Fair warning...this is a lament.     There are few places to have simple, relaxed conversations without rancor and recrimination on the AARP site.  I believe it's possible to have entertaining and fun conversations with other singles, widows and divorced people and I'd like to find such a place here on AARP. I am a member of several "singles specific" discussion forums.  I like to check in to see if there are any interesting conversations going on and in the past I've jumped in and offered my thoughts.  That's it...just my thoughts, my unique opinions on the subject at hand, nothing more and nothing less.  I like to read similar contributions from others...even if they disagree!   Everyone has a contribution to make and conversation is a shared activity. What I've found is that there are a fair number of people who agree with me and an equally fair number who have different perspectives and respectfully offer their own views.  Unfortunately, there a a few who seem to like to "battle it out" on forums instead of having respectful and civil conversations.  There are overly sensitive people who take offense  & instead of making their feelings known, rush away without saying a word.  Some people have their own agendas and push them incessantly as well as a few folks who manage to seem more arrogant & selfish with each new post. There are even some individuals who like to push the envelope of good taste when discussing matters involving sex and want to "kick it up a notch!"   We're all adults here, aren't we?  I think we can discuss it minus the "raunchy" factor. There are flamebaiters and trolls, certain folks who make "ad hominem" attacks on their fellow members and others who are just plain rude!  Would they act this way if they were guests in someone's home?  I hope not! What ever happened to good manners and respecting one's fellows?  Has the notion of maintaining proper etiquette and engaging in civil conversations gone up in a puff of smoke? If the community code is "Be nice!" who enforces it?  Absent and "hands off" administrators/moderators may seem like a good thing, but I think prominent boundaries as to what is acceptable forum behavior should be displayed and used to maintain decorum and keep rowdy or uncivil behavior in check.  Sometimes it seems that the inmates are running the asylum.  I keep asking myself if it's worth it to stay on. Can you imagine what it would be like?  Just a good & simple conversation among friends...like those shared over coffee or a good bottle of wine.  Is that too much to ask?   Do you feel you miss that as well?  Do you have any thoughts on making such a thing happen here on AARP? Thanks for listening!  ~  scrborofaire        (formerly Mimi1921)
Posted by scrborofaire