# What's wrong with a Personals thread? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 15, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639 "2005-03-15T15:31:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/df788c/32.png) [@Horrifying\_Howler\_Monkey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horrifying_Howler_Monkey)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/21 "2005-03-16T01:08:34Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Attention-whoring is annoying. This is one of the Great, Self-Evident Truths. I don’t think flirting in a flirt thread counts as attention whoring though. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/22 "2005-03-16T01:16:45Z")
Also since the thread was not just a simple list of personals, but mostly discussion/flirting I too am annoyed at its closing. Are we going to be allowed to flirt only if we don’t know much about who we a re flirting with? Or is SDMB going towards banning flirtatious threads alltogether? If the thread got out of hand, or became very long, then would be a reason to lock it, but as it stands the mods were terribly premature. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/23 "2005-03-16T02:24:01Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Not to mention, it got shut down after I’d only gotten one response. > > Hi to **Johnny** too. 😃 I was the only one? Hi back atcha! 😉 I’ve e-mailed **Cajun Man** to ask him to re-open the thread. ---
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/24 "2005-03-16T02:52:07Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > The cynic in me believes that the thread was closed because the _Chicago Reader_ valuates each word after the first thirty-five in a personal ad at fifty cents. I thought about this while heading out the door to school, but it really doesn’t add up. If this was the case, links to news sites would be against the rules, There would be no quoting of comic strips, and…well hell, the entire board would have to be shut down. I really can’t think of any reason why the thread was closed. I would like to see the thread reopened as well. ---
**Author:** ![Morgyn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/morgyn/32/3041_2.png) [@Morgyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgyn)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/25 "2005-03-16T03:04:12Z")
What puzzles me is that we’ve had threads just like this before, and they were allowed to die natural deaths. I can’t recall ever seeing one closed. ---
**Author:** ![MagicEyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@MagicEyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MagicEyes)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/26 "2005-03-16T03:07:40Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Hi to **Johnny** too. 😃 Hey, back off! I saw him first! ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/27 "2005-03-16T03:43:05Z")
I was enjoying the thread too. It seemed a higher (more polite and restrained) level of flirting than some threads I’ve seen. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/28 "2005-03-16T03:51:21Z")
> [@Harimad-sol](#): > > I was enjoying the thread too. It seemed a higher (more polite and restrained) level of flirting than some threads I’ve seen. Yeah! Cause I wasn’t in it. I’m just a little bit weary of the seemingly arbitrary closing/nonclosing of MSPIMDS threads. No rhyme or reason, just whims apparantly. Hey, LOOK! A dog with a fluffy tail… ---
**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/29 "2005-03-16T04:20:31Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Yeah! Cause I wasn’t in it. I’m just a little bit weary of the seemingly arbitrary closing/nonclosing of MSPIMDS threads. No rhyme or reason, just whims apparantly. > > Hey, LOOK! > > A dog with a fluffy tail… Someone put a leash on that dog! An…an…and put a clamp down on it…and rivet it’s feet to the concrete! ---
**Author:** ![Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/soul_brother_number_two/32/3515_2.png) [@Soul\_Brother\_Number\_Two](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Soul_Brother_Number_Two)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/30 "2005-03-16T04:46:41Z")
No, it’s not just their board anymore. We are paying customers, and I’d submit that as such, we have some rights. It’s not cool to close a **harmless** thread because of capriciousness on the part of a mod. If Cajun Man can’t handle inanity and flirting and such, he should switch to another forum that’s not so um, mundane and pointless. Or you flirters should get a damn good reason as to why flirting isn’t allowed. My two cents. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/31 "2005-03-16T05:06:41Z")
Seems pretty clear. They don’t want this to be a message board that has a purpose to facilitate coupling. The social boards are a natural outlet for the community but I guess they want them on some kind of leash. Maybe threads devoted to sexual innuendo directed right at fellow posters is more than they want to deal with. There are singles forums right? They need your support. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/32 "2005-03-16T06:53:21Z")
It’s getting so people can’t even run naked through a thread anymore. I’m also disappointed. I was hoping that paying for the dope would entitle us to have a little more fun, even if it is stupid fun like the “a” thread. Yet it seems like instead things keep getting stricter and stricter. As long as they aren’t breaking some major dope rules (like linking to porn or discussing illegal activities) we should operate under the “don’t open threads if you think you’re going to be bothered by it” concept. And only lock things if there are 10 or more game threads or impose to 5 page rule for them with no restarting. ---
