Do you remember wayback when.........

I’m a relatively new member so don’t remember the better times but mostly enjoy reading posts, I only ever reply to posts that interest me but have not yet started a thread. I just take it for what it is, I’ve found most of the threads I’ve joined in on have been quite positive. Even amongst a group of friends you get people who occasionally irritate with their opinions, overall I’m enjoying the app. I’m sitting in the garden with a coffee now just having a quick scroll.

No, I’ve only been here for around 3 or 4 years and I’m still feeling like a newbie in many respects. Gransnet was a lifeline during lockdowns and a comfort during illness. I have found a home in Mick’s Good Morning thread and Soop’s Kitchen. I read many threads, I comment on a few and I love the variety.

As you say boheminan "it's still swings 'n' roundabouts".

I’ve been here for about 10 years, I don’t really think it’s changed much. I don’t often post usually because what I was going to say, has already been said, or the post doesn’t interest me.
Gransnet is a cross section of society, there will always be people with differing points of view and experiences of life. I don’t think it’s necessary to rudely put people down for their opinions, but reasoned comment might encourage a different point of view.
I must say reading a recent thread replaced reading my current book! It could have been a book in itself!

Ps I think I was feeling vulnerable when I first joined, having lost someone dear to me, and I thought GN would fill a gap in my life. It was the wrong time.

boheminan that was my experience too.
I joined many years ago, posted on what I thought was a fairly innocuous discussion thread, I think it was about school lunches ?, and got jumped on and shredded by one poster who then proceeded to do so on other threads and I left. However, I gave myself a talking to, told myself not to be daft, I don't know these people and not to take any of it seriously and then rejoined.

I think it’s good that some on GN choose to meet up in RL, but it’s not something I want to do.

Am quite happy to just read and post, and have a mental picture of what others look like. Probably nothing like I imagine.

People just need to remind themselves that there are real people with real feelings and problems behind those names on the screen. Some posters seem to forget that and it can lead to some unedifying behaviour.

I have been around for some time, joined when I wintered in Asia and was a way of keeping in touch. There were more light hearted moments and laughter but there was also a lot of catty remarks I just remember being horrified at some of the remarks

TerriBull

I joined a couple of weeks after it was set up, yes I agree with others there was always a certain amount of sword crossing, I think that's kind of inevitable really.

I could have written that post except I think that the sword crossing is nastier and, because GN is busier, there are more people doing it.

When I first started I nearly left in the first month because it was, bluntly, nasty. I think it is far better now . We all see things from a different angle, don’t we?

I have been here for six years I have noticed a few members have gone to other sites or have disappeared because of issues with other posters. Of course we have lost members sadly because of illness and death who will be remembered fondly.
Sometimes a thread is overtaken or side tracked by posters and the subject matter is lost through banter. But overall this site can be a lifeline for those in need of advice and support. It has to be said overall most members are reliable and give good advice to those who are troubled.

Maw there are a few of us that meet up regularly in S E Essex, and I have what would have been described in my youth as a pen friend we would love to meet up but we are opposite ends of the U.K.

I wonder if there are as many meet ups as a few years ago?
I remember meeting Galen , Hellogirl , and many others some no longer with us at a Midlands meet up in Birmingham about 8 or so years ago, and Kittylester, Specki4eyes and Crimson at East Midlands Airport and a large lovely chatty group (you know who you are)at Zizzi in Market Harborough.
Are people too busy? Did the pandemic put us off picking up again or (as I felt not so long ago) did anybody else hesitate because they were unsure about the reception they might get?
Bottom line- are we as friendly?

I agree with DanniRae?

annsixty

I still miss Frank.
I wonder if he is still collecting his London pension.

And his little dog Andy!

I still miss Frank.
I wonder if he is still collecting his London pension.

I’ve been on here a long time too and back in the day GN had more than its fair share of maulers and brawlers, but it was certainly a lot more fun. It is certainly more heavily policed by GNHQ now.

I’ve also been here since the beginning and I also get a bit tired of all the Games threads now.
I would also not post on the Politics thread because of all the really aggressive tone.

There's probably more reporting because There's more hurtful or abusive posting.

I,'m with you merlot. One didn't need to tresd carefully on any thread. Xx

One thing that wasn’t necessary in the early days of Gransnet was to state in the OP whether or not a thread was intended to be light hearted. There is also more reporting, preaching and general bossiness now.

I’m probably going against the grain but I felt more at home in those days.

Me too.
I'm glad I wasn't here way back when.

I also agree with Dannirae

what proportion of the people reaing the feeds use them ?

Obviously quite a lot! You can always hide threads that you don't want to see.