Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Take a Breath...

Take a Breath Before You React
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There has been considerable discussion about how to handle sensitive issues on the Lounge Forum, ie politics, religion, gun control, racism, sexist remarks, etc. Some of the threads and subsequent conversation gets pretty heated as members espouse their thoughts, ideas and opinions.

I can barely think of a topic, like the ones mentioned above, where once words start flying someone won't be offended or experience hurt feelings. We live in a verbally outspoken society. At times the Lounge Forum is a perfect example of that.

Before you get yourself involved in a thread that might make your blood boil (unless that is what you are after), think before you speak. Breathe before you react. Decide whether you're up for the dialogue or whether you'd rather skip the thread entirely or move onto something else.

See the lounge as either a multi-faceted magazine you subscribe to by choice or as junk mail you toss in the recycle bin; or stuff into your wet riding boots. One member's junk is another's treasure or reading pleasure.

Touchy subjects come and go. We are not in the business of censorship--after all we are motorcycle riders. We make a concerted effort to encourage all members to adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy when posting threads, replies, and photos. Another thing to take into consideration is we can't always convey emotion accurately through simple text. The person's post you are reading just might not have meant it the way you are reading it. Yet another reason to think first.

We don't want to lose members to other sites/forums due to puerile "he said/she said" rantings. Please, choose your battles and discussions wisely. And please, don't base your decision on whether to leave or remain a member or browser on BA.com, on whether one thread or another annoys or disappoints you.

There is a vault of knowledge to employ. Good exchanges and some really great information in the forums that deal directly with our motorcycles and riding them. There is some really good discussion in the lounge too.

We are brought together--Triumph bound--that's our common bond. It's about the ride. That's what brought us here. Let it be the thing that keeps us here.

mert

How very eloquently stated Mert. Bravo! I believe the same rules should apply in everyday situations as well, but alas, such is not life.

Way to go, Mert.

Que sera, sera.

yea, yea, yea, sure, ok... now back to the arguing, bickering and name calling just kidding

Soren

very well put mert,and that is the reason the lounge is the last place I visit when I log on and very rarely stay long.I'm very passionate about a lot subjects but swing by here exclusively for light discussion about bikes and a few a laughs.I love this site and the purpose it serves for me.
enjoy,
mike

Shari,

In a way I agree with you. Yep, take a sec and think about what you are typing and how it is going to be perceived. You don't get the benefit of facial expression, vocal timber and tone with the written word. So, if you're writing in such a way that it falls in acceptable debate and discussion have at it. Doesn't matter if anybody agress with your point of view or not if it is presented without personal attacks and the like.

I just think some of the responsibility needs to be put on the reader as well. It's ok to be passionate, get angry etc. so lng as your actions still fall into accepted levels of decorum.

I guess I just don't want to see things around here fall into the "PC", spoon fed mush, oh my god I may have inadvertantly offended someone garbage we see everhere else in our lives. If it ticks you off respond, or not. Just if you do stick to the point and subject matter and take NO personal shots at people that may disagree with you.

OK, now that I re-read your post I guess I do agree with you. Well said. Now I'll just shut up.

You pretty much nailed it air guy. The idea is that the responsability falls to the reader and writer! Think about what you read before you write

Edit: Of course now that I've met you I CAN picture you saying it!!!

Did someone mention the (spit) French? Hmmmm.

Would You? Would Eye?

PC.......equals BS.

Well, some of us are mods and some of us are Rockers
rock on.
Mike

Yes mother,can I go out and play now...
ModelMaker

Yeah, I usually think...would I "say" what I am about to "write" if I were standing face-to-face with the person?
That usually helps me temper my statements and be a little nicer. Although, I understand that wouldn't matter one bit with some.

I got to a point where some topics were offensive to me. I stopped reading them. I even stopped going to the lounge. I kept reading the Rides bit because the Oop North run was coming up.
However I came to this group because of offensive comments in another Triumph group. I occasionally stick my head in to the other group, and some comments are still nearly as bad. Sometimes anyway...

I sit and think about what I'm going to write, preview it, and then walk away, make a coffee and come back and re-read it. If I feel that it's inappropriate I'll either delete it or completely re-write it.
Unless it's a one word or sarky reply...
I would not post anything that I would find offensive to me. However I'm an old-style out-and-out hippy. Just young with it. And veggie...
I'd just like to ask that people do think before they post. It's a fantastic group and I'd like to think of you all as friends, no matter what your politics, religion, and other stuff you believe in or don't believe in. I'm not a sensitive person, and do respect other views.

Just think of others. It is an international forum and what is seen as normal in one country is not necessarily good for another...

Shari - I appreciate your comments...

And that took 25 minutes to think about...Several breaths!

Another coffee and out for a ride before the rain returns I think.

I have been on forums where a breath could not be taken with the intent of espousing an opinion that was "All American" by the standards I grew up with and have been accustomed to since day one.

Those forums were moderated by "nazis"

This may be an international forum but its still largely an American audience here. Its also a forum about bikes and as such the flavor should be a lot less politically wimpy than others.

This is not the San Francisco Gay bar and bath house Triumph Forum anyway.....I hope.

As long as we can flay away at one another and have some fun its no harm and no foul.

I would suggest that the Europeans amongst us who care little about American politics simply not read the political posts.

I think we are by and large very respectful of all our European neghbors ....by and large except of course for the (spit) french. Frogs dont ride bikes anyway do they?

