I made this mistake once before you see.

I had another cat with attitude and thought she, Lonely, would like some company.

Well in comes Sylvester, a little black and white kitten who Lonely hated with a passion. She hissed and spat at him, crept up on him to batter his head. He wasnt bothered by any of this and just sat and slobbered. It got to the stage where Lonely attacked anything black and white including carrier bags and clothes.

In the end I found a new home for Sylvester in a family who had a little boy. The boy loved dressing Sylvester up and the cat didnt mind, and followed the boy around. Aww it was cute.

In the end Lonely was lonely but not for another cat and went to live with my mum and the two old ladies lived together quite happily.

...listens for disney type music in background.........

Dont suppose you'd let a kitten go on a no questions asked returns basis??

I don't see why not, I'll ask the boss.

I better speak to OH too I could be in trouble here.........

Seeing this thread seems to have gotten off topic - I will continue off topic! I was going to say that in my opinion the difference between cats and dogs is that all kittens and all puppies are cute. But all adult cats are rather attractive, whereas lots of cute puppies grow up to be rather ugly dogs!

I mean you can have a cute little 2 lb thing that grows up to be lollopping great horse! Of course, that being said - beauty is always in the eye of the beholder - even as far as dogs go!

Back to the original topic of User Names on forums, I believe anonymity breeds discourtesy. When I've been in a huff, I've posted remarks that I would not have made if I'd been using my real name. My impression that I could hide behind my User Name (illusory though that impression may have been) weakened the inhibitions that otherwise would have persuaded me to be polite.

A few months ago I read an article by a guy who stated what I've just stated above and who challenged everyone to use their real name on Internet forums.

When I move to BC, I'll change my User Name on this forum. I'm seriously considering switching to my real name.

It's not this snork that's for sure, although I wouldn't mind being as young and thin as she is

Snorkmaiden is a really popular username on the net because of the Moomins, in fact I only use it in two places as it's usually already taken on message boards etc.

I didn't use my real name or something similar when I first joined expats as I knew it was frequented by a few people in the same industry as my hubby, and I didn't want my husbands employer to know we were thinking of moving to the US before hubby resigned, it's a very small world.

I can't risk using my own name. I'd be identified in a blink. That would be a bit of an issue with the client population I work with. I value my privacy, but try not to say on here what I would not say to someone's face. I have no doubt I have not always held true to my own principles, but despite what many may think, Dingbat is human.

I don't really want to use my real name either - I only do that in "closed" forums or within ones which are career related (though actually not involved in any at the mo).

Sometimes its nice just to be a picture Though point taken about needing to maintain politeness, I think this does go out of the window sometimes when people are posting from behind a pseudonym - which is a bit of a shame in my opinion, I don't mind cheeky - but I don't like rude!

It is the height of naivete to expect privacy on the net. I would never use my real name.

As to being rude or nasty well that is something one has to expect although at this forum I have, thankfully, not come across much of it. But I do believe in being blunt and outspoken and not being unduly tactful or politically correct. Sometimes finding just the right balance can be tricky as one can't make everybody happy so why bother?

Surely whatever you say you have just got to 'live with yourself' afterwards. My experience of the sort of people who "tell it like it is" or "I'm going to say whatever I think and if people don't like it hard luck" is that they very often can't take it when they are on the receiving end.

Edna


Very true. Some like to preach but sure can't take their own medicine. Some like me have thick skins, others are ultra-sensitive and are quick to take offence.

But I truly believe one should speak ones mind even in an impersonal chat site such as this. No different really than how one would react in 'real life' situations.

I also figure that posters here who post frequently, and thank gawd there are many, over time will develop a certain reputation (be it good, bad, indifferent) and it becomes increasingly easy to discern those 'bad apples' as opposed to others who have (often) something worthwhile to say and who contribute, in some small way, to the site.

OTOH, one doesn't need to be so bloody gracious and polite and accomodating to the point where a forum becomes sterile, dull, predictable, and that is why, in my view, is it far healthier when people say how they really feel.

This link may be of interesting by the way.

http://redwing.hutman.net/~mreed/war...grammarian.htm

Hey Edna - you have met someone I know. I was going to say who it was - but then that person might google my name and see my comment!!!

The trouble with people who can dole it out but can't take it is that also refuse to believe that they could possibly have any faults!

I think it is easily possible to tell the truth without being rude about it!

I sometimes go on another board. Years ago I used to go there to ask general questions, but I was on the receiving end of some of the people on your link. I just go to ask gardening questions now. There are lots of people there who have been there for years and they think they own the board. Whenever someone comes on the board who disagrees with their position, they brand him or her as a troll and try to get them banned. They didn't do that to me. They were just nasty to me.

I can't be bothered with that kind of garbage!

I don't have the sense of selfworth that some appear to do on here...
I am positive that you could figure out where I live down to the house from what I have posted, but don't think for one minute that I am remotely interesting enough for someone to want to do that. And if they did, I would admire their tenacity. (Whilst trying to call 911).

Hope you are all keeping well,
Mrs Miggins xxx

I think appear is the operative word. My own comments on the subject were decidedly tongue-in-cheek. I certainly don't think I am better than anybody else.

I do know that increasing numbers of employers vet their prospective employees on the wonder-web though, and sometimes find things that turn out negatively for the applicant. Yet another reason to post with some circumspection, or at least anonymously!

When i started my business, i had the "landlady" google my name

To make sure i was ok
There is nothing on the net that is bad about me, but thought it strange as i would ask for reference etc.
Since then i have opted to use "username" rather than real name, it all comes down to personal choice.

Some go ex-directory some dont
"i wouldnt say anything on here or any other forum that i wouldnt say to someones face", but everyone is different

I am just thankful that there is some great people on here that have given me loads of useful info, if i hadnt found this site then my options would be far less than they are now

Gill