I know what has happened to GN

Maremia

So far, so lovely with these memories.
You made some funny posts Marydoll, about going round a city re-enacting scenes from, was it, the Da Vince Code?

It was! I cant believe you remembered that!
We made a video of our version. It was hilarious.
At one point we were so getting so annoyed at the inaccuracies, that we had to remind ourselves it was fiction.😂
I miss those days!!

LucyAnna5

I’m always surprised when people say they ‘cried with laughter’ at some threads. I used to smile or maybe even chuckle a bit at some of the threads mentioned, but - seriously - crying? I guess humour is a very personal thing.

I can assure you, I was crying with laughter, something I don't do very often.

I have a distinct memory of a group of dreadful contributors when I first started. I very nearly left for good. They were vile, critical, sarcastic and judgemental. Never seen anything like that before or since. Thankfully they all left at the same time and flew off on their broomsticks. There are some here I totally disagree with but they are not nasty in that way and likely in real life we might even become friends because I tend to like strong minded women.

nanna8 😂

"Flew off on their broomsticks."
nanna8 😆

Why did the Argy Bargy finish?

I am sorry Lucy A but as I read R & M's post from Phoenix, I was howling with laughter, tears rolling, to the extent that the dogs awoke from their slumbers, wondering what on earth was going on! There are also serious and informative threads but I wonder if "cancel culture" has made everyone genuinely afraid to say what they are thinking?

dalrymple23

I am sorry Lucy A but as I read R & M's post from Phoenix, I was howling with laughter, tears rolling, to the extent that the dogs awoke from their slumbers, wondering what on earth was going on! There are also serious and informative threads but I wonder if "cancel culture" has made everyone genuinely afraid to say what they are thinking?

I’m not critical of someone else’s reaction to the threads mentioned - they just didn’t affect me that way. Please don’t think I was being offensive. I have - as do our family as a whole - a good sense of humour, and we have witty and funny family WhatsApps, but different things make people smile, laugh, guffaw and, apparently, cry with laughter. Enjoy!

Retroladywriting

Why did the Argy Bargy finish?

The Argy struggled after some posters left or turned to other things, but the rot had set in when it was being castigated on a nightly basis for misogyny, obscenity, no doubt frivolity and possibly the amusement factor by an (on his own admission) elderly poster who preferred to encourage us to write a story about unicorns in somewhat archaic French using the Past Historic tense.
Oddly, the idea didn’t really take off, possibly because he didn’t understand it in the first place.
He claimed misogyny and discrimination and at one point I was warned off by HQ and “forbidden to post on any thread” featuring this poster. I kid you not.
No fun any more- is it any wonder?

this thread that has made me lol and , thanks to gg13 for posting the curse of phoenix. I enjoyed the virtual parties, the excess of virtual alcohol and genuine easy fun.

I remenber chewbacca with real affection. I expect others who were on gransnet at the time also remember that she and another kind poster were bullied and hounded. Chewi left as a result. Sorry for reminding us bad stuff happened as well

nanna8

I have a distinct memory of a group of dreadful contributors when I first started. I very nearly left for good. They were vile, critical, sarcastic and judgemental. Never seen anything like that before or since. Thankfully they all left at the same time and flew off on their broomsticks. There are some here I totally disagree with but they are not nasty in that way and likely in real life we might even become friends because I tend to like strong minded women.

I first joined GN in 2009 and I can remember a few ghastly, unkind contributors. I've left and rejoined several times, these days the site reflects the country and world 'out there' I think.

I avoid all the political commentary these days because it's become so mealy mouthed and outright back biting, nasty and corrupt. As regards how life feels, people in the neighbourhood seem to have shut themselves away since the pandemic and lockdown and few people are willing to chat.

This morning in the local Co-op I fell into conversation with the woman behind who had a mobility scooter which was just like a three-wheel motorbike. I couldn't help admiring it and she started telling me how she had COPD and how she had been in hospital at Christmas and nearly died and how she was so grateful for the mobility scooter. The people behind and the cashiers all remained glum, silent and looking down. It's not what happens anywhere else I've been in the world. Why are people in the UK so miserable.

I know they were a bit niche, but there were a couple of threads on an imaginary cruise that had a lot of posters "mucking in."
I remember the hallway thread and the cushion one. Oh yes, and the lovely bridal gowns.
And pages of arguing about who was Queen Bee on GN!
And a thread about Naff stuff that started with matching pj's I think?
I was post Phoenix days. She sounds fun.
Chewbacca and Lemongrove were funny too, and kind when I arrived, but I sensed one poster was out to get them every time.

I first joined GN in 2009 and I can remember a few ghastly, unkind contributors. I've left and rejoined several times, these days the site reflects the country and world 'out there' I think.

Actually -quoting from Gransnet itself
Gransnet is the busiest social networking site for the over 50s. Launched in May 2011 , the site has been described by the Telegraph as "a new dawn in grey power ".
At its heart is a buzzing forum where users debate the hot topics of the day, support each other through tough times and share a laugh

Which was when I first heard about it and joined as a very new Granny.

why are people in the UK so miserable
It’s a good question as we do hear so many outraged folks on radio phone ins or sometimes just in general.
I’m a real believer in the power of positive thinking and the counting of blessings. Life does throw tough stuff our way, I’m not suggesting we deny our feelings when in happened but we have choices about the way we respond or manage

I’m lucky, I have family and friends who approach life similarly.

RosieandherMaw

Retroladywriting

Why did the Argy Bargy finish?

The Argy struggled after some posters left or turned to other things, but the rot had set in when it was being castigated on a nightly basis for misogyny, obscenity, no doubt frivolity and possibly the amusement factor by an (on his own admission) elderly poster who preferred to encourage us to write a story about unicorns in somewhat archaic French using the Past Historic tense.
Oddly, the idea didn’t really take off, possibly because he didn’t understand it in the first place.
He claimed misogyny and discrimination and at one point I was warned off by HQ and “forbidden to post on any thread” featuring this poster. I kid you not.
No fun any more- is it any wonder?

Oh yes, I remember him. Didn't he have a rather restricted diet that he was always going on about, and an obsession with Duolingo? Not being able to post on any thread with him in it is a bit odd, Rosie Even if he joined it after you'd posted. There definitely seem to be different rules for different people sometimes.

I miss Chewbacca too, and Fanny. What happened to maddieone?

There was meant to be a question mark after posted. Were you supposed to leave a thread if he showed up, even if you'd been part of it all along?

Doodledog maddyone has been banned

Omg yes, he joined our cruise thread once and really rocked the boat.

www.gransnet.com/forums/style_and_beauty/1262789-Wedding-dresses?pg=3

If anybody wants another look.
A happy, harmless thread 💖💖

Reminiscing about earlier days reminds me that Jingle really made me laugh even though she could be - well naughty is the obvious word. My memory is she’d be banned and reappear with a name close to jingle. I’m sure someone will put me right on that.

Maddyone is OK, but can't be bothered to fight her way to get back on GN with the restrictions that have been imposed.

escaped

Maddyone is OK, but can't be bothered to fight her way to get back on GN with the restrictions that have been imposed.

I do not blame her, I do miss her posts.

maddie was another in the banned cupboard I seem to recall. Imagine FGT, GSM and others in the banned cupboard together. I bet it would be never boring

Both new Grannies at about the same time Maw
December 2011 for me 😊 Have to admit I did a lot of lurking back then!

I think the content of the threads on gransnet reflect the prevailing zeitgeist. The world is more miserable generally with very black and white arguments. Wars are prolific, the cost of living keeps rising astronomically and people are anxious about the future. There seems less give and take and social media doesn't help