Among Friends

[x Hedge]

@Annabellethecat66,  your post upthread 3/11/18 @11:29am is peppered with thoughts that would make several interesting (I think) threads.

I suspect one reason you get so many replies is because you're SAFE to talk to. Recently (here) I've been verbally slapped, twice called names, been told the facts (not my opinion) make me a ridiculous person, and poofed for making an innocuous observation that other posters later also made without being poofed. (Guess a diff mod was on duty.)

I can go months here without any negativity, and BANG! run into all that in a couple of weeks.

Even when you indicate you're exasperated, you never reply with a harsh word.

That may contribute to why so many posters reply to you.

I had what we called "old parents", meaning my parents were the age of my peer's grandparents. They always spoke to us as adults, no baby talk, and no deliberately using 'easier' words.

When I was about 10 my mother pulled me aside, looked me in the eye, and told me I was both verbose and redundant.

I ran to look those two up in our 'library sized' dictionary (so big it had it's own stand, the book itself had to weigh at least 25 pounds.) 

She sure was right, and I've spent my life trying to edit down my natural tendencies.

While I was busy reading everything, my late husband, who also had "old parents", was the socially outgoing one. He could and did strike up a conversation with everyone, and always came away knowing more about something than when he started.

[occasionalrain]

A lot of threads are about nothing worth a comment which isn't the fault of the OP so much as the prohibitions and unequal removals.

I can't speak for others but for me a thread where every response is agreement isn't worth reading. 

What appealed to me about this BB was the various opinions of posters from everywhere, ones I would never have an opportunity to speak with or meet. The BB is no longer what it once was and there isn't much left to discuss.

I never mind when posters are "mean" to me. I care what I think of me, I know me best.

[SelahG]

If chatting here fulfills a need within you, chat away, I say! Those who are interested in what you have to say, will let you know. Those who aren't can scroll on by. If a few are rude, I would just ignore them. Par for the course on the internet. 

I came to realize over time that many here are retired and I'm nearing that age myself ... But quite a few are not. Even among those who are, many volunteer or help to raise grandchildren, etc. Therefore I wouldn't just assume that most are too afraid to express themselves due to verbal abuse. (A few perhaps.) Many are just otherwise occupied, and then those who do enjoy time spent discussing issues that can become controversial choose to do so elsewhere. So little is permitted for discussion here, so it seems a waste of time and effort to me. Between that and the constant technical difficulties, it's tedious at best.

For me this site provides a means to stay in touch with a few friends, and engage in some lighthearted posts, as well as gain info on certain products. It was never my favorite source for deeper discussions, civil debating, etc. It certainly wouldn't be so now with the strict censorship of topics, even if I were retired with much more time on my hands. 

I think viewing all sides of important issues is necessary to making informed decisions. Sorry you were chided over something so basic! OTOH, when it comes to my core beliefs and values, I and few other mature adults, I would think, will not be challenged in anyway to alter those from any amount of time spent on social media. I don't use it to attempt to enlighten or convert anyone to my way of thinking. I may try to encourage or offer support, as much as is possible this way. 

I usually get back about the same as I give here and elsewhere online, and in life. 

[SoftRain]

@Annabellethecat66, thank you for your kind words!  I, too, am a writer!  I've been writing since I was a child.  Just within recent years, have I decided to look at it more as a career and not just a "hobby". Please continue to post your funny thoughts, and don't worry about being wordy.  Put your talent and opinions out there. Yes, I said talent!  As a writer, and a student of writing...I know it when I see it!  I can see you writing a book in an Erma Bombeck style.  Self deprecating and supremely funny!  My advice...if you really want to write a book, don't look at it as such a daunting project.  Start it out like you're just writing down your thoughts.  You do that very well here.  I promise you, if you do it that way it will not only be cathartic and fulfilling, but before you know it you will have enough for a compete book!

Good Luck!