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[Darth Loo-knee]

I cant help feeling some nerves have been touched for no good reason on this thread. I'm quite capable of some colourful language myself when emotions run high so I'm not about to cast judgement either way.

What I will say is - have a look at some of the car forums where "anything goes" language wise, or anything else, for that matter. How much useful information is there, and how easy is it to find within the other noise? Do you see members going well beyond the call of duty to help each other out with problems, car or otherwise? Do you see people making lifelong friendships? Coming to the forum for comfort when life deals them savage blows? Do you see the above happening in the way it does on OOF?

Not IMHO. The "feel" of the place becomes more aggressive, people batten down the hatches, take what they want and look after number one. Now, I don't believe a few choice words are necessarily going to tip the balance but there's a slippery slope  there somewhere and I, amongst others, really don't want to see us sliding towards it.

So, all I will say is, I don't think Hotel21's post, or any other, for that matter, should be taken personally. Before we start worrying about a nanny state controlling OOF or the "liberal minority" taking over let's consider what type of forum we want. One where a scattering of dodgy words add colour to the more emotional posts without causing offence - or an out and out online war zone?

It's up to us at the end of the day.

Kevin

I understand exactly what you are saying Kevin. But I'd like to think that the core of this forum is far too strong to be split by petty bickering. I've noticed that when a new member joins with an attitude and bad mouths an existing member, others rally and defend the spirit of the forum.

I think it is that "spirit of the forum" that Kevin and H21 are trying to protect as well. This is not the first time the subject has been raised recently .. yet I don't remember it ever being raised in the first year or so of my membership ... so something has changed, and not for the better..

Nige the only thing I can see that has changed is the size....

[amigov6]

I find it somewhat dissapointing that the simple original post asking folks to consider their use of language has been hijacked by some who are using words like:

small minded, draconian, whinging, intolerant and from

amigov

All this banter still does'nt detract from the fact we're expected to bow down to the minority should we offend them

May I ask just how you decided that the "majority" wish to swear and only a "minority" dislike it

As I see it, the whole point was made very early on ... but some folks just won't see it ... it is all about respecting others opinions and views .. but some just want their own way under the banner of "freedom".... please remember .. if you demand a right, you, by definition, give others the right to make demands as well.

The English language is the most beautiful language and has more descriptive words than any other, swearing and "masked" swearing just demonstrates a lack of vocabulary as well as that lack of respect.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPvRsLWlDXw&feature=related
  Mr. superior Entwood again telling us that swearing shows a weakness of mind & intellect so devoid of vocabulary that we resort to swearing because we are thick as two short planks & have little or no command of our own language.
   This is for YOU Entwood, where would we be without you to tell us how mind numbingly stupid we really are. Thankyou for your superior wisdom & feel free to add your name in it's infinate wisdom to this song.

[albitz]

The use of no holds barred 'cussing and blinding' in the workplace is very much one thing but would you say the same things in the High Street or in the middle of Tesco's, still at a sufficient volume so that anyone who was passing could still see/read what you said?

LOL, I guess you've never shopped in Bletchley Tescos, when the 30yr old grandmother retaliates to the shop staff who have just pulled up little Chardonnay for shoplifting

Yes, I have - perhaps not the same Tesco's - but I would bet that if the same cherub/parent/grandparent/great grandparent/great great grandparent was later presented with a written transcript that I bet she would be embarrased...   :-/

.....If they were capable of reading it.

[TheBoy]

The use of no holds barred 'cussing and blinding' in the workplace is very much one thing but would you say the same things in the High Street or in the middle of Tesco's, still at a sufficient volume so that anyone who was passing could still see/read what you said?

LOL, I guess you've never shopped in Bletchley Tescos, when the 30yr old grandmother retaliates to the shop staff who have just pulled up little Chardonnay for shoplifting

Yes, I have - perhaps not the same Tesco's - but I would bet that if the same cherub/parent/grandparent/great grandparent/great great grandparent was later presented with a written transcript that I bet she would be embarrased...   :-/

Its not the kind of society I want to live in.  As you said in original post, a bit of respect isn't difficult and is free.

[Darth Loo-knee]

The use of no holds barred 'cussing and blinding' in the workplace is very much one thing but would you say the same things in the High Street or in the middle of Tesco's, still at a sufficient volume so that anyone who was passing could still see/read what you said?

LOL, I guess you've never shopped in Bletchley Tescos, when the 30yr old grandmother retaliates to the shop staff who have just pulled up little Chardonnay for shoplifting

Yes, I have - perhaps not the same Tesco's - but I would bet that if the same cherub/parent/grandparent/great grandparent/great great grandparent was later presented with a written transcript that I bet she would be embarrased...   :-/

I had to laugh reading this as years ago my Mum got stopped by a copper for something, anyway whatever it was for he wrote down what Mum had said. When she was in front of others suppose court and the copper read out what Mum had said "Mrs. Dunn answered "Charming"  she said that she had never felt so embarrassed...

Oh well I thought it was funny

[doog]

Ooooo....   Tin of worms as anticipated...   

Requoting Ye Olde Poste Original Number One of this thread...

Grumpy git time and tee'ing myself up for potential abuse....   

