it is very much related to what the 'new' poster begins with. We have had a number of people from non-English cultures who were accepted and welcomed easily and immediately..especially, but not necessarily, if they stuck to music.

But when someone with only 'guest' status, with no previous history, starts or drops into a BS or political thread and begins with controversy and complaint, it is not surprising that some defenses go up.

This is one of the legacies of trolls and 'guests' who are unwilling to adopt a name.....we have had so many bad experiences with 'problem' posters, that the Mudcat equivalent of profiling does occur, I'm afraid. (with posters from Ireland, for example, it seems like the first order of business is often to establish "which side are you on?")

I'd hope that, without evidence, members would NOT 'read the minds' of posters and accuse them of being troublemakers until it is clear. And NEVER should anyone denigrate another culture, race, ethnic background simply on that basis!

I agree that everyone should be given the benefit of the doubt