Are you too scared to post what you really think?

Just think about the way you say it.
I try to do that.

I have nevertheless been misinterpreted on here- but I always explain/apologise as I would do in real life. I hope that is enough. I would never deliberately say anything to just be hurtful.

I don't think people are now hostile towards me.
Fingers crossed anyone upset would say so.

I’m too polite to tell some idiots where to go , but generally not afraid !

It’s just like real life, we think it but don’t say it.

There are some posters I really do not want to interact with as they are rude and opinionated.

There are also posters who I will not contribute to their threads as I think they are trouble makers.

I have occasionally let rip but only when I’m really cross!

Before I type I just think, would yip say it if you were sitting having a face to face chat, if it’s a no then I don’t type.

Great question by the way!

No. 🤣🤣 I have always been quite direct and I like it in other people too.

I do know there are a lot of ladies on GN who are scared to speak their mind on here because I regularly get private messages saying “ I feel exactly the same as you but dare not post how I feel in case I get targeted or abused or accused of being something I’m not. Please keep posting.”

Even more sad are those who say “I used to post on here a lot but there are some real bullies on here who pick over every word I say and because they disagree with me make really spiteful comments. Now I never post because of them”.

I think most GNs are not scared of posting what they think/feel/belief and most of us do it in a balanced and respectful way and most of us understand that we are different, with differing life experiences which often shape our beliefs and moral compass.

Within most topics there is no right or wrong and everyone has the right to air their views.

I’ve noticed that the only times other OPs get rattled or annoyed or irritated us when, as does sometimes happen, someone else posts something that is frankly ridiculous or blatantly and evidenced untruths.

Or, like me, don’t read through what they post and continual typos (me!)

I don’t think anyone can go through life without offending someone, whether deliberately or unintentionally.
On one hand, I think you should feel able to post something you may feel to be contentious, but perhaps be prepared for an onslaught of counter opinions.

There have been spats on GN in the past and no doubt more to come, but as ‘we’ are largely unknown to each other, it doesn’t matter what you want to post.
Try it and see?

It’s not just on GN , I’m wary of posting on social media full stop, whether it’s Facebook groups , Twitter , or groups likeNextdoor . People can be downright rude and nasty if you don’t agree with them.

I post quite often, but if my views are obviously not what the majority think, then I tend to keep them to myself. Probably on the political threads or on certain issues where I think my ideas are out of touch.

I don’t believe in sending PM’s. If I see someone posting my thoughts on a contentious subject, I will endorse them with a ‘hear hear’ or 👏

Yes, quite often.
Probably right to think that way too. A few days ago a post of mine was reported and deleted. Nothing controversial, contentious or nasty and some other posters seemed to agree with me.

I think some misunderstanding online wouldn't happen in conversation as you can pick up on body langauge.

It is not necessary to be either rude or cruel when disagreeing with another poster. Sometimes it's difficult not to be, especially when a person has just put forward an opinion without any supporting evidence. A bit like flat earthers.

No I am certainly not frightened of posting what I think. Sometimes I’m proved to be wrong, and if necessary I will apologise.

I do not out of respect become personal - no point as I’ve then lost the argument. I therefore hope that being aware that I will never become personal, someone with opposing views can air their views knowing that the debate will stay at that level and never degenerate into a ridiculous free for all.

I would be scared to post an opinion that was racist, anti-semetic, homophobic, xenophobic etc, because it is against the law, and I would feel much less as a person.

Whitewavemark2

No I am certainly not frightened of posting what I think. Sometimes I’m proved to be wrong, and if necessary I will apologise.

I do not out of respect become personal - no point as I’ve then lost the argument. I therefore hope that being aware that I will never become personal, someone with opposing views can air their views knowing that the debate will stay at that level and never degenerate into a ridiculous free for all.

I would be scared to post an opinion that was racist, anti-semetic, homophobic, xenophobic etc, because it is against the law, and I would feel much less as a person.

Like myself, I cannot imagine many here posting things of that nature, especially you, not because we are scared but because we are not racist, or any of those other things.

No I'm not afraid to speak my mind. My opinion is just as valid as any other posters.

It took me a long time to learn to stick up for myself in RL but I do now. Becoming a mother made me confident so that I could do the best for my child. Having six did that six times over.

Having said that I would never be rude to anyone. But if someone comes over as schoolmarmish or tries to belittle my opinions they might get 'both barrels'.

I enjoy reading everyone's opinions. Sometimes I join in but no one on here scares me.

I think it depends on the thread topics. I’m always forthright on news and politics threads, there are a lot of people with strong views on them and you have to be prepared to stand your ground - but that’s just the nature of the beast, in conversation as well as online, it’s not personal but about the topic being discussed. I can understand the more sensitive find them challenging though because if you aren’t well informed you get a tough ride (although nothing like as tough as you’d get on Mumsnet).
I steer clear of estrangement, gender and royal threads, which seem to be where there is most personal conflict, and it’s a lot less stressful not to get involved at all.

Sometimes yes. But generally if a post is taken over by a few or if it gets a tad nasty, I just withdraw.

I steer clear of estrangement, gender and royal threads, which seem to be where there is most personal conflict, and it’s a lot less stressful not to get involved at all

And me! I am astounded at some comments that people direct at others. It is dreadful, particularly as they have no idea of that persons background or mental state. It really is appalling.

"I would be scared to post an opinion that was racist, anti-semetic, homophobic, xenophobic etc, because it is against the law, and I would feel much less as a person."

That's an interesting comment Whitewavemark2. I hope I'm correct in assuming that it's maybe a bit badly worded?

It reads as if you DO have opinions that are racist, or anti semitic etc but you're scared to post them because it's illegal and you know it would show you in a bad light.

I sometimes post a response without due thought because I am annoyed. I have tried to curb this reaction.
I do agree that sometimes posts are misread or misunderstood, no cues that we get when speaking face to face.

Sometimes I disagree with a poster but choose not to say so, though not because I am scared. I try to post positively, not negatively.

I’m not scared to say what I think, but there are times when if I said what I really think, I would be banned. Sometimes language has to be tempered!

Germanshepherdsmum

I’m not scared to say what I think, but there are times when if I said what I really think, I would be banned. Sometimes language has to be tempered!

I look forward to reading your posts Germanshepherdsmum😉

I'm with you GSM. If I posted what I really think I would be banned too.