Uncalled for comments

Yes you’re right Lucca.
I think that everyone has the right to join in a thread, and state an opinion politely.

maddyone

If the title of the thread, or the original post doesn’t interest me, I don’t read any further.

What if it interests you but your views don’t coincide with the majority? You often get told to not join the thread......

If the title of the thread, or the original post doesn’t interest me, I don’t read any further.

polite
I'm out and about typing on phone. Sorry.

^Sometimes it's mentioned to a poster that their comment was hurtful and they then give a genuine (as far as I can tell) apology.
It seems people sometimes just blurt things out without thought.^
One would like to think so FarNorth, but sometimes just as one is about to apologise or think of a pite answer, the poster adds more insult to injury.

Oops phone wrote "denier"?
Nothing to do with nylons, should read "dernier".

Sometimes it's mentioned to a poster that their comment was hurtful and they then give a genuine (as far as I can tell) apology.
It seems people sometimes just blurt things out without thought.

That last quote is saucy, (pun intended) but true, Spangler.
Rira bien qui rira le denier.
He who laugh last, laughs longest.
Also "let them stew in their own juices" is a good foodie one.

GrannyLaine, it might seem like letting the bullies rule in the playground, but if they have nobody left to bully it might get the message across, but don't hold your breath.

Ignoring the response will leave the poster wondering if they have achieved their aim, but they can't be sure, because the are waiting for a retaliatory reply and nothing is forthcoming.

But if you really want to score Brownie points, note down the date, thread and page with an easy to remember title. Sooner or later the poster will come up with something that contradicts that which they previously posted. You have them on toast.

As said in Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' epistolary novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses: "La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froide"
or in English: "revenge is a dish best served cold."

Thank you for returning us to the OP Eloethan. I have not had time to read all the in between comments but "sharp" isn't a huge issue for me. Short, to the point repartee can be good when disagreeing. I know I sometimes drift into lengthy comments which lose their impact whereas condensed, neat, replies are better.
The "catty" bit is more upsetting in discussions, like people pointing a finger,
"I don't see where you you're getting that from" (before my very eyes thank you very much), or "what do you know about" (ahem I work in that sector).
I have to sit on my hands sometimes to not lower myself to the same level.

I hate these threads that make vague references to unpleasant comments made by other posters.

If you wish people to comment, then surely they have to know what you consider to be "sharp" or "catty" in order to give their opinion.

Oldwoman70 ??!

I gave up a while ago joining anything connected with the RF as any disagreement with the prevailing trend provoked accusations of being a Republican. I’m not.

Same as in the Royal threads. Some people like to follow the RF. They also like to discuss them on here, yet, unfailingly, others pile in denouncing said members. If you’re a Republican fine; entirely your choice but some members with those views seem to think they have a right to dictate to the Royalists. Just leave people alone. Sometimes we can see from the title of the OP what the thread’s about. I often read OP’s and think “not interested” and leave it. Why get involved in something I’m not interested in?

The if you don't like something don't read it argument is annoying, how can you know if you haven't read it

I think it’s sometimes justified, when someone weighs in with criticism of an OP because the subject of the thread annoys them for some reason, but they haven’t bothered to really read what the thread is about.

For example, recently someone started a thread about cycling, intended to support & exchange ideas for those thinking of taking up cycling or getting back into it, advice about clothing, types of bikes etc.

But someone just had to stick their oar in, complaining about cyclists on the roads & what a nuisance they were, spoiling what had until then been a friendly supportive thread.
It was politely suggested that the didn’t have to read a positive thread about cycling, and they were free to start their own moaning one if they wanted to.

We must all be kids at heart because these type of posts always seem to attract multiple replies generating so much energy. Perhaps weather not good enough for us to go out to play?

Sort of ‘play nicely with your little sister’ ?

Jane10 How sad

?

Being told to 'be kind' just brings out the contrary brat in me!

I think the point that the OP is making is that it is perfectly possible to be forthright and engage in interesting debate without annihilating someone else. I see no problem at all with being kind either in real life or on social media.

in RL.

I don't think we need to trawl through threads to acknowledge that this is true. Sometimes it does indeed sound like playground squabbles.
And rudeness can be hurtful. And I too wonder would people be like that un RL.

But I think it's a risk you take for the benefits gained from GN. There are lots of very pleasant helpful people on the forum who at times can be very witty and entertaining, and very informative.

I don't think the poster was trying to goad anyone.

There are ways of getting a point across without being bitchy, I find. However, I do resent the persistent, frequent, posts about being 'kind'. Some people really need a reality check, don't they - especially on here?

I totally agree that to say "if you don't like something don't read it argument is annoying, how can you know if you haven't read it? I have observed and it really gets to me is the "very demanding" type of post " where the tone is so domineering, such as 'can you confirm that" "post a link" "where have you read that" "why do you say that" sometimes with the same poster repeatedly asking. I then wonder what they must be like and how they would conduct themselves in RL, would they be so insistent or be more open to discussion?