I hope that......

SorryJ08 you're out of line here. I've been targeted and upset by a troll in the past!

So have I - just over a year ago, which resulted in me changing my username.

What makes you think there are none here, J08. Do you really believe that every single poster on these threads is exactly what they pretend to be? Surely you are not that naive? There have been several instances of obvious trolling, and several more where there was/is a strong whiff of the troll about the post. They don't always reveal themselves at once, they post just like you or me, but eventually they can't resist showing just what they can do.

when same here. I think it was the same troll.

I have been targeted, but I don't think they were trolls - just bullies who tried to force me off the forum by conspiring together to make negative comments about every post I made, however innocuous. I was told by one of them that I should 'look to myself' which is a novel approach to bullying - blame the victim! I'm still here!
And of course I have recently been subject to idiotic accusations - but, again, not by a troll.

I have been targeted myself, in the past. Or at least felt as though I was being. It's easy to get paranoid about things like that on a forum.

If I was paranoid, so were my many friends who commented on it!

Pedantically, I should have said 'If I were....' but I am not going to comment on grammar, even my own .

I didn't say you were paranoid, Greatnan, not did I mean to imply it. I was talking about myself in the main, although you're right, other people do notice these things and can be very supportive.

Golly oh gosh jane that certainly was food for thought , it is a big old world in cyberspace , and IMO has to be trodden carefully.

I am inclined to agree with jo8 16.33.

greatnan , I believe you are being a bit paranoic here , on-one as far as I can see is conspiring against you , it is all in your mind . Who by the by told you "TO look to yourself" , I did not see that .

It was deleted I think

Interesting article jane thanks for posting it.

Trip trap trip trap, who is that commenting on the thread?

It is good to remember that the troll got his come-uppance in the story!

Trolls are all over forums and GN will not be exempt. On line targeting /bullying also exists on all kinds of forum. I am not paranoid but anyone with an ounce of awareness can see when some posters buddy up and always respond in a very similar way to particular posters. It is irritating as it often detracts from the original discussion!

Fortunately most GNers are friendly and just want an interesting on line social life to while a way a few spare minutes!

I don't know about these "trolls" you lot seem to have experienced! Perhaps I've been lucky. But that isn't what this thread was meant to be about.

It's about fairly innocuous posts being deleted, as, I think, has been happening in the last day or two.

Apologies to anyone concerned.

I will (endeavour) to say no more.

On this subject, that is.

Cheers Galen X

nonu I feel your comment 'it's all in your mind' in response to another poster's comment could be construed as a type of bullying.

Not accepting how a person feels when comments are made about them is not very empathetic.

Anyone is free to say they would not react in the same way or that they do not understand a particular response but another person cannot know what another person is feeling..particularly on a forum when we do not really know one another.

nanaej , may I enquire whether you "buddy up" or should I mind my own beeswax?

Having spent many years on different expat forums, I can say that Gransnet is a haven of kindness, interest, and fun compared to most forums! I have made many great friends and had the pleasure of meeting several members. Long may it continue, and we will spot the trolls and see them off - eventually!
I do not wish to be sexist, but the truth is that some of the most vicious 'fights' I have seen on forums have been between the men!

I have me a few GNers at 2 get togethers. One in the NE and one in Surrey.

My views are entirely my own though they will co-incide occasionally with other posters. I am used to being a minority!

I am my own man/woman/person!

Determined trolls can become apparent after a few posts but some are more subtle at being difficult. As that article suggests if the trolling type of behaviour becomes suspected or apparent ignoring it totally is the best plan.

The idea of a moderator "muting" or bonzo-ing the offender (so no one else can see their post but themselves) rather amuses me.

I used to work in a situation where we would get a number of phone callers who would behave in a difficult and troll like manner. Just being persistently awkward and argumentative. That was definitely attention seeking behaviour.
I did notice that some others in the office found it a lot harder to disengage from such difficult callers. It might be me being more intolerant.
"I am sorry Mr/s Bloggs I am going to end this call now" worked nicely."

In 'real life, I am renowned for speaking my own mind, so I don't see why I should be any different here!

Galen, you are one of the most un-troll-like members of this forum!

"I am my own man/woman/person!"

Galen are you sure you don't know which?!

Me too Galen