[lily.]

I'd like to politely request that all off-topic threads (including, BH, Zeta & Lounge) are left unlocked for the duration of BB.

I see no valid reason for them to be locked.

No other forum locks up off-topic threads during peak times.

We use our off-topic threads to retreat and chat to friends when we don't want to contribute to on-topic threads.

Would it not make sense to leave these THREE threads as they are? It has been claimed that they are clique-ish and off-putting to new members.

Think about it. If you lock/remove these threads, people will still want to have a chat and a laugh with each other, and they'll end up doing it within the on-topic threads, infiltrating them with off-topic banter.

Wouldn't that be more off-putting to a new member who wishes to discuss BB, and not discuss the personal lives of the people here who already know each other?

New members will do one of two things.. they'll either enter one of these THREE threads, and join in with the banter, or they'll ignore these THREE threads and post in the areas relevant to their interests.

You may note I've used capitalisation on the word 'three' rather often in this post. That was for the purpose of drawing attention to the fact that there are only THREE threads in a forum containing thousands. How can this possibly adversely affect anyone?