This is one of your best DCT columns, Splinter . Keep them coming!

(Do we recognize any forum or person?)

On the other hand, swimming around happily in my antediluvian muck, wondering when my gills are going to transform into lungs so that I can someday walk on land - at no time have I ever considered joining Facebook, Twitter, Smitter, or any of the other "strip yourself naked and walk down Main Street so that folks you don't know can comment snarkily on how age has not improved your looks" apps.

In total agreement. Anonymity is bliss.

If I wish to get unwanted criticism, I can depend on family. Don't need strangers' help for that.

My take on Internet arguments (which I have on exceedingly rare occasions engaged in, myself):

The only winning move is not to play.

I've been suspended twice from a 'frequent flyer' forum and am currently on my last warning. Seems other members especially the faux Champagne Charlie brigade have taken umbrage at my taking the piss out of them.

How can you take someone who complains loudly about the brands of Champagne available in the First Class executive lounge seriously especially when they're not even paying for their ticket.

That’s so bizarre. Complaining about such High Class Problems is a good example of how people become wrapped up in their own petty world.

Quote from Rice

That’s so bizarre. Complaining about such High Class Problems is a good example of how people become wrapped up in their own petty world.

They're obviously very thin skinned as my comments aren't exactly nasty....along the same lines as yours I quoted. Having airline status seems to make them feel they are far superior beings than the normal traveller. It's a bizarre place.

Quote from Splinter

I'm just glad that we decided to make this forum an easy going place, free from Stalinist moderation.

The only people that have been banned from this place so far, have been the robot spammers.

Glad you did.

I suppose much depends on the topic of the forum and type of people it is likely to attract.

True, UK Man , but of the two Argentina / BA expat forums,presumably likely to attract similar audiences, I'm glad ours doesn't have the personal attacks and vitriolic backbiting that infected the other one from its inception.

Quote from Rice

True, UK Man , but of the two Argentina / BA expat forums,presumably likely to attract similar audiences, I'm glad ours doesn't have the personal attacks and vitriolic backbiting that infected the other one from its inception.

I never got involved too much in the other forum. Am I right in saying most of the troublemakers weren't even expats? If so then they should have been barred.

Trouble with internet forums is you can be anybody you want to be. On the airline forum I frequent most of the troublemakers aren't exactly who they make themselves out to be. In fact there seems to be a rumour that certain airline companies are now employing people to post negative experience stories on their competitors forums.

Well THAT'S dirty pool, for sure. Kind of the dark version of restaurants posting great reviews of themselves (in the guise of ordinary diners) on food and travel sites.

About the Other Place, I can immediately think of one mud wrestler there who isn't an expat - no big deal, except that he posts regularly to make sure everyone knew about the services he offers. Of the others constantly spoiling for fights, most seem to be either expats or former expats who have sought greener pastures but haven't cut the umbilical cord and moved on from the forum.