First of all, this is not about any significant change in the forums. It is about incremental changes in the forums, which you all know have occurred over the years already as the forum has evolved.

There are several discussions that the moderators are having right now over aspects of the forum and I am posting this because there are many of you who visit regularly whose opinions I feel are important. I will be posting several posts, each specific to a topic. Each will have a poll.

Recently an issue arose over a couple of humor posts which a few people feel were not very tasteful. I personally read them and don't think they were of significance and I OKed them. I stand by that decision.

Poll Question 1: Have you ever been seriously bothered by a joke or 'humour' post here?
Poll Question 2: Do you believe it is possible to have a forum where people can post jokes and 'humourous' posts without someone, somewhere in the world being offended?
Poll Question 3: Do you believe having a forum where people can post humour and jokes is detrimental to this forum?
Poll Question 4: Have YOU ever posted a joke or humour post in the forum?

Question 1 (Please explain in a post): If you HAVE been offended by someones 'joke' or 'humourous post', why do you visit that forum knowing there may be humour posted that offends you?

Question 2 (Please explain in a post): If you feel that a 'humour' forum is inappropriate here, please tell us why.

I am not planing on closing the 'Humour' forum, but I would like your feedback.

People need to either have a sense of humor or go into a corner and die.

I used to be able to laugh in a fire-fight just knowing it would probably be the last of either one.

Krap, I normally make fun of me, Arkansas, the Marines, law enforcement, Southerner's and enjoy the same tossed back.

As I've stated before, I cannot be and I refuse to be offended and I won't intentionally offend anyone.

There are plenty of jokes on bathroom walls, and plenty of bathroom walls to add jokes. We don't need them here.

I think every human being needs to have a sense of humor; but that does not necessarily mean a sense of humor is exchanging jokes that could not be told in the workplace, or that you would be embarrassed or ashamed explaining to an 8-12 year old kid.

Jokes and humor is needed here. But.. if you can't tell it in the workplace, it does not go here.

Brad I hate to disagree, but my children are much more apt to see what is written on a bathroom wall than they are to visit the Cove. I do agree that when we post off topic, it should not be done to insult individuals or to start religious or political fights.

if you can't tell it in the workplace, it does not go here. That's pretty much the standard we have followed, I think. I do not in any way want to open it up to 'anything goes'.

The only problem with the "if you cannot tell it in ther workplace"... litmus test is whose workplace are we going to use? Let me tell you that when I was the design manager/asssistant crew manager for a construction company the jokes were a lot different than when I work part time for my Church. Even at my full time job, the jokes being told at the lunch tables with the production people are a lot different than at the table with the IT folks.

OK - first let me start by saying humor has no place in quality...:notme:", second I have posted a joke or two in the humor thread and I do not remember getting offended by any others (just my own).

I have a simple motto in my life:

If your not having fun doing what your doing you should not be doing it.

I use humor to make up for the fact that I am an idiot, maybe some of you have noticed...but I will say this, like I have said it in the past - if you don't like the topic don't go in and read it.

I joke about everything, all the time. If I did not, I would have hung, shot, or electrocuted myself years ago. Sometimes I get off-color, I'm always regretful of that, but my life has seen some extremes and my manner reflects that. I can't cite this quote but someone, somewhere (smarter than me) said, "Show me a man who knows what's funny and I'll show you a man who knows what's not!"

Last year me and the boss were working on something, I forget what, and I was joking around. He said, "Howard, this is serious!" So I got serious, I gave him a cold hard stare and informed him, "Bossman, you are not qualified to tell me what's serious." He conceded, he said, "No Howard, I'm not nearly qualified to tell you what's serious." Then we moved on and got the job done.

I do agree that when we post off topic, it should not be done to insult individuals or to start religious or political fights.
That is applicable to every individual forum here, and extends to topics in 'business' threads. Insulting individuals or starting personal fights in any thread will never be acceptable here.

