Do We Need ChitChat?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Or has G4 would say 'grow some'. I'll get me coat.

[veggiechicken]

Or has G4 would say 'grow some'. .

I knew we'd get back to gardening eventually

[Raybon]

Just realised that we need a MAJOR rant thread.
Then anyone who would be uncomfortable/ uninterested in 'contentious' topics could easily avoid, and those who would like to explore other avenues of thought/opinion could respectfully do so.

[Bigmallly]

Topics are not started off that way otherwise they would be deleted, it's the way they sometimes end up that we need to avoid.

[Martin H]

I think the system is fine the way it is. The mods are prepared to lock threads that are getting out of hands and in my opinion they get it right almost all the time on this forum. Miles better than several other forums that I participate in.

[Nicos]

Strange thing is that some subjects which irritate some peeps can really , really annoy others , and yet can then really , really anger other grapes....
Modding really isn't that simple when trying to be diplomatic *sigh

Can self moderating be soooo difficult??

Teamwork please peeps eh????

[rary]

meaningless guidance . . . what is the definition of 'near the knuckle' or "contentious" ? one persons contentious is anothers normal . . .

You could be right Raptor, if every one kept it courteous and well mannered the rest would not be required, but good manners seems to be a thing of the past

[Nicos]

^^^^ thing of the past???...maybe elsewhere, but this site has high values/standards and intends to maintain good manners here...which puts us way above other sites.....but it' s up to individual posters if they wish to be a part of this.

[Raybon]

The post which started this particular ball rolling was hardly 'Minor'. Therefore in its proper (major) place people could expect possibly more 'contentious' responses and join a debate.
The 'please show respect' aspect should apply to all threads anyway.
I have seen some real horrors.

[Bill HH]

I think that threads can turn nasty whether in the chat area or not. In fact it seems to me that the chat area is rarely a cause for concern. All things considered I think its about right, whatever you do will not prevent the odd flare up.
We really do need to thank out lucky stars that we have the moderators that we do

[RaptorUK]

Would you like them enshrined in an Act of Parliament Raptor?

Nope, just unambiguity and clarity, don't the users of any Forum deserve that ? how else can they know what is and isn't acceptable ?

[Martin H]

Godwin's Law wins again!

[Bigmallly]

Nope, just unambiguity and clarity, don't the users of any Forum deserve that ? how else can they know what is and isn't acceptable ?

I can't believe you are asking what is and is not acceptable behaviour.

[RaptorUK]

I'm a little disapointed to see that a discussion aimed at avoiding bad feelings is at risk of itself getting rather tetchy and potentially personal. Can we all take a deep breath before we end up dissolving into what we are actually trying to avoid please. Thank you

Please don't read into my reply something that isn't and was never intended to be there. There is no need for bad feeling or tetchyness, is that a word ambiguous rules make Moderators lives hard and more busy, it's a good thing to try and make things more clear.

[Scarlet]

I think the chat threads are a vital part of the forum, it's where you "meet" the other gardeners and learn a little bit about them. Advice and info alone would be a little cold. I don't always contribute, some days I don't bother even to read them, on other days they give me a few laughs. Even I can't talk garden all the time, especially during the winter and I need something to keep me logging in on those cold dark nights.