PSA - The internet, public forums, and you!

YOU AND YOUR DAUGHTERS ROCK!  

That is awesome, I do the same and for the record, it does not bother me if I see someone with young kids leave a cart or an elderly person....or anyone that is disabled for that matter.........

Right on, Deanna. Communication via internet lacks tone of voice and body language, so it can be difficult to discern humor or other subtleties. 

I also agree it's pretty mild around here, even compared to when I joined.

Exactly, Kate. Folks also need to remember that this is an international forum and communication norms are not all alike. Plus, some folks are just more direct than others. My southern husband often has issues with northern Yankee ways, for example. 

 Having lived in the Midwest ( but I'm from the Pacific Northwest), I'm guessing Yankees come off as brusque and cold? 

I've heard transplanted Southerners say some of us are an ill-mannered lot.

My husband would probably say brusque and cold is an understatement. I, on the other hand, appreciate it. Sometimes when I hear him on the phone with a receptionist, I wonder if they are thinking, "get to the damn point already." He definitely meanders his way into a conversation.

Plus, the people on this forum, besides the ones I'm friends with, are just people on the internet I don't know and it's my choice whether to let them hurt me. 

Internet forums can bring out the worst in some people, but being offended by something that someone says in here is like getting your feelings hurt over bathroom graffiti..."WHAT???? SCREW ME??!?!?! HOW DARE THEY?!?!?!".  There's a lot of great information to be found, I just wish I had thought of coming here before surgery, and I appreciate the advice (good or bad) from everyone that takes the time to offer it.  If you're that sensitive, don't post your personal thoughts in a public place if you're afraid that someone might have a different point of view and say something about it.  If that makes me a jerk, than I guess I am.  Some of the vets and folks here spend a lot of time they don't have to answering questions for us newbies.

And, I'm the ass that parks the shopping cart next to my car and lets it roll all over the lot.  I'll still cruise the parking lot for 10 minutes looking for a close parking place, too.  Old habits die hard.