[Beso]

Originally Posted by caprimint

Why do smilies make people so sensitive

Or lack of them, it's like some people need a smiley for reassurance when they read a post.

[Brother Leon]

I think I’ve only ever used the report button once and that was only because it was double cowardly to be racist via PM.

[Swan]

I find them quite pretentious at times, but not to the point where i see it as an issue. I rarely use them, but don't see them as a problem, so whatever.

[Amy Jade]

Why are people so bothered by little animated pictures?

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Amy Jade

Why are people so bothered by little animated pictures?

Why can’t people post in a serious debate without the need to use childish smilies?

Don’t worry it’s only for serious debates you can still use in other sections of the forum.

[bots]

the thread creator can already choose not to allow smilies

[Ammi]

...I don’t understand how smilies can be thought of as unnecessary and/or offensive while bigoted/prejudice/hateful content is a matter of opinion and an opinion entitlement...smilies are never going to have an impact on anyone’s time or experience here because of their content...

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Smithy

Yes sick of seeing in there

Originally Posted by Smithy

Like a... a... a snowflake?

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...I don’t understand how smilies can be thought of as unnecessary and/or offensive while bigoted/prejudice/hateful content is a matter of opinion and an opinion entitlement...smilies are never going to have an impact on anyone’s time or experience here because of their content...

Do you write a serious letter to someone then add a silly face at the end?

It’s the same members using the same words in a pack mentality that are throwing those accusations at other members.

The Meghan threads are full of those accusations aimed at the same people who in return and rightly so defend themselves and attacking those attacking them

Then we get the thread going off topic.

Are you saying mods and admin are allowing racism on the forum?

[Ammi]

...hmmmm, see with ‘pack mentality‘...I observe more than one ‘pack’...and as said yesterday in that specific thread, I don’t think that any higher ground can be taken...I think it’s less about focusing on how others post and more about how we do ourselves...all of us...

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...hmmmm, see with ‘pack mentality‘...I observe more than one ‘pack’...and as said yesterday in that specific thread, I don’t think that any higher ground can be taken...I think it’s less about focusing on how others post and more about how we do ourselves...all of us...

It appears if anyone agrees with anyone on here they appear to be immediately assigned to a 'pack' so I guess you would also be in a 'pack' Ammi, not that you would want to be or even think you are but that is how some people view things on here

[Liam-]

Originally Posted by Ammi

...I don’t understand how smilies can be thought of as unnecessary and/or offensive while bigoted/prejudice/hateful content is a matter of opinion and an opinion entitlement...smilies are never going to have an impact on anyone’s time or experience here because of their content...

Because people like to read into things and assume what people mean when they use them, it’s quite sad really, sometimes a is just a

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

the thread creator can already choose not to allow smilies

never knew that!

[Nicky91]

in light of honesty, and it being very much on topic

must admit i got told off once by Mods for using smilies in SD, since then i've not used them in here, not in the serious news that is anyway

in celeb news i still use them

[joeysteele]

As a member for over 10 years I don't find the use of these things offensive myself.

I actually have had more difficulty in serious debates for being too serious and passionate in my statements.
Even getting an infraction for defending myself.
The one and only one I got in near 10 years on here at the time.

So in serious debates, I got punished for being serious and defending myself.
Which I'll always do as I've a right to.

I have no problem whatsoever with the use of smilies.

I think, the thing that's always really annoyed me on here.
Is the handclapping thing.

Even moreso when it's the only thing used with no wording, yet classed as a valid counted post too.

However, it happens, and I wouldn't call for it to be banned.

I guess I've posted most of my posts in serious debates in my time on here.
I am a serious person.
However in debates at Uni, and in my work matters too.
Humour can creep in to serious issues and speeches.

I don't find it offensive, so wouldn't support banning or punishing any members for using smilies.
It seems to me, that would perhaps create more division.

A bit more freedom, not control is the better order of the day for me.
We know those who annoy and irritate us on here.
We know if they respond to us, it will be likely mostly unpleasant.

I've learned to accept that myself now.
I don't care who'd now ridicule my posts.

Whether they use smilies or anything else.

As for the comments on reporting.
I wouldn't waste my time on here reporting or appealing anything because frankly I see no point.
You'd likely get nowhere.
As some faces fit on here and others don't.

This seems a thread designed to open up honesty from the point of the OP and who made it.
It's discussions like this, we need on here.
I've used in part this thread, to put my points across the board.
With no smilies.

In fact I rarely use anything on here other than words.
Usually criticised, at times rightly, for using too many words.

Perhaps, in fact, had I only used smilies, rather than defend myself, I'd still be infraction free after over 10 years.

[Niamh.]

I'm going to close this now as it's just turning in to a thread to insult each other