums is second to none, imo. Reading about others' family issues reassures me that our family isn't alone in its quirks and idiosyncrasies.

Long Live GN!

No your'e not sad at all sarahhellen and when I ask for advice I welcome everyone's responses. Sometimes it helps you see things from a different angle.

I like everything about it, (the humour sometimes has me laughing out loud!) except when there are nasty comments sometimes.

Oops, LCHF, that should be

I feel the same catwoman. Even the most innocent remark is jumped on by people who could only be described as 'bullies'.
I'd love to join in more but I now look who's commenting on particular threads and don't bother.

I like the Forums, don't really have time to do games or competitions. I am a self-confessed lurker, only posting occasionally and then on the less controversial topics. I am quite a tough cookie but life is trying enough at times without being involved in bad tempered exchanges online. Like so many of you, I am put off by very aggressive posts but utterly charmed by the kindness and helpfulness of most posters.

From being a member since the beginning I have read all kinds of posts relating to all subjects and over the years made many virtual friends in the early days we had some fab Friday nights out on the virtual town.
I steer clear of political threads as they can get far to personal and insulting and I also wonder why some posters are still allowed to vent their venom against other posters point of view.
I enjoy the competitions/soops kitchen & book club & [cake]

I would like to agree with Azie I have posted twice on different subjects and felt as though I was talking to myself, so I now come and read most forums, but keep my thoughts to myself. I feel that most posters are kind and thoughtful but several are unpleasant bullies.

To share or air opinions.
To take the good advice, and to disregard the unnecessary personal attacks.
To have fun and to realise there are many like minded people who see the good things in this world and accept its imperfections.
To share the joys of being pet owners!

I love the forums but only read the topics sent to me on email. I like the fact I hear people have the same problems, insecurities as I do. Iit validates I am just normal. Shouldn't feel so sorry for myself. Some posters are a bit harsh but everyone has a valid opinion. Except I don't think they should be personal. It's great there are people out there . I would like more meetup. I belong to a group called meetup . It's just one website not just different areas and anyone can set a meeting up. Just a thought. Also I would like a I need help page. There maybe one but there is just too much to look at. Well done to all at gransnet.