Troll hunting and thread deletions

Dorsetcupcake what a positive post.
However, may I suggest that you read all of the thread, however tedious it may seem. It might give you a better insight, as to why some of us felt the need to contact GN and why GNHQ have become involved.

I m sorry but I don’t believe this is anything to do with Covid or lockdown it crops up every now and then and then settles down again
We have a little splurge of rubbish posts then things go back to normal apart from the deleted threads and about three posters everyone else comes across normal and lovely 90%of the time

merlotgran

Sooty and Sweep are trolls?

Who knew?

Best post of the day merlotgran!!
??

One GN has been in touch with me and she has left- not entirely over this spat but she went quietly and gracefully not wanting to make a song and dance about it.

That's sad, Charleygirl
Whoever the poster was, it sounds as if she was someone who would have been an asset to GN.

Maybe she'll come back. Things do tend to calm down after a while.

Dorsetcupcake

I think this is more than posters becoming tetchy and disagreeing; somehow some new posters have upset the applecart somewhat.
To put it mildly.

Some new posters or one with more than one account

"some new posters have upset the applecart somewhat"

I do agree that there seems to have been a significant increase in unnecessarily unkind, harsh posting , provocative links and unpleasant thread derailing over the last 18 months or so I think. I know of posters who have given up and left. It's a pity

Oh, not more, Madgran!

Some new posters or one with more than one account

And at the end of it all; I just don't get the point of doing that! Why? What purpose does it serve? To have a conversation with yourself on line? You might as well sit and chat to yourself in the bathroom mirror!

At least you can get a sensible answer, Chewbacca!

I'm not sure it's necessary to leave. There have been times in the past when I've been a bit fed up with the way some threads are going so I've just backed off for a bit.

Leaving means you have to register again if you want to come back and that means a new user name.

Can't see the point.

Not always these day Callistemon!

Apologies, have read the couple of pages I missed ,I think initially I was just a bit confused trying to work out what happened. Abusive PMs horrible. As for members who deliberately have different identities I have been on the receiving end of that by someone who was incredibly good at it in the end it was so disconcerting I left that particular site. They were very clever,but sometimes a particular style comes through.
I'm sure there are many reasons why people do it. For some it's a fantasy land where they can be someone they are not in real life. Others I think are just unpleasant people who in real world would delight in spreading malicious gossip or in another era write poison pen letters.
A timely reminder to be wary of online privacy. On the site I left one lady thought she had been reasonably careful but a follower had managed to gather enough clues to send her flowers! Quite easy to do if someone is determined enough and the "victim" has enough of a social media /internet presence but minimum privacy settings☹

sometimes a particular style comes through

Yes I think that is true!

Dorsetcupcake I have seen the flower giving a couple of times and I find that a tad scary.

Callistemon I am in touch with the person who left and maybe after a break she may rejoin.

The 2-3 times I have been hurt personally I stay away from certain posts but I have never considered leaving. I would be giving in and that is what some people may want.

The Internet is a weird and wonderful place lol

Callistemon I am in touch with the person who left and maybe after a break she may rejoin.

That's good, Charleygirl.

Perhaps taking a breather is a good idea!

Charleygirl5 she was very shaken by it. It was a decade ago and I think now there is much more awareness of internet safety,and not just for childeren.
Yes if someone is offhand with me I tend to just step back. It can be hurtful but sometimes you just have to take the view you cant agree with everyone. Like others have mentioned it is concerning for some posters who come here for help and support. Thankfully there always seem to be gransnetters who step in so to speak when someone is being unpleasant. ?

What has saddened me, and yes, irritated, is when (often) new members seem to set out to cause division - either in a passive/aggressive way so that nothing they actually say seems that bad, but the effect it has on the site dynamic becomes unbalanced. And the less subtle, aggressive, hostile type who clearly cares little for the feelings of others. I don’t mean that to sound cliquey but if you join a group you don’t do a “Meghan” and put backs up from the word go, being critical and expecting everybody to see things from your point of view, do you?
There is often a pattern as others have noticed and after a bit, things settle down a bit, but feelings get trampled in the process and there are frequently casualties. You learn who your friends are and who to perhaps avoid in the future.

Thankfully there always seem to be gransnetters who step in so to speak when someone is being unpleasant. ?

Yes Dorset I've seen that happen several times lately too and it's been heartening to see that suddenly, posters step forward and give support; completely unbidden, and it's good to see kindness prevailing.

I'll second that!

I’m relatively new to GN since the start of lockdown and I have to say it’s been a great place to hang out. It’s lifted my spirits on some pretty bleak days. I’ve been reduced to tears of laughter at times. I don’t post a lot mainly because I’ve not got much interesting to say. I’m sure I’m not the only lurker who appreciates the camaraderie on here.

I can sense a sadness here today amongst many of the usually upbeat regulars and I feel for you. Chin up and carry on.

And please don’t malign Sooty and Sweep too much as I’ve just reconnected with them in recent weeks! I bought the 2 glove puppets during lockdown for my window visits to a dearly loved one in a learning disability unit who’s been in lockdown since March. It’s very difficult to hold his attention through a window and I perform a puppet show with Sooty and Sweep to try to lift his spirits!

Grannynannywanny ??

Sooty is ever so naughty but he's not unkind!