I get that Mayaness, and I'm speaking very broadly here, not just about this thread. I'm just getting really sick and tired of people posting their opinion (on ANY given subject), and instead of people taking it for what it is and discussing it like adults, they jump to the conclusion that they must be under attack or criticism purely because Opinion A is different to theirs (or Experience/Anecdote/Evidence A is different to theirs).
It's why I'm not posting a lot lately - I can't be bothered to say something, then in the same post essentially take it back and add endless 'buts' and assuage people who can't see my opinions for what they are - AN OPINION. That is mine. That isn't wrong, just different.
I know you're being facetious but you know what I was getting at with my use of the word 'rule' (and I did use quotation marks to show I was using the term very loosely). What I mean by that is - if you read something you find 'offensive' to your sensibilities, try to realise that we're not talking about you specifically and, tbh, don't really mind much about whether you can relate to our experiences or not - that's your business. I'm just tired of not being able to say, 'The sky is cloudy' without someone saying, 'It is not, is it a fine, sunny day from where I'm standing and I find it insulting that you would suggest otherwise'.

Whenever I say something, here or IRL, I am speaking in generalisations UNLESS I specifically state that I am referring to myself or someone else. Why is anecdote automatically assumed to be an attack on someone who has experienced something different? We're all welcome to put forth differing opinions, that's what makes this place great, but I'm losing patience with this constant need for people to 'feel judged/attacked'... I mean, come on. We're not in high school here - get over yourselves and take these sorts of threads for what they intend to be (a grown-up and mainly light-hearted discussion involving personal experiences and ideas you may or may not agree with), instead of derailing them into the train wrecks of 'I feel judged' or 'You're just ignorant' that they seem to be becoming more and more these days

i really agree with this post. im relatively new to this forum, but here is what i have seen so far. (kinda off topic)

it seems that there is always someone ready to turn someones words/experience/opinion into a criticism, and jump on the "im offended" bandwagon. even if this was clearly not the intent.
as this thread gets longer and longer, posts seem to be getting written much more carefully.many appear to be walking on egg shells, trying very hard not to "offend" anyone.
then someone "slips up". by slipping up,i mean someone says something that can be (if the reader chooses)taken the wrong way. when it is in fact just thier experience/opinion. then the poster gets made to feel awful for stating thier opinion. Are we seriously expected to know everyones thoughts on the topic???
so then come the apologies and clarification posts...backing the trucks up.
i dont think anyone should have to apologise for stating an opinion when it isnt personally directed at anyone. we shouldnt have to be "careful" with what we write. as long as we arent cursing and personally "attacking" someone, then we should respect and appreciate everyones input.
No one should be made to feel that thier opinion is any less valid that someone elses.