Emotional honesty and support: STW vs other forums

Just reading through Roadiesean’s post – especially his thankyou note and NZCol’s post.
STW for all its faults is full of threads like that – people with pretty serious issues baring all and asking for help. And being given it in spades.
Now I know this kind of thing goes on offline amongst good friends all the time so it’s not new behaviour but few of us on here know each other and giving to strangers isn’t something the UK seems to do too much of.
I don’t spend time on any other forums so is this kind of openness and altruism a online thing (easier not doing it face to face) or is it something unique to STW?
Great to see btw….

I like to think it’s unique.
I’ve been using MBR for the last couple of years before coming here.
From my experience there, anything the few ‘long-termers’ don’t like will get shot down, seems to be a chat room for a handful of folk.
Much more intellectual & emotionally sensitive here.
Good on ya STW.

It is great on the whole here.

Group hug?Come on, you know you wanna 🙂

Did someone say hug??

I know people on here have been pretty fab to me and now I can take this chance to say thanks!!

Rachel

I’m all hugged out and still feeling aroused by it all.

Oh gwan then.

No need for arousal Sharki, just good clean hugs. I love the STW massive, the awesomeness is astounding. I genuinely mean that. So can I have the biggest hug?? 😀

I’d like to think I’m one of the nice guys, but generally I can be a cynical/drunk type. This forum can certainly be a good thing. so…. er.. Good! Huuuuugs!

Can I join in please?

Hmm a cycling support group. I’m nervous about hugging other chaps. Let’s assume I’m hugging ladies 🙂

Tsy and sharki are actually women buzz, don’t be scared.

Buzz, you know me, don’t worry i’ll keep you safe.

Emma, ok it’s just my multitool should you feel something..

CG, come on in, the waters lovely.

TSY seems to have dropped his ‘Sammie’ persona. 🙁

Emma, ok it’s just my multitool should you feel something..

Lol! How you doin’ sharki? Still in that Scotchland?

For a bike forum – or even a male centric forum it’s way up there. mumsnet though is an obvious place which does similar levels of support, depending on what you’re asking (I’ve joined there in order to get the female perspective on some issues I wouldn’t dare to air on here, even with a name change).

STW is like that. Small things will become off-tangent mickey-takes and mess-arounds but the serious issues are dealt with, with a surprising amount of empathy and emotion for a bunch of middle aged IT consultants and overweight engineers.

C_G – How very dare you! I’m just playing at being Bruce for the night! 😀

Oh how exciting, is that where the phrase ‘is that a multitool in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me’ saying came from. I’m off to bed, the excitement is just too much.

I hate you all! Rotters, scoundrels and cads the lot of you.

Don’t worry TJ – we all hate you to.

Bounder

remember to deal with the serious issues…

emma82 – Member
Tsy and sharki are actually women buzz, don’t be scared.

Aye, right!

I was sucked into that as well 😉

This place is a great forum. If people post and genuinely have problems then there is a great response.

It’s lovely to see to be honest 🙂

emma don’t go.

It’s a leathermans. and i don’t mean i used an old roman form of protection.

*Waves at ho hum* I’m up to a month now!!

Well done TSY!

I am proud of you 🙂

But there’s the great conondrum. I’m having a huge personal problem but I know if I post on here I’ll get ripped to shreds!

All I want to know is what tyres for emotional stability???

but it sounds like a little clique. Forget that. type what you want… they are nice and knowledgable.

I’m a couple of weeks ahead of TSY. 8)

deadlydarcy – Member
I’m a couple of weeks ahead of TSY.

Well done to you as well.

It’s no fun kicking the habit, but it does get easier 🙂

Congrats Darcy!

I’m really not bothered about ciggies anymore. Not even had any gum for a few days, got incredibly drunk Friday didn’t even cross my mind.

I do think that the funny smelling ones could proove very hard to avoid over the next fortnight or so though!

Well done to all those kicking the habit. 8)

TSY – if you have an alternative then you haven’t really quit have you? So … don’t!

ohhhh, but my brother will be home and it’s Chhhrrrissssssssssssmaaaaassssssss!

In answer to CG.
Yes i am. And in minus double figures and several inches of snow.

Fortunately i have the north sea as an escape route 100 yards from me.

😆

I don’t really partake anymore TBH.

I was fine…just taking the odd lozenge here or there. Last week was a struggle. I was working on a site where loads of the guys were smoking. Every **** time I looked up, someone was rolling up or looking in the window at me while tabbing away. I was sucking sweets by the truckload. 😀

Got through it. I won’t lie though. Easy it wasn’t.

The Southern Yeti – Member
ohhhh, but my brother will be home and it’s Chhhrrrissssssssssssmaaaaassssssss!

I was going to email you, but you do not have an email address in your profile.

Be very careful with the above. It would be a shame to waste all of your hard work.

Can’t you just do a bong or something. The tobacco delivery system will get you. Honestly dude. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you’ve kicked it enough to just have a few over Christmas. I’ve been there!!

Toffees.

Yeah you’re almost ceratinly right. The fact that I’ve been looking forward to the mere suggestion is probably an indication of just how bad an idea it really is!! 🙁