Let's say this one more time......

**frugalfoster** · 06-13-2008, 12:15 AM

Wow, in the two years that I have belonged to this forum, I have never seen such anger in some of the threads. We need to remember that we have something lacking on these boards and that is that we cannot hear the tone of voice in how the poster's are presenting their opinions. What might come off as extremely harsh could very well be intended as something completely different. Think about it, how many ways can a teenager say "Wow that's cool". It can mean truly that or it can be taken as complete sarcasm or somewhere in between. As you read these posts, try not to take total offense at what is being said. It is an opinion....and you don't get the complete true picture without hearing the poster's voice. Opinion's are helpful, even when we don't particularly want to hear what the poster is saying.
I, for one, have enjoyed having the two sexes on this board. We need to have supportive and compassionate posters, but it is also good to have those who point out what we might not want to hear. As long as it is not presented in a mean and demoralizing way it can be a great learning tool.
So please keep that in mind when you are reading these threads...

**IntlMom** · 06-13-2008, 12:52 AM

Originally Posted by frugalfoster

Wow, in the two years that I have belonged to this forum, I have never seen such anger in some of the threads. We need to remember that we have something lacking on these boards and that is that we cannot hear the tone of voice in how the poster's are presenting their opinions. What might come off as extremely harsh could very well be intended as something completely different. Think about it, how many ways can a teenager say "Wow that's cool". It can mean truly that or it can be taken as complete sarcasm or somewhere in between. As you read these posts, try not to take total offense at what is being said. It is an opinion....and you don't get the complete true picture without hearing the poster's voice. Opinion's are helpful, even when we don't particularly want to hear what the poster is saying.
I, for one, have enjoyed having the two sexes on this board. We need to have supportive and compassionate posters, but it is also good to have those who point out what we might not want to hear. As long as it is not presented in a mean and demoralizing way it can be a great learning tool.
So please keep that in mind when you are reading these threads...

Not only do we need to keep it in mind when we are READING the posts, but also think about how it is going to SOUND to the OP before you hit Submit......

**EmilyD** · 06-13-2008, 01:00 AM

I have been here for over 2 years as well and haven't ever been involved in a flame war like I was today. I hadn't been coming to the forums for a while and sure stepped into something when I came in today.

On AOL (I worked on the boards there for 3 years) it would have been stopped immediately. But since it wasn't stopped and actually encouraged, I figured I would have my say as well.

Hopefully it has burned itself out and that may be a better way to handle it. Time will tell.

**Palooka** · 06-13-2008, 01:13 AM

I find these threads very unprodutive. Why do people keep bringing in the sexes thing of it all. I know....because you know that is how it all started! Right?

Gender don't mean that much to me...but some how everyone seems to bring in 'their' post. I would never find myself inferior to a man...ever..nor see them above me, but as an equal..

Respect of this forum is what it is important. I also seem to find very trollish post that I never have seen here before.

It seems by all of these threads that people do recognize their is a problem going on and they express it in these sorta threads..in their own way...

JMHO