I would like to share my thoughts as I reach the milestone of one thousand posts (this one's for real!) here at B&B.
This forum is an enjoyable place where knowledge and experience are shared in the most gracious and helpful of ways and where generosity abounds both in spirit and in action. I have several times come across blogs and message boards on which former troublemakers sound off about how bad and unfair this place supposedly is. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such individuals obviously refused to keep the rules laid down by those who administer the site and were on that account terminated.
There is but one thing that I do not enjoy here at B&B and that is when fellow members engage in conduct which is decidedly ungentlemanly. It seems as if there is a more or less constant pushing of the envelope especially as regards sex-related matters. Gentlemen worthy of the name carefully avoid the mention of such things in polite company together with other things such as foul language, arguing about politics and insulting the religion and the clergy of others, to mention a few. If we are striving to be gentlemen here on this forum, then we should have both the sense and the decency to avoid such things entirely. At times these things are blatant, but more often than not they are obliquely woven into an otherwise proper discussion. In all honesty and sincerity, my Friends, the steady introduction of indecent and/or inappropriate material (however cleverly couched) bothers me. We should all take pride in pursuing our common interests on this great forum as gentlemen, who sincerely want to keep not only the letter of the rules, but also their spirit, so as to avoid offending our fellow members at all costs.
What exactly is a gentleman? The American Heritage Dictionary gives the following definition: "A well-mannered and considerate man, with high standards of proper behavior." If we are striving genuinely to be gentlemen, then we should conduct ourselves according to the norms of polite society, regardless of the common practice of the world around us. Otherwise, in all honesty and with due respect, we should refrain both from considering ourselves as "gentlemen" and from passing off our pursuits on this forum as "gentlemanly" ones. Please understand, my Friends, that I do not intend to offer offense to anyone; I merely intend to offer my own thoughts for your consideration.
I hope sincerely that more of us can refrain from such behavior going forward, not only in consideration of the rules of this forum, but also in consideration of the moderators, whose job is thankless and whose time and effort make this forum possible for all of us.
Gentlemen, please share your own thoughts regarding this post.
And now a PIF for all who are interested worldwide. Simply share your own thoughts regarding my reflection above and say that you are in. The winner will be chosen on September 1. Can you guess the prize?
This forum is an enjoyable place where knowledge and experience are shared in the most gracious and helpful of ways and where generosity abounds both in spirit and in action. I have several times come across blogs and message boards on which former troublemakers sound off about how bad and unfair this place supposedly is. Nothing could be further from the truth. Such individuals obviously refused to keep the rules laid down by those who administer the site and were on that account terminated.
There is but one thing that I do not enjoy here at B&B and that is when fellow members engage in conduct which is decidedly ungentlemanly. It seems as if there is a more or less constant pushing of the envelope especially as regards sex-related matters. Gentlemen worthy of the name carefully avoid the mention of such things in polite company together with other things such as foul language, arguing about politics and insulting the religion and the clergy of others, to mention a few. If we are striving to be gentlemen here on this forum, then we should have both the sense and the decency to avoid such things entirely. At times these things are blatant, but more often than not they are obliquely woven into an otherwise proper discussion. In all honesty and sincerity, my Friends, the steady introduction of indecent and/or inappropriate material (however cleverly couched) bothers me. We should all take pride in pursuing our common interests on this great forum as gentlemen, who sincerely want to keep not only the letter of the rules, but also their spirit, so as to avoid offending our fellow members at all costs.
What exactly is a gentleman? The American Heritage Dictionary gives the following definition: "A well-mannered and considerate man, with high standards of proper behavior." If we are striving genuinely to be gentlemen, then we should conduct ourselves according to the norms of polite society, regardless of the common practice of the world around us. Otherwise, in all honesty and with due respect, we should refrain both from considering ourselves as "gentlemen" and from passing off our pursuits on this forum as "gentlemanly" ones. Please understand, my Friends, that I do not intend to offer offense to anyone; I merely intend to offer my own thoughts for your consideration.
I hope sincerely that more of us can refrain from such behavior going forward, not only in consideration of the rules of this forum, but also in consideration of the moderators, whose job is thankless and whose time and effort make this forum possible for all of us.
Gentlemen, please share your own thoughts regarding this post.
And now a PIF for all who are interested worldwide. Simply share your own thoughts regarding my reflection above and say that you are in. The winner will be chosen on September 1. Can you guess the prize?