Bad Language. A Reminder.

[Jen-in-Wellies]

We have seen an increase in posts that have been complained about for personal attacks and insults on other members and/or the use of bad language.

The moderators would like to remind all members of the forum Rules and Guidelines. They are there to make the forum a pleasant place to be for all its users.
There are a couple of sentences in the Ethos section we would like to draw your attention to.

Quote

"To ensure we provide an enjoyable and safe platform for everyone, it is expected that members be respectful and civil in all communications on the site. CWDF provides an inclusive online waterways related environment suitable for all ages and the nature of the language and images used must reflect this."

So, no personal attacks on other members. No matter how upset you've got. This should go without saying.

On bad language, if you can say something without using it, then do so. Different people have different tolerances for different words and what may to you seem a perfectly fine thing to say will not be for others.
The moderators have a liking for OFCOM's research on acceptable language in broadcasting. This is based on a lot of research they have carried out in the UK on what most people currently find acceptable and what they do not. It covers not only swearing, but derogatory terms on race, politics, mental health, sexuality, disability and so on. CWDF is not a broadcaster and not covered by OFCOM, but we have found their guide to be a good basis to work to.

 

• We don't want to see any of the words in the severe category.
• We probably won't allow any word in the medium category.
• The mild category should be necessary and appropriate to the discussion, but try and avoid if you can. You'll almost certainly be able to make your point without using it.

 

If in doubt about a word, don't use it. Up to now we have been bowdlerising reported bad language. We have the option to use further sanctions for repeat offenders. It's something we take seriously. Don't rile up the Mods!

 

[IanD]

17 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

We have seen an increase in posts that have been complained about for personal attacks and insults on other members and/or the use of bad language.

The moderators would like to remind all members of the forum Rules and Guidelines. They are there to make the forum a pleasant place to be for all its users.
There are a couple of sentences in the Ethos section we would like to draw your attention to.

So, no personal attacks on other members. No matter how upset you've got. This should go without saying.

On bad language, if you can say something without using it, then do so. Different people have different tolerances for different words and what may to you seem a perfectly fine thing to say will not be for others.
The moderators have a liking for OFCOM's research on acceptable language in broadcasting. This is based on a lot of research they have carried out in the UK on what most people currently find acceptable and what they do not. It covers not only swearing, but derogatory terms on race, politics, mental health, sexuality, disability and so on. CWDF is not a broadcaster and not covered by OFCOM, but we have found their guide to be a good basis to work to.

 

• We don't want to see any of the words in the severe category.
• We probably won't allow any word in the medium category.
• The mild category should be necessary and appropriate to the discussion, but try and avoid if you can. You'll almost certainly be able to make your point without using it.

 

If in doubt about a word, don't use it. Up to now we have been bowdlerising reported bad language. We have the option to use further sanctions for repeat offenders. It's something we take seriously. Don't rile up the Mods!

 

Never mind bad language, there are some posters whose contributions consist of very little other than personal attacks... 😞

[frangar]

18 minutes ago, IanD said:

Never mind bad language, there are some posters whose contributions consist of very little other than personal attacks... 😞

And there are some posters that throughly deserve it!

[MtB]

47 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

So, no personal attacks on other members. No matter how upset you've got. This should go without saying.

 

Has there been a change in policy then? 

 

Last (and only, I think) time I reported a personal attack on me Athy rejected my complaint, commenting that what the poster had written was factually correct, so the post stands. Which faintly amused me. 

 

On the one hand we are exhorted from time to time to stick to the rules, but when I report a breach of the rules the report tends to be rejected or treated flippantly, so nowadays I don't bother. 

 

 

P.S. I think I'd reported a post by Higgs calling me a "sanctimonious prig", or something along those lines  ... I suppose he had a point.

 

 

Edited August 28, 2023 by MtB

[restlessnomad]

I think personal attack have never been enforced, but it should. 

No view on bad language, some of them do add colour to conversation.

 

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

 

 

sounds like those who give offence are  quick to cry to the mods when they can’t take it themselves,

 

 

[Jen-in-Wellies]

2 minutes ago, restlessnomad said:

No view on bad language, some of them do add colour to conversation.

I was going to write, "don't use any word you wouldn't have said in front of your grandmother", but I don't doubt that there are people on here whose grandmothers habitually swore like wounded pirates, so that was never going to work.

[matty40s]

5 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

I was going to write, "don't use any word you wouldn't have said in front of your grandmother",

I was 6 when my grandmother died, and we all had to sit silently in the parlour when we visited the grandparents house so bugger that.

[ditchcrawler]

At one time we had a school girl who was a regular contributor. I know the langue that kids use, but what would you say in front of a 13 year old girl. I think her name was Wooly or something similar 

[restlessnomad]

10 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

I was going to write, "don't use any word you wouldn't have said in front of your grandmother", but I don't doubt that there are people on here whose grandmothers habitually swore like wounded pirates, so that was never going to work.

i have been notified for using f-word, probably forum software flagged. I am a fan of using f-word as qualifier.

 

Anyway, I do want a crackdown on personal attack, no matter how tempting it is, one should not do it and consider it as weakness of character.(and we do fail time to time, its a failure nevertheless)

However its so prevalent on this forum, we probably need a start date of such enforcement. Otherwise people will complain, 'why did you not act upon xyz comment posted 2 days ago'?

