Just a General Observation

[paulineward]

Okay...I don't normally get involved in 'personal' affrays on this site with people, as often I see both points of view to a certain extent and do believe people are entitled to an opinion.

I have been busy today and could only get on line tonight...trying to catch up on some of the crosswords, I came on here to see if some of my 'trickier' clues were already answered..and I did find most of them..so thanks everyone.

I could not help but notice though some animosity and downright rudeness by some people...alright you can tell me to keep out of it, but why don't we all adhere to a few basic guidelines to keep this site as friendly and helpful as it's always been. I have met some great mentors and friends on this site.

If you think a question is inappropriate or asked 'too soon'...don't answer it!

If you think an answer is easy and obvious..remember it is ..ONLY if you know it!!!

Make allowances for people finding this site who may not have the level of intelligence as some others on here. (my daughter is Special Needs..and may have come across a site like this for an answer to something we would deem 'easy!') Do not presume.

If you do visit this site and can manage to read the basic guidelines to get the best help available, then try to follow them. i.e....give crossword, clue, and amount of letters. Any additional information for quizzes will help you get a quicker answer. Then try and remember to say 'thank you!'...or acknowledge the answer.

But please...let's get this site back on track..and try to keep it a nice place to visit. There are plenty of other places to go for a slanging match!

Sorry if I have overstepped the mark...but I had to have my say! Hope I haven't upset anybody.

Pauline xx

[sarumite]

Well said Pauline. I have also come across a number of insulting replies on Q&P in recent times, and have said there and then to the perpetrator that there's absolutely no need for such discourtesy. By all means use it but don't abuse it!!

[paulineward]

Thanks Sarumite..I have met so many decent people on here. Some have become good friends!!.. I don't want us all to loose site of what is important..life is too short...and there are enough 'angry' people around in this world!!

[Dustybun]

the voice of sanity. Well said Pauline
Dee xx :0)

[paulineward]

Thanks Dee..I did worry a bit about getting involved..but then sometimes something has to be said!

[Magyar]

Hear, hear Pauline. I totally agree, and if you have upset the few (thankfully the VERY few) whose main aim in life seems to moan and bitch about the dozens of friendly helpful people on AB, then so be it. I for one am happy to give answers when I can (although I've usually been beaten to it by others) and will continue to give answers, whether it be the first or the last day of a quiz (providing I know the answer myself of course).

[shaneystar2]

I quite agree Pauline .
One or two have made life very unpleasant on here lately .
Answer at your peril sort of thing !
But of course they are far superior to us mere mortals as they keep informing us ad infinitum.
Life is hard enough for a lot of people without these paragons of virtue telling us what we can and cannot do or can and cannot answer and take it upon themselves to police us .
I don't care what they think and I will quote from one of them ...

The best thing that could happen to this entire site with all its inane topics and contributions would be for the whole d*** thing to self-destruct overnight......


So why do they persist in contributing and causing bad feeling ? They must have their heads stuck firmly up their own backsides I'm afraid !

[paulineward]

Well let's hope we can stamp it out! ..' 'Bad' only exists when the 'good' man does nothing!

[Dustybun]

Pram shaney!!!!!!!

what annoys me particularly is when the worst offenders are still "green". An answer can be "reported" but when someone is nasty enough to post their insult to another ABer in the guise of a question, as happened today (a few pages back) what can be done?
Dee

[shaneystar2]

Ooooh ...I didn't see that . B Cheek . Where's my rattle !

[New Seeker]

Good to read your comments, Pauline. Well said.

On the subject of insults, I remember years ago - this was well before I got the job as Dame Edna Everage's bagman - being mocked and insulted by a gimlet-eyed traveling salesman in a hotel lobby in Valdivostock as I struggled with a crossword clue one Sunday afternoon. The experience has never left me.

[Catwoman35]

Hear! Hear!!

Lynne

[Aquagility]

Only just seen your post, Pauline, having been asleep ib my bed long before 23.34!

As you know I agree absolutely with your every word, and it cannot be said too often. I'm not sure what can be done about these ignorant louts unless we can somehow get the AB powers-that-be to see that they could be a threat to the popularity (and thus prifitability) of the site.

Well said! AQ.

[kettledrum]

Well done, Pauline. I couldn't agree with you more. I very nearly waded in on Sunday evening, but then thought that rather than start a slanging match I would ignore it. But you're quite right - if we all ignore this sort of behaviour then the cyber bullies get away with their intimidating tactics.

[jan1956]

right behind you Pauline, well said
jan

[patchett]

Morning Pauline.I still consider myself to be a "newbie"on this site and am very impressed by the answers that are given by people far brainier than me,but I can't understand why any one comes onto this site just to be rude.Why do they do it?One of lifes unsolved mysteries.Think to ignore them is probably the best thing.Like others, I consider ABers to be my friends,so I think to ignore the others is the answer.Sun is shining,day off work,alls well with the world.
Joan

[MatydaLover]

Very well said Pauline, you have my unconditional support. I find it encouraging that many people have similar views, and only a few seem to be name-callers.

Luckily, their stones have only an electronic target so there are no broken bones, but even a couple of barbed words can be very hurtful.

I find it best to remember that there are many, many friendly ABers about - whenever there are doubts, just voice it here to get a warm response and restore the faith.

[brokenbank]

Wholeheartedly agree. I recently returned to AB after a spell in hospital and several weeks recuperation, and was extremely disappointed to observe the comments made by what I call "trolls".

I don't personally know anyone on this site, but I do recognise the posting names of many people who have helped me in the past. I always found it to be most friendly and helpful but things do appear to have taken a turn for the worse.

For myself, I have absolutely no intention of being bullied, browbeaten or chastised by these trolls and shall continue to contribute whenever I have something worthwhile to add.

[hardy49]

Well said.I think this site is the best and I am so grateful for the amount of help I have received.It isn't the prizes for goodness sake but the great feeling when you finish a particularly difficult puzzle,with or without help.Also,if sometimes I manage to provide an answer for somebody else it gives you a warm feeling.
There is enough hostility out there without creating more !!!

[Diane1954]

Well said everybody.
I like to try and help people if I can and like this site 'cos it's always been friendly (unlike other sections). Certain people seem to have been picked on just for nastiness and I have reported some of it before deciding to just ignore it.
The only hard question is one you don't know the answer to and we all have different skills which is why I can get some answers on Eggheads,University Challenge and Mastermind (I did say some!!!!! lol)

[bridgenut]

Very well said PaulineWard , think you have written what many others must have thought . If anyone posts any question on here - which they are entitled to- then, it is up to anyone to answer it or ignore it. I will answer ( if I can ) and will not be intimidated by anyone saying it's too early ,etc. etc.