I've never been offended by a joke in the forums but there may be someone who is offended by a joke, no matter how innocuous it is. That doesn't mean we should end the joke threads. Those who are sensitive should avoid those threads just like those who are offended by pornography should avoid sites with pornographic content.

I personally might stop visiting this forum alltogether if it becomes "just business". I can find dry info anywhere, it's the camraderie of these forums that makes me come back time after time (and recommend it to others). Part of that camraderie is the freedom to engage in some lighthearted banter/joking, or to debate non-quality related subjects.

If someone is easily offended, they need to stay away from the topics/threads that are obviously going to cause them discomfort (and they are generally clearly marked), and leave the rest of us alone. I'm tired of the "thought police" ruining things for the rest of us. Go away if you have a problem. It's my world too. Get used to it.

Steel has a good point, as far as the workplace test goes. We just went through "sensitivity training" here, and they even talked about how wishing someone "good morning" could be offensive. I do agree that some rules are necessary (some topics are so sensitive they are best avoided, even at family dinners), but I have yet to see them applied in a heavy-handed way here. I think Marc is doing a great job, and his periodic "gentle" reminders are sufficient.

I'm tired of the "thought police" ruining things for the rest of us. Go away if you have a problem. It's my world too. Get used to it.

We just went through "sensitivity training" here, and they even talked about how wishing someone "good morning" could be offensive.


Are you serious? That's about as asinine as it can get. If someone got upset at my saying good morning I'd tell to go have "fun" with a duck.

As for someone telling me how to "think", they can pack sand until they can't sit:lol:

Are you serious? That's about as asinine as it can get. If someone got upset at my saying good morning I'd tell to go have "fun" with a duck.
The world is becoming increasingly bizarre - about three weeks ago a lady berated me at length for holding a door open for her - apparently I was being sexist and condescending. There was me thinking I was being polite, perhaps I require "sensitivity training" as well.

The world is becoming increasingly bizarre - about three weeks ago a lady berated me at length for holding a door open for her - apparently I was being sexist and condescending. There was me thinking I was being polite, perhaps I require "sensitivity training" as well.

The fact that the berating was "at length" is your fault. :tg:

The fact that the berating was "at length" is your fault. :tg:
That's my "tight-ass Brit" upbringing - never interrupt a lady - especially a scary looking one.

I think a good litmus test is - for those participating on the Cove during their employer's time - if a company auditor decided to follow your use of the internet, and they came to the Cove and audited your activities here, would you be in trouble?

The world is becoming increasingly bizarre - about three weeks ago a lady berated me at length for holding a door open for her - apparently I was being sexist and condescending. There was me thinking I was being polite, perhaps I require "sensitivity training" as well.


Was it a "lady" or a female of the species? Big difference.:lol:

The world is becoming increasingly bizarre - about three weeks ago a lady berated me at length for holding a door open for her - apparently I was being sexist and condescending. There was me thinking I was being polite, perhaps I require "sensitivity training" as well.

Wow! What ever happened to saying Thansk! and returning the favor? Of course, that may offend some of the guys I work with...

Bekki

Wow! What ever happened to saying Thansk! and returning the favor? Of course, that may offend some of the guys I work with...

Bekki

:bonk:

Not sure what thansk is but in Michigan we say thanks...:lmao:

Feel free to tell me to shut it now...:whip::sarcasm:

You'd think that by now I'd know how to type, or at least proof my typing!! Sorry about that!

You'd think that by now I'd know how to type, or at least proof my typing!! Sorry about that!

Just thought I would have some fun in this thread as its about the humour thread (at your expense) I am sorry about that...:cool:

Are you serious? That's about as asinine as it can get. If someone got upset at my saying good morning I'd tell to go have "fun" with a duck.

As for someone telling me how to "think", they can pack sand until they can't sit:lol:

See...this is our point. I may not always agree with Randy, but he's got some good stuff! I love this stuff! :cool: