Do you sometimes feel when posting topics or responding to threads that you have to dumb it down at times? Just follow the status-quo and laugh at stuff is somewhat offensive just to avoid conflict?

I have been here for a few days now and have tried to jump around to many topics. I seem to ruffle feathers with some of my ideas and opinions since I tend to post in a very no nonsense, non sugar coated way and very matter-of-fact. I was hoping that people posting here were able to think for themselves with some sort of an open mind and be up for healthy debate. The exchange of ideas is always exciting and leads to expansion of the mind. If you are so set in your ways and unwilling to see things from a different perspective then that's kind of sad. I have met a handful of interesting and intelligent people like sincereman51, Lex, and a few others. I like to debate and say what I'm thinking but I don't consider myself mean, bitter or rude as some have called me. I'm just extremely honest. Maybe sometimes the truth hurts.

Any thoughts on the art of debate or having differences of opinion and still being able to discuss them civilly online? Is it even worth it here or is it a exercise in futility?

NO! No fight! This not about fighting guys Sheesh!

If you are taking about the Boob thread then yes this is the same saturn. I'm not flaming anyone! I'm expressing my opinion, quite eloquently if I do say so myself, on something that caught my attention. So healthy debate and discourse isn't encouraged to avoid conflict? I've yet to insult anyone, use bad language or attack anyone. It's just a difference of opinion.

I didn't explain it for your benefit anouk. I don't think I owe you anything. I just noticed there were some comments about me being bitter and rude. I was just trying to explain my side. I don't like to be misinterpreted.

I'm here in the forum to engage in conversation. I'm here to stimulate my mind and talk to like minded individuals. I hope to inspire conversation and change minds and attitudes. Just as you have the freedom to post your joke, I have the freedom to express why I don't find funny.

I guess my feminist side doesn't really let me just laugh it off and post kissy faces and stuff. I don't feel like some people really realize what they are laughing at. The point is that even though it's humorous on a very superficial level, it's message is completely stereotypical and sexist.

I know that wasn't your intention. I know you didn't give it such a deep thought because you thought it was just a funny little joke you could copy and paste. It's cool. I understand.

I hope you find what you're looking for too!

It happened how it was meant to happen. One life is not better than another. For whatever reason it was her time to go. Your children won't have to bury you. I'm so glad you are alright and I suspect it will take a while for you to process this horrific event. I will send love and positive vibes your way and pray for the woman and her family.

I'm not bitter. Just because I didn't appreciate the joke doesn't mean I'm rude. I meant no offense to anouk. I just have a bad habit of speaking my mind when I don't like something. Seems like that ruffles a few feathers sometimes around here.

I just think the joke was written by someone who is narrow-minded and judgmental. Since some people didn't really see what I saw in this joke, I'll be happy to break it down.

A man that tries to protect a woman from the rat race isn't a male chauvinist in my book. A man that wants to reverse roles and stay home to do housework isn't a pansy. This is 2007. Many couple reverse the roles and it's no longer seen in that light.

If a male coworker of mine gets a promotion I would have to be petty to chalk it up to favoritism. What if he deserves it? Maybe he worked harder to get it. Maybe he has seniority. If I get a promotion just because of equal opportunity then I don't want it. I want it because I worked hard and deserve it.

If a male co-worker compliments my suit, I'd thank him. If he compliments my boobs then that's sexual harassment.

What woman would say a man that cries is a wimp? We ALL cry. If he's a hysterical mess all the time then he might be unstable. Manliness is not defined by bottling your emotions. I thought that silly notion was booted out back in the 1980's!

In any relationship there has to be compromise. If my mate wants me to do something I don't really enjoy, I'd do it out of love, not because I felt "dominated". I'd expect we both would have to do things we don't always want to in a relationship.

If my mate wants to work out and stay in shape I'd hardly call it vanity. I think of it as a requirement for good health. If he's glued to the mirror and kissing his biceps, then maybe he's a little vain.

If a man buys me flowers I'd have to be pretty paranoid and insecure to think it was only because he was after something.

Do you understand now why I think this "joke" is a joke? It's not funny and I don't think anyone that really reads the stereotyping between the lines would think it was so funny either. If you want to just laugh it off go right ahead, but it's not my kind of humor.

Whew! It's getting hot in hurr!

Maybe an iPod? A gift certificate for dvds/cds? What do you "kids" like?

Regardless of whether the account was hacked or not what kind of a girl picks the username iluv2sux?!

Well I didn't work in the actual freezers. I worked in the office as an administrative assistant. Everytime I had to go into the warehouse I would have a bunch of guys trying to talk to me. It really was fun!

Ha! I used to work in a cold storage warehouse and I haven't heard the word "Lumper" in a long time!

Sorry they raped ya bear!

I think if you can't muster a few minutes of pleasantries and are just so above idle chat in the beginning stage then you aren't going to have much luck.

How do you talk to someone you've just met? Do you say "Hi" and launch into a discussion about the French Revolution? You have to have some kind of segue. You chat about your pets if you're at the dog park or ask about the book the other person is holding in their hand. Small talk isn't limited to the weather or sports. You have to start in a comfortable place and get the other person to feel like they can open up and get into more intimate conversation. If you go all Rambo into some intellectual conversation without taking the time to get there you are going to come off like a weirdo.

Congrats, but I don't see the need to leave the forum if you have made friends here. You can always say you are just here for friends. You can post pictures of the 2 of you and let people know in your profile that you are taken. There are several people here that are married or in relationships and just post here for fun. If you want to leave I guess there is no stopping you, but I think it's a bit extreme and probably a bit premature if you aren't even in the same city.

Best of luck though.

That was seriously long, but interesting!

I don't know why but I've always been scared of big trucks. I have nightmares about a semi-truck chasing me! Must be that scary face on the front! Those older models look like 2 eyes and a big mouth coming to swallow you up!

No way. If someone falls in "love" in a week that really shows some emotional issues. There is so much you need to learn about someone before you can really say you are in love and a week just isn't enough for true love. Infatuation, lust, like etc is what it's called. Some people are in love with the thought of being in love. You can't rush or you will almost always regret it.

I am chill. Just being honest. Not my style of humor I guess.

I'm with reptile. *yawn* MySpace bulletin I've seen a million times. Obviously written by a really bitter person. How does this even qualify as relationship advice? This should really be in the jokes section. Although it's very unoriginal and not really funny.

Well said Lex.

This topic has me cracking up because I am imagining sitting on the bus next to someone and just turning to them and asking them some really deep question just to see what they would say.

Oh Man! If I meet a guy that can talk about Scrubs I will definitely be more interested in him and want to know what else he has to say on other subjects.

If I'm on an elevator or in the line at the DMV and some guy wants to discuss the theory of evolution vs. creationism, I would honestly think the guy is a wack job.

Small talk or pleasantries are an icebreaker to quote sincereman. You can't just strike up a deep conversation without establishing a level of comfort with the person you are talking to.