OK, it's probably been said before, BUT..

Quite, phoenix!!

It has been said before but unfortunately doesn't seem to have made much difference.

As you have of course been here since the very beginning, Phoenix, you must know how heated and indeed even nasty threads could get in the early days.

I'm not sure why GN should suddenly turn into a Vicar's tea-party...

well Anna , there are places to get heated and places to just enjoy a bit of lighted hearted banter

I agree with Ana. If we were all just 'nice' GN would soon finish.
I like it as it is and if some threads get heated then don't read them.

But we are entitled to get angry at those who would deliberately spill boiling tea on the vicar.

If the threads are heated because of differences of opinion, that is fair enough, but not if someone is spiteful in a non-controversial discussion because that is what they enjoy.

Isn't that why gransnet cafe was started?
Non-confrontational?

Good to know we have permission to be contentious on the politics threads.

Yes, Ana, of course you are right about threads getting heated or even nasty (and have completely taken on board your reference to my practically prehistoric membership,although not entirely sure of it's relevance in this context).

No way should GN turn into a Vicar's tea party, and not entirely sure why you think that's what I meant, definitely would rather have a bit of cut and thrust, than than a crust off cucumber sandwich any day, just meant that on some threads, some posts, comments or remarks seem to be personal attacks, rather than any form of debate or argument (argument as opposed to row!)

Argue the point/opinion not the person. Don't nit pick or refer back to something a poster said 3 months ago! Simples!

Blimey phoenix, so sorry if I've annoyed you!

Oh Durhamjen, I didn't mean to imply "permission", perhaps my post was clumsily constructed!

Elegran, 2 well put posts, (I thought so, anyway) love the "spilling tea on the vicar" bit!

Not bother Ana, I can't stand cucumber anyway

(Now dons tin helmet and takes up defensive position under the kitchen table to await the well drilled troops of the pro cucumber militia)

It has been said before a lot. It doesn't make a blind bit of difference so I wonder why it is said.

I like the bits about the vicar. Ouch! That could be painful!

And I rather like a cucumber sandwich once in a while though I can, and do, go years without eating cucumber. The best I ever ate was some from my neighbour's greenhouse. I was watering stuff while she was away and she said help yourself. That sort of cucumber I would eat more often but most of the stuff from shops is tasteless.

Has anyone tried coconut oil or coconut cream in green tea? It's supposed to effect an improvement.

thatbags improvemnet on the tea or on the quality of debate/postings?

We are a giant melting pot of people. Why would we all think the same?

We are not robots. We are not all in the same financial situation. We do not live the same lives , some of us are retired, others are not, some have grandchildren, others might not, some support one political party, others support a different one and some none at all. We are Christians, non Christians, vegans, veggies, straight, gay or crikey knows (or cares) what's else.

Why would there not be a difference if opinion?

As long as we all respect each other. all around.

gillybob I have no problem with a difference of opinion, bring it on, in fact reading other people's people's opinion on here has given much food for thought and has on occasion made me totally re think some things, but personal sniping is another matter.

There will always be some posters who regularly do personal sniping. They enjoy it - especially if they themselves think they were got at on some thread or other. Some posters have very long memories. And cant stand being patronised.

I agree with Ana. If we were all just 'nice' GN would soon finish.
I like it as it is and if some threads get heated then don't read them.
I don't think phoenix said that though Margaret
I read the OP as saying that some threads do get heated and contentious, that is to be expected on politics etc, but that others are supposed to be lighthearted, a bit of fun to brighten our day, and that sometimes someone may come on and start being rather contentious on those for no reason whatsoever.

Did I miss something? I didn't spot anything angry yet, perhaps I am just oblivious

Spot on Jalima, a recent thread was a good example of this, hence this one!

Which thread was that, then,phoenix?

Durham, just a bit of nonsense started on 9th, under "Ask a Gran", having deliberately avoided AIBU

Elegran - good posts as usual.