For those that might have missed it, from
another topic created by this (sadly) ex-member,
Son of a Beach wrote:Well, it's somewhat too late for me to do anything about it now, but it appears that a few members have lacked the tact and sensitivity to effectively communicate in a positive manner with somebody who's a bit different in their thoughts or opinions. It's a real tragedy, because I found Le-Loup's posts so far to be fascinating, and I thought he was a great character to have around here. The living history aspect is something that particularly appealed to me.
Note that I think some of the posts that upset him were in other topics, not just this one - some of the posts in other topics were somewhat more derogatory than the posts here.
Please remember in future that just because somebody does things differently to you, or has different opinions or beliefs to you, does not mean that stirring and insults doesn't hurt them. Our society seems to have somewhat adjusted to reduce racial prejudice, and it is now politically incorrect to give people a hard time because of their religion (although that seems to apply more to some religions than others), however there seems to be no protection for people who don't have sufficient lobby group to bring such protection into law. Really, can't people just get along, despite their differences?
This is not the first time somebody has left this site because of the treatment they've received from members here.
Are such people over-sensitive? Do they have unrealistic expectations of internet-forums-communications? Perhaps. But that is still no reason for anybody to treat anyone else poorly.
PS. This topic is being moved because the OP has removed his original content, and there is little left that fits the forum it was originally posted to.
I think it is really sad that any member receives the kind of welcome here on this forum that results in them leaving in disgust. I had PM'd this member after finding a number of questionable posts, inviting them to report any posts they felt were inappropriate. It seems I was too late.
Please remember for future, all people are different. This is a public forum, but not everyone comes here with the thick skin required of a modern 21st century forum user to be able to deal with posts that ordinarily seem pretty insensitive, regardless of their intention to be funny or whatever. To this poster, such posts did nothing but ridicule him. The intentions of rule 1 on this forum are clearly to try and prevent this. Everyone here should be made to feel welcome. If you want to have fun, think about who you're having fun with, and whether it really should be said.
So. I'm a moderator. I could have gone in and cleaned up all the ridicule posts that get made, warn users to be nice etc... Fun Police at work again, over-moderation etc... I can hear it now. Heard it before and have grown a thicker skin myself as a result.
But, how do you think this makes us feel?
What is the point in telling me to be polite on the forums, and then subjecting me to that crap without doing anything? All I wanted to do was share some knowledge, I am too old to have to put up with that crap and I certainly don't need a forum like this one.
I still live in the hope that this member can give us another chance. Perhaps I'm the eternal optimist, but as a person with a wealth of knowledge such as him, I have already seen I am far from alone in wanting to read more of what he has to say.
