My very first thread on gn was ages ago and...

This is only my own opinuion and going by my own experiences.
I think there is less camaraderie now. If you appear to be friendly with some posters, you can be classed as part of a clique.
It may be just that you know them well from being on the same threads or being at meet ups. I have been party to info about things going on behind the scenes, but due to GN guidelines, you have to keep stumm. That's when people get the wrong end of the stick and pile on.
The best way for me is to stick to the gentler threads and try to stay out of trouble. It doesnt always work.

There were always argumentative threads and posters that I tended to avoid. However, there were also practical helpful threads as we have now. eg I've had great suggestions as to good books, soup maker, and hoover. Lots of kind help and support over my first knee replacement was much appreciated. I suppose GN is what you make it. If there's not a thread you're interested in then start one?

I'm sorry some of you say GN isn't as much fun as it used to be, especially as I consider you are the core members who hold the site together. The fact that you have known "all types" must mean that you have a good idea of what works and what doesn't.
Does it depend on the time of signing up to GN and the prevailing climate? I started joining in around the onset of covid. I had never been on SM media before, and GN was my first plunge onto a forum of any sort. The thing is, I naively assumed from reading the majority of posts, that one was meant to be argumentative and rude, because that's how the site came across at the time. You're right, there was very little light hearted stuff, and it was all about reporting and deleted posts, banned contributors and pile ons. I thought that was what happened, and must admit that on one or two occasions I fell into the trap of what I thought was the done thing to do ie. to report posts. Several newbies did leave at that time, not because there were cliques but because it was all rather bemusing.

What I am trying to ask badly is, did maybe those of you who joined during happier times meet with a different type of audience and did this change due to outside forces?

I had a mother in law who did that but was very young when I got married, she has been an ex for many years now. She also carried on intimidating the next wife, but I can honestly say as I’ve got older I do stand up for myself and have no problem dealing with unpleasant people, apparently my friends comment that I have some good one liners! 🤣

Staceyann the Doghouse was a few of us who were kicked out of GNHQ at the same time and we got together online a few times to share our sorrows and at that time we did wonder if we would ever be allowed to return. I was given a last warning and it was never removed. GNHQ are worse than a court of law and not as fair. Perhaps I should pack my bags now after that rant!

He's your DH (or so we all thought)

Perhaps he only scrubs up like that when he's out out!
Keep an eye on him 😁

Who is that man? I'm now wondering who this man is, siitting beside.
He has no vest on, but I thought it was because it is ^ taps aff^ weather in Glasgow. 🤣

I must say he scrubs up ok when you take charge, *Marydoll.

Callistemon21

Marydoll

Remember!

I won though!

He's snoring away gently in his favourite chair now, having partaken of half a bottle of rum! 😂

Just be thankful you have Rab C. Nesbitt. Marydoll

I think I got the better bargain. 🤣

Marydoll

Remember!

I won though!

He's snoring away gently in his favourite chair now, having partaken of half a bottle of rum! 😂

Just be thankful you have Rab C. Nesbitt. Marydoll

I miss Lemongrove - loved her parties. GN isn’t fun these days.

Remember!

Callistemon21

DanniRae

I think it was lemongrove who used to have the crazy virtual parties where all sorts used to go on. I am so boring and never did anything crazy in real life but joining in with a lemongrove party was amazing
Does anyone else remember them?

Yes, I usually was left cleaning up all your mess 😲 but the Admiral sometimes helped me

If you remeber Calli, the Admiral was mine and I was prepared to fight you for him.

TopsyIrene06, we were so glad to meet you and still are!

Foxygloves

Marion48

kittylester

Didn't we have some good parties in the early days?

Why did they stop. I suppose it was lockdown!!

The ‘good old days, eh’? I seem to recall a lot of unpleasantness, and much gathering in cliques…… There are many very nice members who are no longer posting, because they weren’t in with the in crowd….

I don’t remember you from “back then” Marion48
Perhaps you are a returner under another name.
If so, welcome back

Thank you Foxygloves, how kind of you. You yourself had a previous different name I believe?

I don't recognise that there are 'cliques' but I think merlot makes a good point about mountains and molehills.

Marion48

kittylester

Didn't we have some good parties in the early days?

Why did they stop. I suppose it was lockdown!!

The ‘good old days, eh’? I seem to recall a lot of unpleasantness, and much gathering in cliques…… There are many very nice members who are no longer posting, because they weren’t in with the in crowd….

I don’t remember you from “back then” Marion48
Perhaps you are a returner under another name.
If so, welcome back

I received enormous help and such kindness when I had a devastating diagnosis in 2020 and had to wait 6 or so months for medical rescue due to lockdown.

I have met with some lovely ladies at the Glasgow meet up, much needed as I was a new inhabitant having left my home city of many years (Norwich) in 2011 and boy, can it be lonely.

Harrigran was particularly helpful during and after the op and I will never forget it. Thank you all.

The ‘good old days, eh’? I seem to recall a lot of unpleasantness, and much gathering in cliques…… There are many very nice members who are no longer posting, because they weren’t in with the in crowd

I can’t remember my first post but I do remember joining in an argument although I can’t remember what it was about. I made a comment to a poster who took it to be a personal attack. I apologised, she accepted and we all moved on.

Far to many mountains are made out of molehills these days.

DanniRae

I think it was lemongrove who used to have the crazy virtual parties where all sorts used to go on. I am so boring and never did anything crazy in real life but joining in with a lemongrove party was amazing
Does anyone else remember them?

Yes, I usually was left cleaning up all your mess 😲 but the Admiral sometimes helped me

Aveline

I remember the GN conference held at the Overseas club in Edinburgh. Elegant and Baggs had us all extracting the DNA of strawberries! I still use my GN biros from the party bag given out that day. It wasn't the first conference either.

Using my pen today!

I was subjected to unpleasantness, but the good times and decent posters far outweighed that.
I lways find it interesting to read all the different perspectives on here.

I think it was lemongrove who used to have the crazy virtual parties where all sorts used to go on. I am so boring and never did anything crazy in real life but joining in with a lemongrove party was amazing
Does anyone else remember them?

kittylester

Didn't we have some good parties in the early days?

Why did they stop. I suppose it was lockdown!!

The ‘good old days, eh’? I seem to recall a lot of unpleasantness, and much gathering in cliques…… There are many very nice members who are no longer posting, because they weren’t in with the in crowd….

Sorry about yours, Bertha.

Ours took the hump!! Cutting off your nose to spite your face springs to mind. Idiot indeed!!!!.