I don't see the welcome threads as being "touchy feely". I see them as an opportunity to help new members get some bearings and a little practice interacting with other members here in a relatively safe environment. And it helps existing members get to know a little bit about the new members. I always post to welcome threads.

I know if there had been a welcome thread for me when I joined, I would have benefited from it. As it was, I was welcomed by people on other threads. Those welcomes helped me a lot.

Carol