BTK is correct, of course. The written word can be interpreted in many ways due to lack of context, lack of emphasis or expression, and the writer's attempt to be concise, and therefore leave out the context. I have never forgotten Zig Ziglar using the example of how words can change meaning due to emphasis. He used what seems like a straightforward expression - "I didn't say I beat my wife" If the emphasis is on the "I" it indicates that someone else may have said it, but not me. If the emphasis is on the "didn't", it is an emphatic denial. If the emphasis is on the "say" it implies I may have inferred it, but I didn't SAY it. If the emphasis is on the second "I", it implies someone else may have beaten her, but not me. If the emphasis is of the "beat", it implies the I may have smacked her, but I certainly didn't BEAT her. If the emphasis is on the "my", it implies I beat someone elses wife, but not mine. And if the emphasis is on "wife", It implies I may have beaten someone, but not my WIFE. Silly example perhaps, but it makes the point that the written word can be interpreted in many ways.

In a perfect world, the following is to be used for 365 day per year, except in a leap year of 366.
1. We can all, agree to disagree respectfully.
2. People tend to write, as they talk to someone.
3. We all come from various backgrounds and educational levels.
4. The written word leaves something to be desired, in terms of intent.
5. How you say something, may be more important than the words themselves.
6. Thinking how a post, would affect another poster in general, is a good thing, before hitting the submit button.
7. Pause and think, if what you wrote, makes sense, and is clearly written.
8. Never type a post, when hurried.
9. Never type a post, when your upset.
10. Letting some posts, roll off you back, is the best way to handle being upset.

I never let anyone rent space in my head.

People don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

Pretty sound advice Joe:BigApplause:

What about #11, never post when you are drunk or stoned?

It's a deal. I'm in. But I need clarification. Are negative posts those that criticize other posters on the site, or do they include anything less than sunshine and flowers? For example, is it negative to say,"I hate it when it rains," or "That dog poop sure messes up my yard," or "There sure is a lot of speeding on Morse Boulevard." I can live with the rules, but I want to make sure I understand them.

YOU are ALWAYS reasonable.

I know that was for a laugh Dougbee, but sometimes you can see the difference on here as the evening progresses..


There is NOTHING worse than a reformed anything. (That would be me);)

I think everyone needs to have their own guidelines -- mine are no sarcasm; no whiney complaints (so, not gonna complain about poor service in a restaurant but would definitely post if I saw bugs in one); no namecalling (even in my mind); definitely NO criticizing another post. Just 31 days of being civil, thinking about the tone of a post/reply, waiting to hit enter if there is a doubt.

If we could eliminate sarcasm I would be a very happy camper.:MOJE_whot:
:clap2:
:thumbup:

and then we have the reality of
intent VS perception and/or interpretation

all variable according to each individual reader affected by environment, attitude, time of day, how many beers, how many visitors, a full moon, etc, etc.

You are so, so bad! :1rotfl::D

As a matter of fact, I am already happy. More and more we get closer to civil communication.

Your clarification is good. I still say those posters who engage in sarcasm, whiney complaints, and poor service are in the minority. Maybe they will knock it off for a month.

I hope that they continue to post - allows me to be wary if/when I need to go to one of those places AND the oppty to reply that I experienced same or better than the other poster - for the benefit of others down the line. As a career human resources professional, I was often called upon to resolve 'problems' - usually by transfer or separation from the dept or the office altogether.

"Am thinking about opening a gym called 'Resolutions'...it will have exercise equipment there for two weeks...and it will then turn into a bar for the rest of the year!"

NJ BB, you are too funny! :1rotfl: Where do I buy my membership?

Having caught this signature, my thought is that it could well be a good nomination of a "Swimdawg Signature Award of the Week!" How about it swimdawg? :clap2:

Once again the 2% command so much attention. And their behavior is used to taint the good behavior of the other 98%.

Makes no sense (not intended as a negative comment jst a predicament of fact).

Oooh. No? You're not supposed to do that?

Good Idea
 

After reading several posts I really think its a good idea to try it for a month and see how it goes because something has to be done about all the negativity I have read recently ......
I had a friend who used to read all the negative comments and was getting to the point of seriously wanting to jump off the old sales center in Spanish Springs , the only reason he didn't was because he was afraid of heights, so he then contemplated throwing himself in front of street legal golf cart but he tried it at a roundabout and they all missed him a mile because no one could figure out where or when to exit .....Finally he decided to move to Stone Crest and was never heard from again...

I miss him , by about 8 feet actually, as I couldn't figure out where to exit either......
Right Turn Fumar.......:duck:

How I have missed your posts!

Welcome back, Fumar. Now don't leave us for so long ever again!

i guess I will see everyone in FEB

SPOTD Award
 

Oh yes! You win it, Fumar! You get the Swimdawg Post of the Day Award! :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Are we back? I missed the FUN of TOTV. :D. You were part of that FUN. :doggie::doggie::doggie:

Congrats on getting the coveted???award! :icon_wink:

You ain't right Fumar.

Can I chime in here??? I think Red has an absolutely great idea. I don't think it should be hard to accomplish. Can you imagine, all this conversation just to ask for some reasonable respect on this forum? I'm in!!

Good idea Dee, Happy New Year to everyone and I'm following the new rules.

I thank you for the coveted SWIM**** award ....I have been trying to win this award for several years to no avail.....Now that the competition is down to Gracie and Redwitch its going to be much easier , Now that I realize all it takes is 37000 posts with no interesting commentary it'll be a chinch...

a proud fumar............chilout

YOU are asking for it buddy.

How good is Fumar at ducking water pistols?

hee hee hee.(evil laugh)


Just kidding Fume.

You know me by now, girls...I never bring a water pistol to a pressure washer fight.

RE the OP, if Redwitch can hold her tongue for a month, I can too. But I'm going to be dogging her every word.

But, what if bugs are on the menu? :icon_hungry:

Everyone will be watching everyone else. I bet the most used phrase in January will be "I thought we were having a moratorium". ;)

Only 8 hours 22 minutes till kickoff of BNOF (Be Nice On Forum) Get your licks in now!!!

I am having second thoughts here. What if people need to be smacked who aren't BNOF?
Could we just appoint a Designated Smacker?

We can leave Gracie a nice, big water gun -- she's good at putting people in their place in a truly nice way.

HEY! I don't appreciate your taking blackmail pictures of us using your avatar! :rant-rave:

There ya go... feeling much better now that I got my licks in. Thanks for the invite! :highfive:

Oh! Those naked pool pictures of you two? At least the cats had bathing suits on. ;)

Say What? You wouldn't want to put TOTV at risk of being shut down permanently and us kicked out The Villages... forever banned... would you? Would you?

http://imalbum.aufeminin.com/album/D..._H002126_L.jpg

ONLY YOU, Joe, would come up with a picture like this. Happy New Year to you and Eileeny.

As someone I know would say, Joe, you ain't right!

Psssst... I think redwitch may be talking about you below! Happy New Year back to you, redwitch and everyone else. :D

Careful there redwitch... them's fighting words! And quite frankly... I don't wanna get hurt! http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/f/20...by_Mirz123.gif