Good point made by Thyra. Another point: in your workplace you most likely gossip and talk about the one you consider to be the a**hole, or anyone who else isn't present at the moment right? Well guess what? When you're not around, your co-workers gossip about you. No one is immune, no one is holier-than-thou, no one is universally loved by all people. Some people even think YOU are the a**hole. What a shock, huh? <BR> <BR>Best to just get on with your business and stay away from backbiting and complaining and such, because what goes around always comes around. Where's there's people, there's politics, and you can't escape it.

God, you guys are something else! <BR>This is mostly directed to Simmer and Quit! <BR>Now it is Nancy's fault because she is too sensitive? <BR>I think all she was trying to say was she was surprised at the way some people get so bent out of shape, and get catty because of assumptions, etc. <BR>Also to XXX, <BR>You said "This is not a place to get a clue" and that Michelle got off easy. <BR>Easy from what ? <BR>Do you guys dish out "punishment" to who ever you fell is undeserving ? <BR>What is this site for, but for people to gather info. <BR>And are you the arbitrator of plans, i.e. Michelle should see the folly of her plan? <BR> <BR>

April, I will amend my statement that "This is not a place to get a clue." I suppose if you enjoy being hacked to bits, and if you feel good about strangers commenting on your parenting and lifestyle choices because you offered them up for comment, this is definitely the place to do a post like Michelle's. In that case, you will be given a clue, and in a hurry! Personally, I didn't dish out the "punishment" Michelle got. I just saw it coming from the instant I read Michelle's post. You didn't?

xxx., <BR>No I didn't see it coming. I didn't realize that that is what some people do on this site! <BR>Why should people who post think that they/what they said will be torn to pieces? <BR>

April, <BR>The reason I saw it coming was that I once searched for the words "baby", "kids" and "children" on the U.S. board. Two threads in particular were amazing. One was on taking a baby to Hawaii; one was on seating kids in the back of the plane. Man, people get really hot about this "kids" issue. Throw in the nanny and the pregnancy, and you are really going to take a beating. Sorry Michelle ran into such a buzzsaw, and it is too bad her friend didn't warn her. <BR>

As harsh as they sound, comments from Simmer, Thyra and Learn are worth chewing on. <BR>Nancy, the reason some people are nasty, of course, is because of the anonymity this site affords. (It can be an interesting study in human interaction at times). <BR>But many of the nasty posters are only responding as such because they are blowing off steam, or pranking, or frustrated with their own lives or some combination thereof. By all means avoid taking ANY of those comments personally. These people don't know you. They can't see the context of your life and personal experiences. <BR>Simply put, extract the good info available here as you see fit and quickly skip past the dross. It just doesn't matter.

There are plenty of jerks and wierdos in any group, since there are so many out there in the world. Let it roll off and move on for goodness sakes!

Thanks Harv, <BR>Nancy

I participate in another question and answer site and we get into discussions like this too from time to time. I don't understand responding to any question in a rude way, whether one thinks it is silly or not. You don't know the person who is asking it. They may really need your help. And informing them of the "truth" in a brutal way seems to be counter to the purpose of the site. I agree it is often best to ignore weird responses, but when there is real meanness (sp) aimed at someone in particular it is hard to stay silent and maybe not for the best. Don't let the people who aren't nice drive you away! I'm sure they are in the minority. Don't let them get you so upset.

<BR>Travel lounge?

thyra and learn to relax <BR>Great messages. Amazing how one can relate!