Are we giving ourselves a bad name?

I agree lynda

Hear, hear!!
The same thought had occurred to me yesterday when I felt too out of steam to post, but just felt like skimming through the threads.
I could not agree more!
So let's start the day with a

You are so right Lynda.
I sometimes wonder if I live in a different world, where the young people I know all work hard, love their families and help each other.
There are lots of discussions that involve serious personal or political situations where we talk about difficult stuff. It's the whinging about the younger generation that really gets to me

Absolutely right!!

I have noticed how so many take delight in finding negativity in so much. It is embarrassing.
Debate is one thing but personal criticism is quite another.

Yes, I was thinking that too. It gives the impression of just a lot of old people complaining! I for one have no problems with the changes taking place on the site. Change is good for us, keeps us on our toes.

Just wish to report that I am having a very nice happy day. I might even get up in a minute!

Indeed in fact I have considered giving up on Granset as its just not stimulating unless of course you enjoy fierce political debate and being told you are an idiot. Lets lighten it up!!

It's not just me then.
There used to be several threads at a time that could make me chuckle.
The argy bargy still does although I don't feel able to contribute I do read.
The fun seems to have abandoned GN

Yes, but let's not make this a moan about what was. We start the threads, it's up to us to be more positive.

I don't think we've stumbled into Moan City I just think that sometimes posts develop negative vibes as they go along and at the moment there are a lot of things going on in the world that are not too jolly.

Some gransnetters are having a difficult time at the moment and not too long ago one of our light hearted posters was given a slapped wrist for trying to lighten the atmosphere.

I was also castigated for suggesting we might 'lighten up' a few months ago.

Some days are happy, some days not so....That's life!

I think there is an adage I heard somewhere about bad news being far more reportable than good news.

If people feel happy they comment on it less than if they feel misersable.
Love from Eeyore

Oh dear! I've just had a moan about the Autumnal weather. BUT the sun's just come out

For those of us , and there are lots, who are not going through the best of times, we really do like a good chuckle and need our days lightening up.
We may not start light hearted threads but I for one enjoy reading them and joining in. Everyday banter does not feature in my life so I enjoy joining in on here.
As the sainted Delia once said ( well something similar) come on lets be 'having you .

But if you do not feel happy for some reason or another it is not always helpful not to admit how you are feeling.
I need some plain funny silliness. OH is coming back from one of his music weeks. He is really not given to fun and silliness. So if I make a silly funny remark he cannot see that it is not meant to be serious and then his long rambling explanations begin.
A few deep breaths Nellie.

I like a good banter on the political threads, although it is not for everyone, but I agree that there is a lot of moaning and criticism about 'younger people'. As soon as I see someone posting about 'young people' affording i-phones, and about how hard it was when they started out.....high interest rates.....going without....saving up....second hand furniture....my eyes glaze over and I move on. I know sometimes it is relevant to the subject, but too many times the comparisons start when they have nothing to do with the subject being discussed. Anyway, good morning all!

I was told off for being frivolous when I should be serious -
and that was by a 'new' poster who then mentioned it on another thread too!!

Wrist slapped and back to being very very serious.

ps I must say that all the 'younger people' I know seem to like their parents as well as like them and don't seem a bit resentful towards them.
Although I should qualify that statement by saying that the 'younger generation' in my case means under 57

I mean 'like their parents as well as love them'

Proof read J!

I guess some are motivated to post because they are facing a problem that they hope others might be able to advise them about - that seems reasonable to me and to most of us I think. And I guess some have reason to have a moan abut the offspring and their actions.

I think there is a fair bit of light-hearted stuff if you go into the right threads.

You should try Mumsnet - the casual ageism to be found there blows the mind!

Here is something to lighten your day - OH at his worst, DD suffering from panic attacks and I cannot seem to help her, I am getting to the end of my tether......but I am still smiling and looking forward to two wee GSs coming to stay for the night!

Just call me Pollyanna!

lucky life is a bugger isn't it??!!

I don't think the op meant those sort of trying to de-stress moans, but the negativity about stuff. Like I honestly can't understand the thread about the new layout!!

I noticed it and got on with it. To be frank life is too short to be taken up with such small trifles - mind you I love trifle ????

"Don't sweat the small stuff".

Agreed, the destress moans are hopefully of help, and a good offload is good for the soul. We are the sandwich generation, possibly unique in that our parents are still alive as we enter our own retirement, and this has its blessings and its trials. I am often awestruck by how some on here deal with very difficult, sometimes heartbreaking family situations, and have huge respect for the kind and helpful comments made.

I don't think this site has any more moaners than any other. A good moan is sometimes just what's needed, and there can be some wonderful dark humour in the most awful of situations.

I suppose you have to take the temperature of the thread. There have been times when I have wanted to post about some trivial or lighthearted thing or other, but it would not have sat well with the way the posts were progressing. By the time things have lightened up a bit, I've forgotten what it was I wanted to post! I think I've only had a real moan once and that caused such a kerfuffle I doubt I will ever do it again.