Finger smilie

Should we get rid of the finger smilie from the Introduction lounge.

Two recent incidents of newbies joining the site asking for help whilst giving the finger

Just seems a bit off and if the finger smilie isn't there it can't be used.

Most newbies including myself when I first found AO didn't understand forum etiquette

and in both incidents I've seen I believe this was the case

can we get rid of it in the intro lounge

I agree Happy man, its a bit off on an introductory post :borg:

[Ronald]

In light of a recent thread which railed against the use of certain words employing different characters to get around the censor, and the downward trend in the language used here (using these aforementioned words) in recent times, would it not make sense to do away with that particular 'smilie' (term used very loosely) altogether?

I'm not too fond of the 'vomit' smilie either (another oxymoron, I'm afraid)...

However, I am against the concept of censorship in the first place, but as the above-mentioned thread pointed out, this IS a family forum, and, I always like to think, just that bit different to an Escort/Saxo forum...

If I'm out of line, please say so... it's late, and I should probably have my warm milk and go to bed...

Regards,

Ron

[zulu ferret]

Lighten up Chaps, they are all in fun, or so I thought. So serious : AO isn't as straight laced as other enthusiasts marques forums are, or is it?

The recent poll that BF did was fairly even but ended 29 -24 in favour of keeping it. I agree with HM on it looking very wrong in the introduction lounge especially.
I don't see a removal of a choice as censorship, if we are not in favour of censorship we would have to allow anything to be posted her from where ever it may be found. It's a matter of where you draw your own personal line, I wouldn't give the finger or any other gesture to anyone personally so obviously I see no place for it here.

[zulu ferret]

Bothers the likes of myself not in the slightest. In it, or out it, hardly notice it, and therefore would not miss it one way or 'tother.

[Ronald]

Well put, ZF.

'Night, all!

[zulu ferret]

Night Mate, reckon it's time for this Coventry type to exit shortly as well.

[BigFoot]

I put a poll about it recently but the No vote won

Originally Posted by BigFoot

I put a poll about it recently but the No vote won

Happy man was asking for it to be removed from the Introduction lounge not from the Smilie list BF

[zulu ferret]

No different from the Chad character that was used moons ago. Or does it imply something else in today's learned contemporaries book?

[mudhut]

Thought that was a reference to "careless talk costs lives" thing ZF. I guess I've had that wrong all this time then!


Edit: Have just looked this up - there's much more to it than I thought and the idea above (that I think I got from my mum) isn't really correct at all.

[Al Faromeo]

I have the distinct impression that the community as a whole takes well care of breaches of forum mores - smilie-related and otherwise. I do not like that particular smilie but it has its uses. Leave it in I say, and let the forum community and the moderators do their thing.
Repression never did anyone any good.

We had this discussion before didn't we? Personally I don't like it and tend to avoid the posts with those as I feel the poster was an idiot.

BUT, last time we debated this everyone went on about free to say whatever you want and all that, but what would I know, I have been given 4 infractions for 1 post so better not get involved,

[PaulR]

Sorry but I have no idea what the "finger" smiley (smilie) is - although I can, of course, imagine.

I don't tend to notice any of them tbh - many (not all) appear to be on the level of a 12 year old mentality. So why worry?

Paul.

[alfaspence]

just remove it....

can't be argued about then, can it

[baby278278]

Originally Posted by alfaspence

just remove it....

can't be argued about then, can it

agreed

[Kelly]

Doesn't bother me if it's removed or not

My Point was that new forum members don't understand that giving the finger then asking for help may not meet with a favorable response

Nothing against that smilie Don't use it personnally

[mudhut]

Originally Posted by happy man

My Point was that new forum members don't understand that giving the finger then asking for help may not meet with a favorable response

There's just such an example in the GT/GTA tech lounge right now, here

I'd go further. Don't new forum members (or any members for that matter) understand that giving the finger is an insulting gesture in any circumstance?
It's worse than a misunderstanding over intent on a written forum. You can't really claim you didn't mean to use it.

Yep that's the kind of stuff I'm talking about

As an offensive guy who has to constantly spit an apology thread at the rest of the gang on here me finding the smiley offensive is saying something,

[Hamster]

I actually feel inclined to ignore introductory threads that are opened with the bird being flung around...

... no need for it at all!

[norbert]

What happened to the smilie?

That was my fave.

[Dr GTA]

Its temporarily replaced with this. :xmas: