......and i find it amazing.

Time after time I see people write really personal stuff on here which I find incredible as anyone could read it.

I know loads of people have close friends on this forum but some stuff that people write is really personal and surely is best discussed in closed groups. When i see people opening their hearts i can not help but think there's some attention seeking going on, but i guess why not? not halming anyone is it? apart from potentially themselves when they take a wisecrack too personally

That's one of the best things about the Forum, I think - that people feel safe enough to open their hearts on here and receive support from their Forum family.

Not everyone sees being emotional and open with people as being a scary or bad thing.

I'm proud of us here on the Forum that the site encourages people to open up and be themselves, warts and all.

StarSparkle

Ive been known to write personal things on here but i'd never mention names and theres some things i would never discuss

i know what you mean-there have been a few threads recently where ive thought 'OH MY GOD' what if somebody knows them?
maybe they are just more 'open' and happy to reveal such intimate feelings? :confused:

I've seen this on a number of online Forums - including some 'pure technical' ones where the most intimate secrets you might expect to see reveled are that Fred is actually a Macintosh user... :)

Seriously, it's wonderful when people feel safe enough to do that; it's also a responsibility for the rest of us to keep the Forum 'safe' for such personal stuff to be posted.

It's something that gives me warm cuddly feelings when I see Forum members supporting one another through crises - broken hearts, sick children, the death of a beloved pet - these have all been issues where people have sought support and help from there fellow SFers in recent weeks. Long may people feel they can both ask for and offer words of kindness and wisdom to others.

Joe

I've seen this on a number of online Forums - including some 'pure technical' ones where the most intimate secrets you might expect to see reveled are that Fred is actually a Macintosh user... :)

Seriously, it's wonderful when people feel safe enough to do that; it's also a responsibility for the rest of us to keep the Forum 'safe' for such personal stuff to be posted.

It's something that gives me warm cuddly feelings when I see Forum members supporting one another through crises - broken hearts, sick children, the death of a beloved pet - these have all been issues where people have sought support and help from there fellow SFers in recent weeks. Long may people feel they can both ask for and offer words of kindness and wisdom to others.

Joe

Hear hear! :)

i know what you mean-there have been a few threads recently where ive thought 'OH MY GOD' what if somebody knows them?
maybe they are just more 'open' and happy to reveal such intimate feelings? :confused:
I feel really rather at home on here, but there are still things about myself I wouldn't discuss on the open forum. I might share them to those I know and trust via PM, but I'm far too reserved and cautious to expose my soul to the Sheffield populous. I'm happy to help others out, if I think I can, but I still marvel that they can be so open in public.

But in a lot of cases, you won't connect the username to the person.

I never post anything personal on here, my dads watching my posts (and posting himself) ;)

SF offers a degree of anonymity that talking to a neighbour or family member couldn't possibly provide. There is no risk of gossip or breach of confidence, and when forummers post about personal problems, the funsters tend to respect the sincerity of the OP - and thus only serious, and supportive, contributions are made.

It is one of the striking attributes of SF that you can reveal all manner of personal problems and seek advice and help, and this wonderful on-line community will respond in a positive and non-judgmental way.

I've seen this on a number of online Forums - including some 'pure technical' ones where the most intimate secrets you might expect to see reveled are that Fred is actually a Macintosh user... :)

Seriously, it's wonderful when people feel safe enough to do that; it's also a responsibility for the rest of us to keep the Forum 'safe' for such personal stuff to be posted.

It's something that gives me warm cuddly feelings when I see Forum members supporting one another through crises - broken hearts, sick children, the death of a beloved pet - these have all been issues where people have sought support and help from there fellow SFers in recent weeks. Long may people feel they can both ask for and offer words of kindness and wisdom to others.

Joe

I agree Joe :)

Although, I always get a bit bemused at the 'what colour are your boyfriends boxers' type threads :hihi:

I agree Joe :)

Although, I always get a bit bemused at the 'what colour are your boyfriends boxers' type threads :hihi:

Oh! :shocked: I think I missed that thread! :rolleyes:

Oh! :shocked: I think I missed that thread! :rolleyes:

Thats ok dear we can re-create it here. So, redrobbo, what colour are you boyfriends boxers?

:D

SF offers a degree of anonymity that talking to a neighbour or family member couldn't possibly provide. There is no risk of gossip or breach of confidence, and when forummers post about personal problems, the funsters tend to respect the sincerity of the OP - and thus only serious, and supportive, contributions are made.

It is one of the striking attributes of SF that you can reveal all manner of personal problems and seek advice and help, and this wonderful on-line community will respond in a positive and non-judgmental way.


Based on things that some people ahve said to me, I think it could be imprudent to automatically presuppose there is no risk of gossip or breach of confidence.

I trust you and everyone else will therefore quite understand that it is for precisely this reason that I am not prepared to discuss anything disclosed to me which I think could fall in to this category. Cheers

But in a lot of cases, you won't connect the username to the person.

I never post anything personal on here, my dads watching my posts (and posting himself) ;)

Thats only because I like to know you're ok......

