Yes, my feelings are as Joseanne describes.
My first thought was that it was, as Joseanne says, about someone’s country of residence being ‘exposed’, which seemed more like a dig at the poster who, seemingly innocently, mentioned it in passing. Then it all got a bit strange as the accusations of bullying started, and I assumed it must be something far more interesting. Then it got frustrating as there were dark ‘you know who you are’ hints, and threatening posts about people being banned, and I had no idea that was going on, having discounted my first theory. The thread was made into one about bullying instead of being about betrayals of confidence.
The thing is, if vague and unsubstantiated accusations are made about Some People, posters are damned if they respond and stand accused if they don’t. ‘If the cap fits’ causes innocent people to feel guilty and doesn’t allow the accused to defend themselves - it’s a witch-hunt, and bullying behaviour in itself. It is also very annoying when people set themselves above the rest of us like self-appointed thread police with the authority to tell us what and how to post.
Then it turns out that there was no bullying at all, but even then, those with the finger pointed at them get no apology - just an ‘I know your sort - you will be at it again soon’ sort of comment. So a verdict of ‘Not Proven’, but no vindication (even though the OP had said there was no case to answer), and attempts to close down the thread with no right of reply from the accused (whoever they are).
So yes, a strange and unedifying thread. I do think that if bullying or nastiness occurs people should call it out, but the Some People thing is a pet hate of mine, and it’s often bullying in itself.