Edited August 28, 2023 by restlessnomad

[Alan de Enfield]

22 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said:

At one time we had a school girl who was a regular contributor. I know the langue that kids use, but what would you say in front of a 13 year old girl. I think her name was Wooly or something similar 

 

 

'Wooly Jumper' -

Sorry, wrong thread, thats for the 'rust' thread

[Guest]

Well that should effectively kill the activity in the politics section which is currently pretty well 99% personal attacks and very little actual debate.

 

Unless of course the politics section is going to continue its apparent excemption from moderation.

[TheBiscuits]

Just now, M_JG said:

Well that should effectively kill the activity in the politics section which is currently pretty well 99% personal attacks and very little actual debate.

 

There plenty of mass debaters in there though ...

[blackrose]

1 hour ago, MtB said:

Last (and only, I think) time I reported a personal attack on me Athy rejected my complaint, commenting that what the poster had written was factually correct, so the post stands. Which faintly amused me. 

 

He does have a rather odd outlook when it comes to personal interactions, generally preferring to exacerbate any potential conflict rather than trying to pacify it - a rather strange position for a moderator. Sometimes it was actually him starting the arguments! 

[beerbeerbeerbeerbeer]

10 minutes ago, M_JG said:

the politics section which is currently pretty well 99% personal attacks and very little actual debate.

 

very much like out here in the real world then,

 

 

 

Edited August 28, 2023 by Goliath

[blackrose]

I got told off recently for using the word tw@t in a post when referring to a TV presenter. Apparently there had been complaints. I can't help thinking that anyone who finds that particular word offensive in this day and age when it's not directed at them must have led a very sheltered life.

Edited August 28, 2023 by blackrose

[magnetman]

56 minutes ago, Jen-in-Wellies said:

I was going to write, "don't use any word you wouldn't have said in front of your grandmother", but I don't doubt that there are people on here whose grandmothers habitually swore like wounded pirates, so that was never going to work.

All my family members use rude language very liberally including my children. 

 

I have always used the c and f words since they were little. It is normal for us and their mum is French and uses all her rude ones as well. 

 

I did explain to the kids that some people take a fence and you have to be careful but yes a lot of people view it as normal. 

 

My parents were terrible for it when I was a kid the dad calling the mother a 'c...' and her telling him to 'f... off' 

 

One gets used to these things. 

 

I'll try harder not to post s... on here out of respect for the more prudish. 

 

 

 

 

[LadyG]

10 minutes ago, blackrose said:

I got told off recently for using the word tw@t in a post when referring to a TV presenter. Apparently there had been complaints. I can't help thinking that anyone who finds that particular word offensive in this day and age when it's not directed at them must have led a very sheltered life.

It's considered to be swearing in some parts of the country apparently. It's a four letter word, though not Anglo Saxon. 

I believe @Athy has led a very sheltered ! life.

Edited August 28, 2023 by LadyG

[magnetman]

10 minutes ago, blackrose said:

I got told off recently for using the word tw@t 

Can I ask out of interest why you added the extra 't' at the end? 

 

 

Tw@ seems better. 

[wandering]

The C word is a term of endearment where I'm from... 😂

[Jerra]

1 hour ago, restlessnomad said:

I think personal attack have never been enforced, but it should. 

No view on bad language, some of them do add colour to conversation.

 

MY problem is what is considered bad language.  For example, in a recent discussion on toilets, we were told not to use the four letter word for feaces.  I have heard the four letter version used in public and on TV but it would appear it is unacceptable on here.

 

Equally using the first two letters then 1 and then the last letter has, for the 12 years or so I have been a member, been accepted.   If it is why object to the usual word they both look the same.

 

There are times when moderation has driven me away for two or three months, if things get any sillier I will have to give myself another break.

 

 

[magnetman]

You are supposed to read it as "S H one T"

 

 

[restlessnomad]

4 minutes ago, Jerra said:

MY problem is what is considered bad language.  For example, in a recent discussion on toilets, we were told not to use the four letter word for feaces.  I have heard the four letter version used in public and on TV but it would appear it is unacceptable on here.

 

Equally using the first two letters then 1 and then the last letter has, for the 12 years or so I have been a member, been accepted.   If it is why object to the usual word they both look the same.

 

There are times when moderation has driven me away for two or three months, if things get any sillier I will have to give myself another break.

 

 

moderating is hard, one needs to use judgement while being impartial. You dont want to be too harsh, else you will drive away traffic to rival forums. But you also dont want it to be free for all. Also its an unpaid job.

which is why I hardly ever get upset about moderators, they are doing their best, am sure. 

[1st ade]

8 minutes ago, blackrose said:

I got told off recently for using the word tw@t in a post when referring to a TV presenter. Apparently there had been complaints. I can't help thinking that anyone who finds that particular word offensive in this day and age when it's not directed at them must have led a very sheltered life.

See Ofcom Guidance as linked to by Jen - "The moderators have a liking for OFCOM's research on acceptable language in broadcasting." - You may (or may not) find it offensive - I may (or may not) find it offensive. Tw@t is in the "moderate" category from Ofcom which I treat as "depending on context" (and thanks for the side discussion while I was typing on the merits of Tw@ versus Tw@t)

 

From a personal perspective (not as a Mod) the forum would improve if language was kept reasonable - there are other, less offensive words than S#!t for what comes out of a pump out; use them!

[Alan de Enfield]

19 minutes ago, wandering said:

The C word is a term of endearment where I'm from... 😂

 

  30 minutes ago, blackrose said:

I got told off recently for using the word tw@t in a post when referring to a TV presenter

 

 

 

It is a slang term for a woman's sexual organ and used in the same context as the C word

Edited August 28, 2023 by Alan de Enfield