Why are people on here so mean???!?

I thought we're all on here for basically the same reason: to reach/maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise and to be ultimately be HAPPY!  Every time I read the forums, there are always people being so mean to other people.  I can't stand it!!  If you don't like the topic being discussed, keep it to yourself and don't comment.  We post these forums for support, advice, and opinions.  I also feel there are nice ways to tell someone that you don't think what they are doing is smart, healthy, etc.  But bashing someone and just being plain mean is never going to help them.  Most of the people that are mean are the same people being mean every time.  And in MY opinion, that can't be healthy.

I just wish that people would be nicer and more encouraging.  So you mean jerks out there, you know who you are...so STOP IT!!! : )

*Thanks for letting me get that out* : )

I think that if you post a forum you are asking for opinions weather they be what you want to hear or not you are inviting anyone to respond. You should know that some people aren't going to agree with you and be prepared to take the criticism.

If you feel you are sensitive or the material is sensitive why not ask a close friend or family member instead of posting on a forum.

There are also many trolls that come in here for entertainment at the "fat girl's" expense.  They post bombastic statements and then intentionally argue.  I do not say this to justify flaming.  I am merely pointing out that this does occur daily.  I can provide examples.

There are many trolls that come here to play at anyone's expense.  They'll post or respond to a post just to get a reaction.  It's best not to play with suspected trolls and leave them to be bored.  Any topic that gets a reaction is what they're seeking.  Some are teenagers who are bored, some are grown ups who should know better.  Please flag any post that you suspect is a troll and send the link via a PM to a moderator or the "contact us" link.

Nicolewolf, I agree with you, but sometimes it's confusing. For instance, in the Lounge yesterday, someone wrote about funny revenge, and a bunch of people jumped all over her posting. Some said they hoped for her to grow up, or that karma was going to get her...I mean, it was taken way out of context, at least in my eyes. The OP just wanted to hear other funny, harmless revenge stories. Half the posters could have just passed over it. It's was just unnecessary commenting on their part, and off-topic.

Original Post by bettypage4:

There are also many trolls that come in here for entertainment at the "fat girl's" expense.  They post bombastic statements and then intentionally argue.  I do not say this to justify flaming.  I am merely pointing out that this does occur daily.  I can provide examples.

i think this is a misinterpretation.  i don't think most of the trolls (and if you consider me one, fine, but i'm not.  more often i'm the one who gets hooked) are targeting fat girls.  i think they're just pushing buttons to see what gets a reaction.  sometimes it's size, but just as often its politics, religion, or gender.  i was reeled in by a patriotism lure the other day (thanks, ness).

Or, ha, the one about the 23 y.o. woman sleeping with her older boss and being a "professional wife" - that one was very amusing. To me.

unfortunately, cst, i don't think that one was a troll.  i think that was a troubled little girl looking for (and NOT finding) validation.

I try not to be rude.  I am blunt.  I always have been.  My husband has spent the last 19 years trying to teach me how to be tactful.  I am better than I use to be but sometimes, like with the teenagers who don't seem to get that at 5 foot 6 weighing 100 lbs is not healthy, I get a little peeved.  I can be extreamly blunt then.  But, its out of kindness that I am.  Im blunt because being nice doesn't seem to get the message through. 

As to the trolls on the website.  I haven't seen any trolls.  I know trolls.  The girl who realized she was being paid to sleep with her boss was not a troll.  She was a young woman coming to an ah ha moment in her life and she wanted desperatly for someone to say, no your good, don't worry about it. 

Ive seen trolls.  I use to spend a lot of time with a friend of mine in a chat room for big beautiful women.  We were there to support each other and half the time there were more men than their were women.  They were either there to make fun of the big girls or there because they have a big girl fetish.   Those were trolls.  What we have here, are people looking for help and advice.  Apparently though, if you mention the S E X word everyone gets up in arms and says oh you must be a troll. 

But, back to the people who are rude.  90 percent of the time, they wouldn't be rude face to face.  The internet gives them anominity that allows them to act like jerks.

you got my point...

It's my nature, and if it means anything, I truly am sorry.

I understand now about the professional wife poster. Hey m_c_85, I can be super trolly sometimes, too!