It's amazing how the written word will make your blood boil! Taking time to reflect is cool if its in your nature, but what the heck, we're all adults here , right? The reason I embrace the biker lifestyle is freedom, I was one of the lucky ones that was never hung up on what people think of me, so I usually say what i think, So that said, I apologise if i've offended anyone, and to anyone i offend in the future. Like I said we're all adults right? so let's lighen up and get over it.

Shari, well written and good advice. More than once, my big mouth has gotten me in trouble. These days, I try to use my noggin before I react!


Keith, this board will NEVER be PC if I have anything to say about it.

Another thing to remember, there are plenty of forums out there where politics and religion are banned, period. Even in the "off topic" sections! I think it's great we don't have to worry about being PC, but we should still try not to offend, and try not to be offended by something that may not have been intended to offend. If something looks like it was intended to offend, it will be smitten!

HEY!

Like I said before on another thread recently....I CAN'T STAND "OPINIONAHOLICS"!!!

(I've thrown out all the mirrors at my place, BTW)

But cha know, they DO add a little spice to this otherwise boring freakin' world, don't they?!

Cheers,
Dwight
(VIVA LE FORUM!!!....oh sorry Kevin....that was FRENCH [spit], wasn't it?!)

(breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out,)

Nevermind.....

Well Kev, ol' chum! I DO agree with SOME of your opinions, anyway!

I ONLY drink wine that's produced in my home state of CALIFORNIA...AND that's been approved for consumption by the ACLU!!!

I say...SCREW the FRENCH(spit)!!!

Cheers,
Dwight
(at least there's an accord on SOMETHIN' around here, huh guys?)

Interesting. Who was the secretary of defense in the GoT?

Gotta have an agressive SOD to take care of contingencies and war plans against the HN (harley nation).

I've said it before and I'll say it again, well said Shari!

I never worry about offending anyone. No need.

I am right and everyone else is wrong..PERIOD. If you have a problem with that I suggest you get some therapy and learn to deal with it.

I said it before and I will say it again.

ARSENAL are brilliant, everyoine else is crap.
RED Bikes go faster then all other colors, Dont argue with that, because YOU are wrong.
Football is Football is Football, not that silly hand ball game you boys play over here. And it is the ONLY Sport.
Real Beer is dark,
NASCAR is for people who dont understand real racing.
and
and
and

Oooh, gotta go. There are some men in a white coats at the door.

Sorry,

Went outside and took some breathing exercises. I feel better now.

Well said Mert. I tottally agree.

I'm so happy can't write and speak english or american english and can't speak french as well(thanks God)

I can't be offensive

that's, om shanti shanti shanti o,m to you Grump.

mert

Like Phil said. This is not a PC forum. PC is the most contrived language anyone can speak. Before you figure out how not to say what it is that you want to say; you wind up saying a whole bunch of laundered nonsense that is so polite it's offensive.

This is a great place for expression--most of us wouldn't be here if it weren't.

Like Gina, I have a little of the earthycrunchyhippietriumphchick thing going on too and i no longer wonder "why we all can't just get along"--because we can't that's why. I just like to ride and live the path of least resistance whenever possible.

If that means not reading a thread about guns or farts that's my prerogative. and yours too.

later on all...and please. don't have a PC day.

yours,
mert

Wow Mert...You used guns & farts in the same sentence. I knew I rubbed off on you.

jr,

you were my inspiration for that line.

mert

awwww.....thanks.

Shari, Don't underestimate yourself, I think you have more the a little earthycrunchyhippietriumphchick going on!

Salmagie.

Here is my prediction for next week. Barcelona will dominate the game, particually the first half. But in the second half Arsenal will find their form, loose the nerves and Henry will be the man of the match with a touch of sheer magic that will win the game 1-0.

Of course, I have been wrong before, I will never bet on Arsenal. Never have, never will. But i cant help but think that their name is already written on the cup.

Ive crossed everything i have to cross. Sacrificed the neighboughs cat to the football gods, danced a dance and I have promised the gods that I will finally live a respectful life if I can just have this one day of glory.

7 days to go and already I am a nervous wreck. Im not sure if I can make it. Supporting Arsenal never has been easy.

Incidently, talked to my brother. Hes got his ticket for Paris. The Lucky sod. Its at times like this that I really miss living in England.

Yeah, great . Now these two have highjacked the the thread and turned it to kickball .

And your problem is.

Up the Gunners.

Hey Salmagie. Did you see the final game at Highbury last weekend. Arsenal v Wigan. 4-2, what a game, and they say football is boring. 4-2...thats err, 28-14.

Can't say I can agree with your prediction, but then Arsenal wasn't supposed to make it this far so anything can happen.

Well at least they qualified for next year's Champion's League by finishing 4th in the EPL on the last day of the season, so they won't have the added pressure of having to win this match to qualify. Btw, I sure enjoyed watching the last match at Highbury. The fans were in fine form and really stepped up their game for this historic moment. Nice show of class too by handing out "I was there" t-shirts to Wigan supporters in their blue team colors.

Tottenham's whine for an appeal and a replay of their match with West Ham won't be approved IMO. I think that's a 1,000:1 long shot.

Is you brother a chef at a certain hotel in East London?

And since the topic is Arsenal....what do you think of Theo Walcott being named to the World Cup team? I thought it was foolish to waste a pick on Walcott, who hasn't played a match yet in the Premiership, over someone like DeFoe with his experience. Especially with Rooney out, and Owen yet to show he's 100%.