Disappointed

[Artful]

I honestly thought this was going to be a fun site for sharing info and debating, discovering opinions and so on but the more I visit the more "closed shop" it appears to be. Messages going to and fro with smudge, netibiza, silly moo, InAPickle (as was), FP, graemer (and his extra wife situation) so I won't forget Robinia - everyone else can join in (unless for some obscure reason they are benned) but no community spirit is shown and the impression I get is I'm intruding on protected ground. I'm sure I will have offended many souls and I am sorry as that is not my intention but it is not nice to feel so excluded from a virtual situation and I felt I needed to give my opinion.

[Artful]

Maybe I put this in the wrong section but I just wondered what other AB users thought. (And it's just not to look as if my post had had an answer!!!)

[FP]

Artful, noone is excluded, I promise you.  This will all be banned tomorrow.  Most of us give answers as best we can and join in serious debates as well.  If we seem cliquey (spelling?) I sincerely apologise.    Sometimes we just get a bit childish and silly and the Editor soon clamps down on us.  People come and go on this site - some like to keep serious, others of us enjoy some lightheardedness, but noone is excluded.  Some of the people you mention have only been visiting this site for a few short weeks, but hve just joined in.

[Artful]

Thankyou for your answer FP, I was really dreading the reaction I might get. Thankyou.

[smudge]

Artful - I read your question with surprise & dismay!

Could you please give me an instance where you've been excluded from any threads? If there are any - I for one will willingly apologise.

Don't feel down about it, because as far as I'm concerned, you are more than welcome to participate in any of my threads. I'm sure others will say the same too. :o)

[Robinia]

As I've been mentioned I'll have a word too!  I only do a handful of categories on here so tend to come across those who are like minded & of  similar age(!!) most often. The bit of fun that we have was never meant to make anyone feel excluded & often lightens the bad days that I know some of us have.  Please don't feel left out Artful - the more the merrier, or grumpier, depending on the topic!!

[netibiza]

Artful - I've only really joined the site about 4weeks ago but was soon made to feel very welcome.  I admit I'm a bit silly at times, but hey this is for fun. Cheer up and join in.