Just a thought

Posters like 9:38 am 7/30 on the Symbols of American Mediocrity thread are so rude. Why would you come to a weight loss site to tell someone to shove food up their you know what? What is wrong with you? Why are people on these threads so rude? I thought this site was helpful, but the more I read these threads the more I think that many people here are just so rude and just out to attack everyone, insult people and be bitchy. I have seen it time and time again since I have been here and it is not helpful in the least to losing weight. Many people are helpful, but as with anything in life, the few that are just plain bitchy ruin it for the rest of us. Sad! :(

Mon. Jul 30, 11:33am

plea to PT

I agree, I know people are going to jump on this in defense of free speech and censorship, but could there maybe be some sort of monitoring system where people who are excessively or explicitly rude and offensive (I'm not talking about discussing an offensive topic, but speaking in an offensive manner). People could get a warning email for the 1st or 2nd offense and get suspended from the community forum for repeats. Is there even a way for PT to tell who the offenders are in the anonymous forum?

Monday, July 30, 2007, 11:58 AM

I completely agree that that particular part of the comment was uncalled for. I think it was in response to another earlier rude comment (the "don't let the door hit you..."), but that doesn't make it all right.
That particular thread aside, there do seem to be a couple of people who make it their mission to insert the most offensive/rude/bitter comment possible on every thread. I think it's their way of amusing themselves. After getting in a huge debate on one thread about something incredibly unimportant, I've decided to ignore it... Sad that people need to make themselves feel better by writing things like that. It can only be offensive if I allow myself to be offended.
(And yes, by the way, I know the rude comment on this thread is coming... Oh well.)

Monday, July 30, 2007, 12:01 PM

I AM THE 9:38 POSTER IN QUESTION !

"So take your artichoke / spinach dip, chicken wings, or burgers and fries and stick that you know where"
I would hardly call that rude. My response was a rebuttal to people who were shoving the "GOD GIVEN PATRIOTISM" down my throat, with the presumption that EVERYONE wants to eat in American style restaurants if they could only afford it and have available in their own country.
And if you consider that rude, then obviously you have not been on any of the other threads.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 3:08 PM

I think there are posters on that thread and absolutely on other threads that are far more rude than the 9:38 poster. That one is pretty tame in comparison!

Let's all grow some thick skin. People get easily heated. Yes this is a weightloss forum but I think it is important to be able to ask whatever we like here and censorship does not belong. If something offends you-just like in life, speak up or walk away.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 3:35 PM

I agree with you OP. I came here for weight loss motivation, help and support.

The most I see is people talking trash on each other.

12:01 you were right. The rude comment came right after yours :(

Monday, July 30, 2007, 3:48 PM

OP here

So the 9:38 poster comes back and basically says that its not as rude as other threads. Yes I have read many other threads, but my idea is that MANY of them are rude and obnoxious. I agree with what has been said, since these boards are not very helpful in general and are a lot of bitchy, rude comments to others, I find myself reading them very little. I am here to lose weight and gain a healthier lifestyle, not increase my blood pressure by reading people arguing back and forth over stupid things not related to either.

Regarding the other thread, I also don't feel anyone was shoving patriotism down your throat on that thread, they were simply saying to be glad you have options because many countries don't have options like we do in America. I also believe there was a post about "choice" in America to eat what we would like to eat and not eat what we would not like to eat. If people choose to eat spinich dip and chicken wings so be it. That is a freedom we have. It will cost your waistline, but it happens. It does not mean our country is mediocre.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 4:58 PM

How do you define what's rude?

I think it's ruder to equate patriotism to applebee's than to have someone tell me to shove a chicken wing up my a@@.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 5:13 PM

I agree that there is way too much hostility and general nastiness on this message board. I was shocked and upset at first. Now I just feel sorry for whomever it is sitting alone in front of their computer lashing out at strangers.

It would be nice if PT could give warnings and even suspend use of the message board to these offenders.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 5:21 PM

well, not to be rude, but if you're only here for weight loss support and tips, maybe stay out of the forum and stay within your groups/teams and the other information areas on this site. obviously there are enough other members who enjoy the forum, good and bad comments alike, or more would have joined in your plea for change. this site can be beneficial even without visiting the public forum.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 5:49 PM

My Opinion vs Yours

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, whether they choose to express it or not. That is the point of an open forum, as for it being on a weight loss diet site, well correct me if I am wrong but was not the original thread you are refering to pertaining to eating out, which is much more "on topic" than some of the other threads that appear. I think it is wonderful that PT has such a variety of posters with varying opinions, and the desire to debate is very much a natural trait. If you don't like what someone has written, than you can say so, but be prepared to defend your opinion, because the opponent will not just roll over and go away.
As for rudeness, it is all relative.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 5:55 PM

OP again

Thanks for the tips guys. I realized that PT forums are not for me. There is nothing I can learn from rude comments and bitchiness and people arguing back and forth for no reason or no help to me in my weight loss/health improvement endeavor. It's not like we don't encounter enough of this in everyday life without coming here and "asking" for it by simply responding to threads. I thought there would be more people that felt similar that these boards are just really out of control lately; off topic, rude, and just plain people arguing back and forth. It's not simply stating opinions much of the time. It is people attacking each other for no reason because they can be anonymous and have nothing better to do. I guess I was wrong to think others were tired of this as well. Thanks for letting me know that people are not. Good luck.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 10:55 PM

I agree. It is funny some of the stuf that gets written here. So there isnt enough places on the net for people to go an bitch about stuff without coming to this site and continuing it - lets all get behind each other in support, not tearing each other down!!
Lets be positive people!!