:)

The whole thing gets a bit o.t.t though sometimes with all the "my prayers are with the family" and "I'll be thinking of you" whenever a complete strangers dilema is reported on. I think people feel obliged to post something similar so they don't look heartless or uncaring. The way the forum emotion-police turn on anyone who isn't into their online love-fest, or dares to say something like "I don't care" or "so what ?" can be quite frightening.

Isn't it easier to simply not reply if you genuinely don't care? Otherwise you're just posting it to cause them pain.
I know a few people who post on here IRL (not through the forum) and I'm always aware that what I post is in the public domain. Hence nothing that I wouldn't normally talk about in the pub anyway.

I open up on here, generally because I don't feel like there are many other places to do it and I know most of the people on here. Some people are inconsiderate arse holes :) but most are helpfull.

So what if it's personal? Personal is good. The world would be a better place if it were more personal. The Roman dramatist Terence said, "I am a man; I hold that nothing human is alien." And I agree.

Thank you all for sharing... except for those posts about farting in elevators. :D

Thank you all for sharing... except for those posts about farting in elevators. :D

He said 'pull my finger' :D

I like to come on here and share my thoughts. I feel safe on here and dont get shouted and bawled at if I say what I am thinking.
perhaps a lot of people have no one to talk too share things with.

Based on things that some people ahve said to me, I think it could be imprudent to automatically presuppose there is no risk of gossip or breach of confidence.

I trust you and everyone else will therefore quite understand that it is for precisely this reason that I am not prepared to discuss anything disclosed to me which I think could fall in to this category. Cheers

we totally understand, it's your prerogative to post, or not post, personal details, it's entirely up to you. Some folk post heartstring stuff, and some don't.. it's all personal choice.

I've had a laugh with trivial/comical posts. I've fretted with people as their loved ones or pets have been ill... supported peopel when they have been going through abuse or other stressors...

I have had lots of wonderful support from the friends I have made on here.

They have supported me through such traumas as my father being ill, and him having to undergo surgery, and the stress of coming to terms with what was happening in my relationship, and their support and friendship helped me find the self confidence to split from that relationship. I attend meets, such as the mah-jong which has given me great fun and entertainment, and my social life is great!

and sometimes, just the knowing that others are holding you in their thoughts can do a lot to help you get through a bad time.

edit to add this from misty...
I like to come on here and share my thoughts. I feel safe on here and dont get shouted and bawled at if I say what I am thinking.
perhaps a lot of people have no one to talk too share things with.

This could also be a strong factor.


PT

perhaps a lot of people have no one to talk too share things with.sounds about right.

i am really bad at talking about personal stuff to people face to face, or even on the phone as i get all shy! helps to be able to say things im feeling on here even if i know that an awfullot of people are going to read it..

also.. i think it can help to read the psot of someone else who may be going through something similar to yourself, to know that there are other people out there or to find answers to questions that you didnt dare ask

I've seen this on a number of online Forums - including some 'pure technical' ones where the most intimate secrets you might expect to see reveled are that Fred is actually a Macintosh user... :)

Seriously, it's wonderful when people feel safe enough to do that; it's also a responsibility for the rest of us to keep the Forum 'safe' for such personal stuff to be posted.

It's something that gives me warm cuddly feelings when I see Forum members supporting one another through crises - broken hearts, sick children, the death of a beloved pet - these have all been issues where people have sought support and help from there fellow SFers in recent weeks. Long may people feel they can both ask for and offer words of kindness and wisdom to others.

Joe


and then people like me, kirky, owdlad etc come stomping straight through :)

and then people like me, kirky, owdlad etc come stomping straight through :)

You mean "The Rat Pack" dont you ?:hihi: :hihi:

looking at their normal posts its the 'ratty pack' - I feel totally envigorated by venting my spleen on here - god only knows what would happen if those naughty mods (they know who they are <g>) take it away again :)

I'll probably become a traffic warden :)

I'll probably become a traffic warden :)
It would be more than your jobs worth.

It would be more than your jobs worth.

PMSL @ Tony! :clap: :lol:

More than your jobsworth?!

The thing with the forum is its very easy to let yourself go and tell the world too much about yourself.

Thats something i discovered late last year when i would tell everyone my problems and want feedback. I guess you could say i woke up and thought "damn, your telling a lot of strangers a lot of personal stuff"

Nowadays i'm a 99% lurker; just seeing whats happening in the world that i may of missed and any funny storys.

Now and agin i'll contribute to a thread (like this:roll: ) but i dont feel the need to tell everyone about myself, but hey, thats me:D

I couldn't be like 'certain' members to tell everyone everything. Sometimes it can be very :blush::hihi:

Besides, i bore myself with my own problems, why would i want to bore 22k other people:confused:

offering an insight into your own emotional turmoil can often "add" to your post.
if you've never suffered with some problem or disease personally - your only talking opinions. if you are a fellow sufferer you are talking about experience.

in fact its the people who show no sign of ever having done anything wrong or suffered & then ridicule everyone else that **** me off a bit on here.

It would be more than your jobs worth.

Nice uniform ;) like a civil service storm trooper.....I'd do police cars, buses and official council vehicles - I'd last about 5 mins I guess :)