**Author:** ![Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac8455/32.png) [@Bippy\_the\_Beardless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bippy_the_Beardless)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/33 "2005-03-16T16:34:26Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > There are singles forums right? They need your support. 🙂 But the sort of people who hang out oon SDMB are generally people with views they want to express and interest in fighting ignorance. That makes them a good group to flirt with. Have you any idea how much confusion and missunderstanding you get when your personal add says “only straight dopers need apply”? ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/34 "2005-03-16T16:38:47Z")
I know it’s not a good idea to cross-post exactly from one thread to another, but I’m hoping that just linking is okay. Therefore, lookee over [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showpost.php?p=5953601&postcount=13)! (And if this too is a no-no, I’m very sorry mods and I will not ever do it again.) ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/35 "2005-03-16T16:57:34Z")
I think the “cross posting” issues only come up if you are dragging unrelated issues to new threads or try to maintain conversations in two threads at once. IANAMod though. I agree with you **faithfool** , maybe it should get taken to live journal or something. One idea I was toying with suggesting is making MPSIMS a pay extra forum, make it member read-only. People can decide whether they want to join the SDMB “Social Club” as a separate addon. Never having done it, I’m curious: How do political or economic discussions go with someone after you’ve spent time in the e-broomcloset with them? ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/36 "2005-03-16T17:42:12Z")
> [@NoClueBoy](#): > > Closing of _MPTIMS_ threads… [Snob Hat] **M** eaningless **P** uerile **T** eenage **I** diocy **M** onopolizing **S** pace [/Snob Hat] ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/37 "2005-03-16T18:18:56Z")
Over in the [other thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=307209) on this subject: > [@TubaDiva](#): > > It should be noted in passing that the Straight Dope’s corporate owner, The Chicago Reader, offers personal ads as one of their services. It would not be a good idea to set up anything that could be construed as being in any sort of competition with them, especially as they charge for their personals service. Goddamnit, why is the cynic in me always _right?_ I hate that smug fucker. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/38 "2005-03-16T18:47:58Z")
I didn’t participate in that thread, but here goes: With all the harsh political/lying/banning etc. bullshit that’s been going on here for the past months, I don’t see why a fun, friendly, light-hearted thread should have been locked. It wasn’t hurting anybody and the idea that it was somehow costing the _Reader_ income from personals is simply ludicrous. TPTB should undergo a reality check and unlock it as a gesture of good will, if nothing else. There are enough hurtful things discussed on this board daily. A nice, friendly thread should be considered a welcome relief, not something to be locked. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/39 "2005-03-16T18:57:19Z")
::: sigh ::: Ya know, as far as I can remember, I’ve never really posted in a thread of this kind, nor flirted very much (although anyone is welcomed to do a search on me to link to anything that points otherwise). I _do_ see the appeal of these. Like… 1. Those of us who don’t get out, with me as an example when my agoraphobia was in full swing. 2. Those of us who may not consider ourselves to be that physically attractive, shy, no access to dating/flirting in the real world (someone working at home maybe) or just interested in giving it a go if other options have failed. It’s nice to be recognized as desirous, no matter how tenuous that might be. 3. What better place to find like-minded individuals of really good quality? Intelligent and friendly, with similar tastes for fighting ignorance (no matter what others may currently think about our purpose here) and debating (for the most part) topics? 4. That’s what MPSIMS is all about, yes? And just skip over something as blatantly obvious as a specific “hook up” (or whatnot) thread. That’s what many do if they don’t like ATMB or GD. 5. Lastly, why begrudge someone else their fun if it’s indeed harmless, contained and a very small percentage of the other repetitive discussions going on? I just don’t understand why the vitriol and hushing of something small and easily ignored is advocated. As usual, color me confused. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639/40 "2005-03-16T19:53:30Z")
It should be noted **Larry Mudd** that she doesn’t seem to speak with authority there (though maybe she is, seemed more like coy hinting at what her bosses might want). As noted in the other thread, the logical follow through would be closing movie review threads and other Chicago Reader overlaps. GQ is in fact in direct competition with Cecil. I know I never read the SD column anymore, I find my useless tidbits in GQ. I honestly think policy shift is to cool the interpersonal jets on this here MB. I hope it continues. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-wrong-with-a-personals-thread/294639.md?page=3)