Monday, July 30, 2007, 11:14 PM

I completely agree with the OP. I also find many posts to be rude, unproductive and off-topic. I've complained to PT directly, with no response. I too am officially quitting the threads. Cranky folks, do your worst to each other. Perhaps if enough of us quit in protest, the nasty posters will get tired of having the same arguments with one another.

Monday, July 30, 2007, 11:25 PM

TO THOSE WITH CLOSED MINDS

bye bye ....

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 9:10 AM

It helps to have a quirky sense of humor. I Find the rudeeeeees quite amusing!

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 11:20 AM

yeah, me too. anyone who gets out-of-control rude on a support-based website obviously has some other issues. i think it's funny when one poster will comment and by the comments that person indicates that they think they are carrying on a discussion with just one other person, instead of hundreds. there are discussions that i've joined only to be blasted for continuously being argumentative. and i've only left one comment.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 11:26 AM

i hear you. i have shared my opinion before just like everyone else. but people didn't agree and then they start slamming me. i think its very hypocritical. why can't i share my nonsense like they share theirs?

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 11:50 AM

I think the answer to your question poster 11:50 is why do you feel you need to be so rude and hateful?

it is sad to see so much anger and hatefulness, to all others just ignore it, this is a person who has deep hurts in their life and feels the need to strike out.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 11:57 AM

to 1157

what are you referring to? your comment is very condescending and full of an air of superiority. climb down off that pedestal and join the rest of us. the comments you left are exactly the kind that i find rude and hateful. do you see why?

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 12:03 PM

did i say i was being rude and hateful? no i didn't. there we go with the assuming thing.

that is exactly how it all starts. you need to ask before you assume.

i was talking about in the thread about abortion. i said i didn't agree with it then got pounded. is that being rude and hateful? no

get your facts straight before you assume please. that is where these threads go wrong.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 12:04 PM

Thank you 12:03

This is 11:50 and 12:04.

My thoughts exactly

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 12:06 PM

1203 here

i'm glad you agree with my interpretation. however, to be fair, each side on the abortion issue is getting slammed by the other on that thread (and usually in the real world, too).

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 12:13 PM

well it wasn't my opinion getting slammed. it was me personally.

i think everyone can share their opinion. its a right.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 1:09 PM

I don't recall the last time I read a thread that was solely supportive and didn't degrade at some point into insults and attacks. I stop reading the for a while with the hope that PT will figure out a better way to manange the threads. But whenever I return, I find the same or worse.

Maybe PT needs to start consideringi indetifying the logger - not by name but by login. A person can still be anonymous if they want but at least we would begin to learn whose comments we can avoid reading.

It is frustrating.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 1:43 PM

i think we all need to remember that even if we feel as if we're being personally criticised, we are all essentially strangers so we really can't know who we are "slamming". if we remember that, we might not feel personally attacked by some comments directed at our opinions.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 2:37 PM

i had to learn real quick not to get my feelings hurt by the way someone acted. its just a bunch of words. come here, chat with people, and don't let the grumpy gus get to you :)

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 2:56 PM

I think we all need to remember how to be civil. While I agree that it's easy to misinterpret something as Slamming when it may just be constructive criticism. But many of the posts are beyond civil. In fact, I suspect that many of the people who make such remarks, would never do so if they were face to face with soemone else or if the comments could be attirbuted to them.

I have nothing against free speech and constructive criticism - but both can be done without insulting and degrading someone else.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 3:49 PM

Oh come on get over yourselves. If it bothers you so much don't post, then you won't have to worry about the rebuttal, and then defending yourself.
As for identifying the user - why? anonimity breeds openess.

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 4:00 PM

Anonymity breeds stupidity in these threads unfortunately...

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 5:08 PM

So you are saying that people who have a counter view to the original one being expressed are stupid.
Pot calling the kettle black?

Tuesday, July 31, 2007, 5:49 PM

wow. way to twist sh*t around!! take a deep breath and re-read the comments. you may come to a different conclusion.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007, 8:13 AM

Anonymity breeds stupidity meaning.... people feel free to insult, degrade, be rude, be obnoxious, and act in ways they would not (I hope) act face to face with people in a public setting. I agree, re-read again before you attack.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007, 9:35 AM

As I said earlier very AMUUUUUSING !!!

Wednesday, August 1, 2007, 9:37 AM

Ok So you called my comment rude ??

What about the poster AT 6:16 on the "I hate when skinny people tell me how to lose weight"
Sorry now that is rude.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007, 10:09 AM

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