Veni et ego profectus sum rumpitur

It really does my head in when a poster asks for feedback or opinions on a subject matter and then squeals that they're being bullied or respondents are being mean to them. And I remember that this was a frequent refrain from a poster over the Christmas period.

some posters who seemed intent on starting a fight in an empty room and were only too ready to plead “bullying” or “unkind” when anybody questioned their assertions.

Very true, Maw. But this goes on on GN at any time. Can be accompanied by a noisy flounce off the thread so the nonsense can’t be challenged.

As a relative newcomer( but long before Christmas) I am not aware enough of all the names to recognise if a poster is a newbie or not. If a thread becomes too vitriolic I just stop reading.

I am one who had a lot of time on my hands as my regular activities were all closed, DH was at home unwell needing frequent (but not excessive )attention, so I was unable to go out much or invite anyone here. I am on three different forums and this is the only one that got unpleasant.

I agree SpringyChicken - but it was a very peculiar time on here with some very odd threads being started.

If we do ignore them, then it could be someone in genuine need, but some of them could then come back and it is obvious they are not.

Farmor15 I use this ? for when a like button isn’t available.

SpringyChicken Agree with your comments.

I also agree with SpringyChicken

I have sometimes wondered whether more contentious issues are posted by someone who for whatever reason is trying to stir things up - perhaps to draw more traffic, or to get quoted in the Mail, for example?
Apart from that, I ignore posts that seem odd and if I get a sharp response I tend to move on.

I agree with SpringyChicken and once again wish there was a “like” button here. Would save a lot of time ?.

I'm always surprised that some people have enough time on their hands to play out on a site like this, with the sole aim of upsetting people.
Thanks for the just walk away Rene suggestion - I like it.

I must be the only person who believes that the GNHQ policy is the right one.
Report posts if you think they are fake and don’t post on them. They will soon drop off the ‘active posts’ section. It was the regular posters who caused a lot of the problems with so many responses. I actually thought a lot of the OPs being accused were genuine.

I find it incredible that anybody had any time on their hands!
No, let’s face it there were (to me at any rate) some posters who seemed intent on starting a fight in an empty room and were only too ready to plead “bullying” or “unkind” when anybody questioned their assertions.
Troublemakers? Attention craving? Possibly but also exploiting the good nature of others and causing genuine distress in some cases.

I think the problem over Christmas on Gransnet was that everyone had too much time on their hands- like when all the family are at home and start squabbling?.

Firstly, best wishes to Felice for your operation on Wednesday. I do remember your thread and some of the reaction to it . Thankfully it sounds as though you will be well looked after following your operation and do get back and tell us how you are getting on.

Yes GN has been particularly nasty recently. I actually now read all new posts, with a name I haven’t seen before, with some suspicion. I did take a short break away from the forum and was debating whether to give it up entirely. However I enjoy reading the exchange of views which for the most part are lively, warm, helpful and intelligent. Soop’s Kitchen is a particular joy and recently some of the posters there have managed to get help for another member who has been facing serious problems. GN does have its up side and the nastiness does seem to have abated. I also had a comment deleted for suggesting a post was not genuine. Whyever can’t we say onesie, or plimsoll, or school uniform without getting a reminder of the forum rules from GN? These are just playful comments after all.
GNHQ where are you?

True..but a shock if you don't know what is happening!

Hard if you are a genuine new poster arriving amongst the dross!

I agree, PECS but a genuine new poster won't fire off a load of abuse if they're given advice they don't want to hear.

A 'wait and see approach' is always the best way. The idiots either don't return or quickly reveal themselves.

Yes. Begging for attention so why give it to them?

I'm not disagreeing with all that's been said but some posters act like a moth to a flame then take it personally when their posts are deleted. It's annoying not to be able to warn others but HQ are not having any of it and so the whole thread gets deleted which is not a bad thing so why get uppity?

Hard if you are a genuine new poster arriving amongst the dross!

I don’t remember a Christmas (or any holiday time) being as bad as this last one for spoof threads/fantasists/ fibbers whatever you want to call them, begging for attention.
Seems to be settling down now though.

Yes merlot to some extejnt but possibly not longterm unless GNHQ gets a grip and address widely-expressed concerns.
Like you I'm a long-standing member but I can't recall such an unpleasant spell from day 1 until now.
My fear is that it's the thin edge of the wedge.

The site is back on track isn't it?

I joined in 2012 and remember quite a few late night 'jokers'. We managed to head them off without too much angst.

And for the sake of genuine newcomers we should be working with GNHQ to get the site back on track!

Twin2 we are mostly supportive and friendly when posters ask for help and advice, we have jokes and games, have robust debates over all sorts of things, occasionally it gets a bit personal (we are all mere humans) and even more occasionally it feels like some posters just pop in to play games , but a bit maliciously, and then disappear. It felt like the latter kept happening over the festive period.

I’m new and now off ladies. Was recommended as a friendly site which gave good support, chats and advice. Not against opposing views but just left difficult work situation for similar reasons as discussed above and don’t want to get involved.

Oldwoman On first reading I thought you might mean René of 'Allo 'Allo ( I shall say this only once!)
Maybe that works too.
However I don't think the 'code word' approach is the way to go. I really believe GNHQ needs to take the issue seriously and consult with us in a meaningful way!

The 'naughty step' got very crowded!