Must get a copy of Jack's books...

Separated by a common language. This side of the pond, winding people up, mainly friends to be fair, is an accepted form of social intercourse. I used to spend long periods in The USA and soon found that it isn't always understood. I accept that I take the piss, and some, OK, one in particular, gets on his high horse as if I shouldn't. You then get the absurd situation where if you aren't being all serious, you shouldn't be posting.

I have an answer to that, but to be fair, I agreed to the cease fire so won't say it.

SO what happens here is that banter is misconstrued, the other side get all serious, that rubs the other side up the wrong way and before you know it, the bombs get dropped. You also get warfare when someone says something outrageous and hurtful, or when someone generalises and gives you al label you don't recognise. I also agree with those who point out that those moaning about abuse include those happy to dish it out.

That said, when assertions are held dear but diametrically opposed by the other side, I doubt consensus can be reached. If one side repeats, the other side does too. Yeah, we have our fair share of bigots, racists and those who reckon we are all going to hell in a hand cart. I even had one UK mudcatter who said that once I stopped being a miner and made my pile, I had no right to go to folk clubs. Work that one out, because be buggered if I can....


You know, being someone who sees himself as one of those aimed at in the OP, the thread itself is amazingly insulting....