Is it just me?

Before we all had mobile phones, my sister's car burst into flames an a dual carriageway. My sister ran the 500 yards to the nearest house to call the fire brigade. When she got back to the car, the police were already there with a small crowd including one very excitable young man who insisted that it was a stolen car because my sister had "run away".

My sister is asthmatic and could not breath or talk, so the police took her in for questioning. It was all cleared up quickly and amicably.

My point is that people jump to conclusions all too quickly, and then act on them with conviction without knowing the facts. And in this time of heightened anxiety in some, they jump to conclusions even more quickly and spread them as truth for want of more positive news.

My opinion only and definitely not pointing the finger at anyone in particular.

Bijou I too have wondered how people would cope, I was 6 when it started still had a very good education. In London most of the time. I fear we would have lost. .

People really were overweight in the 50s, though.

This is a photo of a market in 1952, and there are some less than skinny people there. My own grandmother (born in 1912) struggled with her weight all her adult life, and was prescribed some sort of amphetamines to control it, which did nothing for her temper - I remember her as quite scary, and my mum's memories are a lot worse.

People would cope with war now, in the same way as then - some would manage better than others. I think it is a mistake to generalise about generations - as you say, the Syrians are having to deal with unimaginable conditions, and they are living now.

Bijou The amazing resilience of the wartime generation still found in the most unusual of places. So not all doom and gloom and much to be grateful for in being blest by such helpful kindness.

Spangler - Your comment correct - a robust discussion almost impossible on Gransnet - with all too many just looking to find a reason to be offended. This outlook perhaps born out of dealing with adversity in normal times made too easy.

sparklingsilver - a robust discussion is fine, but I'm sure you'd agree that if we disagree we can do it politely. However aggressive comments about the person rather than the issue can be offensive.

I wanted to quote one of your posts yesterday to give an example of where - unfortunately - you may have been offensive to someone you disagreed with on another forum.

Then I saw that it must have fallen on the wrong side of "robust discussion" as your post has been deleted for not following the Talk Guidelines!

On the contrary, since these Covid times began, I have found that generally people are more open-heart, kind d and friendly, especially those of our generation.
On the buses, in the shops or even just out for a walk, people seem to be more polite and accommodating to each other, or maybe it's just me having my pink spectacles on today!

That was meant to read open-hearted, kind and friendly

No panic buying or nastiness where I live, Blossoming. Perhaps you have been unlucky in the people you have come up against recently. I hope you find some kinder people to engage with.

Unigran4 - people do jump to conclusions don’t they. I’d agreed to meet DD2 in Paddy Freeman’s Park to walk her dog. There are 2 car parks - I parked in one, but the disabled bays were taken, so I phoned to tell her and walked onto the road, so she could pick me up and park in the other carpark, so I could then lift her wheelchair out of her boot, etc. Imagine my annoyance when I returned to my car to find a quite offensive note under my wiper informing me the carpark was for park users and not for someone to leave their cars to go off shopping. I’m still seething - little things??

I too have noticed that the closer I go to built up areas, towns or cities (rare occurrence but necessary for hospital appointments) that the people are wearing masks less, not keeping their distance and openly coughing and spluttering, shouting loudly and generally behaving as if there was nothing happening. However in the small town where I live everyone is kind and courteous, a lot of mask wearing and stepping aside going on and often a cheery chat to someone who might look as if they need some company (at two metres of course). I am not surprised that the more crowded a neighbourhood becomes the less careful the inhabitants are and the higher the Covid outbreaks are

People here ‘in the flesh’ out and about are friendly but online, things are very different. I’m on a classical music site, mainly Americans and it has become an absolute witch-hunt of thought policing, with prominent performers and commentators cancelled, as they call it. It has worsened over the last few months, to the point where it seems to have little to do with music. I know it’s America, but I would imagine Twitter here is the same (not on that).
Some posters, decrying others with accusations using foul language (apparently’woke’) give a lovely impression on Facebook, ‘be kind’, hearts etc. I don’t get involved but look on in horror.

Ramblingrose22 Exactly what I mean. Using "offended" because someone does not agree with you reveals the contributor unable to validate their opinion. On a political forum one should expect a vigorous challenge. And in conclusion, since I did not insult anyone I will continue to express myself accordingly.

There are always online social justice warriors, who hop on the nearest 'woke' wagon as it rolls out.

From that vantage point they can look down on the rest of us, who are bumbling about, trying to do the right thing.

Please don't lost heart. For all the venom that's spewed online, real life is still filled with kindness and good will. Those who generate unpleasantness behind their computer screens would never dare to do so out loud and in front of others.

sparklingsilver28 - I had a family member who got very "offended" if someone didn't agree with their point of view so I know all about people reacting in that way. Unfortunately the result was that instead of discussing the subject raised originally they would launch into personal attacks instead.

I am all for robust discussions and vigorous challenges but as you know, whilst we're on Gransnet these have to follow their Talk Guidelines. The guidelines make clear that posts which contain personal attacks will be removed.

If the person to whom your words were directed, or if anyone else who read them, found them hurtful, insulting and amounting to a personal attack, they had the right to report your post.

GNHQ do not delete every post reported to them but they have in this case. This shows that they must have agreed that your post was hurtful, insulting and a personal attack even if you think it was appropriate, proportionate and not in the least insulting.

Good post Ramblingrose. Well reasoned. Calm.
No “touchiness “ there !

Well I’m not a younger person I’m 66 and can assure you that I won’t be taking a vaccine that has been rushed through in months , when vaccines take between 5/10 years to be safe ,all you people on here need to do some research into agenda 21/30 , it’s scary what they’ve got install for you , believe it or not, they are culling the aged, it’s called depopulation

Ridds66 I think you're on the wrong thread. Although the whole of Gransnet seems to be going a bit weird tonight.....

Ramblingrose22 Reasonable is fine to a point. The difficulty comes with the twee approach. In my world expected to toughen up and put forward a convincing point of view. But therein the difference.

Tee time I went to my local Sainsburys today, around midday, and there were a lot of empty shelves, especially in the bread and greengrocery areas. I didn’t notice anyone with multiple amount of anything though.

sparklingsilver28

Ramblingrose22 Reasonable is fine to a point. The difficulty comes with the twee approach. In my world expected to toughen up and put forward a convincing point of view. But therein the difference.

Which twee approach ?

Blossoming, I disagree with your ' It’s so sad watching how selfish people have become.'

The way I see it, people are basically always very selfish - it's just more obvious right now.

Psychology reveals that we are all motivated by self interest, even with seemingly kind, helpful acts, there's a selfish reward. We can cultivate a good self image - and encourage others to help us in return. We value cooperation as a survival tactic.

Under stressful, uncertain and threatening circumstances (like now) though, our surface veneer can quickly fade, and our true nature become more apparent.

The virus does seem to have divided the nation or is it just highlighting how we have become? Some who are caring and want to help those less fortunate and those who just want to grab everything for themselves with no concern for others. I must admit that I have seem some people (family included!!!) in a different light.

Blossoming, I disagree

Now there’s a surprise!

This may be how you function Hetty but you most certainly don’t speak for me! How patronising!