I just wanted to raise my observation that, in my opinion, a few posters on BE (only a few) have over-stepped the mark recently with what I think are quite personal attacks on other posters.

Maybe it's just me, but there seem to me to be a few posters who are only too quick to jump in with a nasty remark when someone says something.

I respect the World is full of people with many different views, and yes, sometimes people complain about things, but I don't think personal criticism of someone is warranted.

If you see someone posting something you consider to be 'overstepping the mark' hit the report button. However, as we are only reading words it's very hard to tell, unless you know someone's 'style', if they're being rude, sarcastic, humorous, honest. Also two readers can read a post in two completely different ways. I may see rudeness, someone else may see humour. One person's level of acceptable behaviour can be completely different to someone elses.

So, if in doubt, report. In my opinion, the main problems occur when a poster reads a post (generally aimed at someone else entirely), takes offense and starts complaining about that post in the thread and an argument ensues. It is a very public forum, with individuals posting who you would have absolutely nothing to do with in real life. If someone continually responds in a manner you don't like, use the 'ignore' button. Don't let them (unknowingly some of the time) wind you up.

Disclaimer: There are also posters who have nothing better to do with their time than lob snotty posts about in order to get a rise but who manage to stay within the rules.

In a fit of honesty I have dropped my trousers and present my bottom for the board to spank as they pass by....

I have become accustomed to beatings....

Yes I have to agree, a whole thread was recently started about me by someone who knows nothing about me or our plans. I have no idea of his motives but it says much more about him than it does me, it was more than a little sad to be honest. They are just keyboard warriors and really not worth wasting any effort on, just rise above it

It seems that living in Perth affects a few posters perspective.

For people who are supposed to be so happy they sound awfully angry and bitter at times

Im sure it just coincidence that the nastiest are in Perth

And this, Brissy, is why threads like this turn into exactly what you don't like to see.

Not at all, no one is getting personal

Actually this is something I have thought about recently and in the past have been guilty of myself to a high degree .

But more recently I look at some of the bitchy posts with obvious hidden sarcastic messages aimed at certain posters and I think it is pretty bad.

Many people on here are going through some shitty times that they may or may not choose to dislose, they come on here for company, a good laugh or just some banter and I reckon sometimes it is worth taking a step back before attacking them via the keyboard.

If someone annoys you that much, you can bet your bottom dollar that you annoy the pants off them too - something worth thinking about when taking the moral highground.

FWIW, I apologise to anyone I have upset or been horrible to, sometimes I just write stuff to get it off my chest and my fingers type quicker than I can keep up with.

And really, if I annoy any of you and you feel a burning desire to slate me or make innuendo, put me on ignore or step away from the keyboard.

Good post Cheetah

no need to apologise for this. Feel free to do this with me anytime Cheetah

Some of it is.

That poster often posts with a degree of irony and frustration brought about by besiegement...

I don't think her life in Perth comes into it. Nothing that is our business...