OOF is primarily a blokey site for talking assorted 'dangle berries' about Omega and other Top Geary style things, there are also a number of female and junior members who also enjoy the cameraderie and banter.

Without going down the granny knows best/PC route, we request that members use language here that does not potentially offend.

A swear filter is inbuilt into OOF but, as we all can see, its easily circumvented by use of fly letters and other symbols.  Without wanting to impose draconian swear filter measures again, can we please use the language of common decency? 

Not all who frequent here live/work on building sites or workshops where foul language is the norm.  At the same time, they know its there, and just prefer to talk in a decent adult fashion without resorting to playground emphasis.

ta.....   .

The highlighted part is the nub of the matter.

The use of no holds barred 'cussing and blinding' in the workplace is very much one thing but would you say the same things in the High Street or in the middle of Tesco's, still at a sufficient volume so that anyone who was passing could still see/read what you said?

Effectively, thats what you do by posting here.

I am in no way a prude and can join swear words into a sensible sentence with the best of them - 7 years at sea in the merchant navy and a career thereafter in the polis has learned me well.

Debs - agree with the thumb/hammer bit.  Done it myself more times than I can remember.  I try to reduce the number of times I type such language into a forum page though, particularly not taking the time to use assorted wild card letters to circumvent any inbuilt swear filter.

Guy - I really do see where you are coming from.  You personally do not (overly) swear in posts, despite being a gobby chap thats not shy at getting his point across.  Your type of historic comments are not those that rattled my cage.   

What does annoy me ( and numerous others, judging by the content of the PM boxes of myself and other admins) is that very limited few who appear to go out of their way to cause general offence, either by their use of explicatives or other genarally abusive, in yer face, love me or leave me language.

I find the latter wholly against the spirit of what we attempt to achieve here (and have done, I think....) whilst retaining a balance thats acceptable .  By that, I'm not talking about what you should whisper in church but ask that we use language that is acceptable in the standards of common decency.

Like others have said, I also frequent other forums where an 'anything goes' attitude by the admins is the norm and, frankly, its like standing outside the boys lav in a secondary school at breaktime and listening to the weekend heros giving it large, thinking that they are superheros as they can join sweary words together or make it rhyme so as it sounds like they are not, if you follow?

All I attempted to do was to ask that we, collectively, observe a wee line drawn in the sand as to thread content so as not to come across as either abusive, aggressive, or downright lacking in words such that swear words of the stronger variety, are deemed a requirement to get a weak point across.

regards

H21

ps - Doog - I also think your avatar is very much treading a thin line mate....  But thats a personal preference, not an admin one.  There are other admins who have also viewed it and have left it, so why should I give you grief?    

Bruce ive been here every day for almost a year and have never had any complaints about my pic
 I know the differerence between sailing close to the wind  and over stepping the mark and personaly i dont think i over stepped the mark
Because you have commented on it asto be inappropriate  i have now changed it 

Doug

[hotel21]

Doog - not saying you have, just not my personal avatar of choice on a forum.  Different folks for different strokes and all that, it just walks my personal thin line, not neccesarily that of others...   

[Turk]

Good grief !!!  I've had to skip through most of this thread as it descended into utter twaddle.

Most of us have used the odd * to make a swear word more "acceptable".  An example would be my post heading "Scummy little Sh*t's" ('cos basically that's what they are !) earlier this evening. We all know (or should know) what is and isn't "acceptable"
 
As for the statement along the lines of "we hear it all around us",  at the end of the day the use of bad language in public is an arrestable offence that carries an £80 fine.   

Prolific use of bad language is a sure sign of a distinct lack of vocabulary.

[doog]

I understand what you were saying Bruce
Im not here to upset or offend anyone so i changed it for one slightly less "close to the wind"
 I have no issues with that

Doug

[hotel21]

Cheers Doog.   

For info, 28 or so members currently watching this thread.  Nowt good on telly?? 

[Entwood]

Good grief !!!  I've had to skip through most of this thread as it descended into utter twaddle.

Most of us have used the odd * to make a swear word more "acceptable".  An example would be my post heading "Scummy little Sh*t's" ('cos basically that's what they are !) earlier this evening. We all know (or should know) what is and isn't "acceptable"
 
As for the statement along the lines of "we hear it all around us",  at the end of the day the use of bad language in public is an arrestable offence that carries an £80 fine.   

Prolific use of bad language is a sure sign of a distinct lack of vocabulary.

ohh er missus .. you can't say that ... apparently ..  Read above .. post #211

But I'm glad at least one person agrees with me

[Turk]

I understand what you were saying Bruce
Im not here to upset or offend anyone so i changed it for one slightly less "close to the wind"
 I have no issues with that

Doug

ADMIN...ADMIN, I've never been so offended in my entire life !!! 

[webby23]

And is anything also being done about some members' avatars then while we are at it............??

Some of them are offensive/disgusting too........!!!!!

 

ive never seen any offensive and disgusting avatars on here

Doug

Your old one for a start..........

 

[hotel21]

And is anything also being done about some members' avatars then while we are at it............??

Some of them are offensive/disgusting too........!!!!!

 

ive never seen any offensive and disgusting avatars on here

Doug

Your old one for a start..........

 

As said, we all have different standards.

Seen worse, seen better....   

[p j morgan]

there is on mine ! its a picture of my grandaughter