Gransnet forums

News & politics

Sorry, but the burka pales to insignificance....

(140 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

j08 Fri 20-Sept-13 15:59:39

...while this is going on

sunseeker Sat 21-Sept-13 11:56:13

I don't like swearing and rarely do it myself, however, I do think it a shame and this thread is concentrating on one word rather than the situation the OP was trying to bring to our attention.

I don't know J08 and wouldn't presume to know her reasoning for using the word she did. We are all adults and have used and heard this word before.

j08 Sat 21-Sept-13 12:00:36

STOP TALKING ABOUT THE FUCKING SWEARWORD! IT'S REALLY NOT THAT IMPORTANT!

j08 Sat 21-Sept-13 12:01:36

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

whenim64 Sat 21-Sept-13 12:06:44

Exactly, Jingle. Thought that would get you back. grin You started a discussion that should have been about the awful situation in a war zone, and an attempt to raise money, but by writing such a provocative title, it got lost. Glad you came back to focus on what the issue is supposed to be about. Didn't need the rant! Peace smile

KatGransnet (GNHQ) Sat 21-Sept-13 12:39:28

Hi there. Upon reflection, we've decided to edit the thread title - not necessarily because of the swearword (as we've said, we do allow swearing and it's not against our guidelines) - but because it has derailed the thread and what this discussion was meant to be about.

Also, as tegan put it, for someone who wears a burka and has no idea the intention behind the thread, it can be read as an insult.

Atqui Sat 21-Sept-13 12:48:09

Copied from Forum guidelines:

General Ps and Qs

We'd appreciate it if you'd use the same courtesy when posting messages on Forums as you would use when speaking to someone face-to-face. Please do bear in mind that life can be horrible sometimes, and it can really help if you have access to some moral support.
Swearwords and offensive language

Some people like swearwords, some don’t. It’s very often possible to find an alternative way of expressing yourself, even if you have something burning to say. We'd appreciate it if users kept to those alternative ways of expressing themselves as much as possible.

j08 Sat 21-Sept-13 12:48:19

I'm not saying anything.

I despair of the new Gransnet.

j08 Sat 21-Sept-13 12:49:35

That last line is just so stupid. You would have to have a very twisted mind to see it that way.

Galen Sat 21-Sept-13 12:51:41

Well said Katgn
I for one do not like the gratuitous usage of obscene language.

Ana Sat 21-Sept-13 12:52:48

Yes, the 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' brigade have won the day!

They must all be feeling very proud of themselves...hmm

Divawithattitude Sat 21-Sept-13 13:11:38

I might not like it myself but I would not dream of trying to force others to accept my viewpoint and be petty minded enough to complain when they don't accept my hectoring.

Well said Ana, Jingle I am sorry that your well meant thread has turned into yet another example of all that is wrong with Gransnet.

petallus Sat 21-Sept-13 13:16:11

Yep!

Galen Sat 21-Sept-13 13:18:22

I would point out that if didn't complain about it and I recognise Jingles right to use the word.
However that does not mean that I have to like, encourage, or approve of this sort of language.

gracesmum Sat 21-Sept-13 13:22:15

What difference to the (presumed) aim and content of the thread has been made by amending the title? The sentiments are the same, the subject is the same, the anger has still been articulated, so how, divawithattitude, has J08's thread turned into "another example of all that is wrong with gransnet"? Would you care to itemise "all" that is "wrong"?

petallus Sat 21-Sept-13 13:23:07

Do we believe in censorship or don't we?

Ceesnan Sat 21-Sept-13 13:23:54

I agree with Diva and Ana.

Riverwalk Sat 21-Sept-13 13:27:19

Kat what an appallingly patronising attitude that someone who wears a burka would only read the title and wouldn't be able to work out what the thread was about!

Divawithattitude Sat 21-Sept-13 13:28:07

Gracesmum, no, I really don't want to get into a slanging match with you over my opinions of what is wrong with Gransnet.

It has all been said before ad nauseum.

Divawithattitude Sat 21-Sept-13 13:32:09

My point was that a well meaning thread on a very serious subject has been derailed (and I accept some of the responsibility for this) by those who have nothing better to do than complain about a swear word being used by an adult to other adults. They may not like it but they do not have the right to try and force their opinions on others to the extent that their opinions colour the way in which people express themselves on this site.

Anniebach Sat 21-Sept-13 13:37:20

Just caught up with this thread, perhaps as a new poster I shouldn't comment but hey ho - if the 'f' word had been used throughout a post I could understand posters being offended but in this case it was used in anger / dispair / helplessness - just once , and I can so understand this . why is the use of a word some disapprove of more important or more upsetting than the deed which caused the poster to 'explode' ?

whenim64 Sat 21-Sept-13 13:48:07

I have no problem with swear words (use them myself), didn't bother reporting, thought GNHQ were wise to revise their opinion about how the title comes across, and often think about the thousands of Gransnetters who don't post and are probably the Silent Majority, not Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells.

Isn't it patronising to dismiss their view, too?

gracesmum Sat 21-Sept-13 13:49:46

I certainly have no desire to instigate a "slanging match" (interesting term, cf. "flyting" = ritual insulting dating back as far as Viking times!) based on the premise that it take 2 to participate. I merely asked what you identified as "wrong" with GN.
Your point about the thread being derailed by comment on the title surely bears out what others have said, i.e. the need to focus on the issue that the thread is about.

Divawithattitude Sat 21-Sept-13 14:00:34

You have missed my point Gracesmum, some find the issue of the word used in the title more worthy of comment that the content itself, they cannot see beyond the word.

Why do they then not just ignore it and go somewhere else on Gransnet where the language is more to their taste, why make a fuss and try and influence Gransnet to become what they want it to become, is there not room for all here, those who use and accept swearing and those who do not?

And as for my use of the term slanging match, I have had many similar discussions here on Gransnet for a long time and in my experience it very often becomes personal. I do not want to derail the thread any further.

Tegan Sat 21-Sept-13 14:06:03

I need to point out that I didn't like the way the 'f' word was used in the title but actually swear like a trooper and therefore don't class myself as a 'Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells' sort of person.

j08 Sat 21-Sept-13 14:20:00

How can we dismiss the view of the silent majority when?! grin

Sorry, but this thread has got ridiculous and should be pulled. The subject matter probably never had much chance on Gransnet anyway.