To think that the postscript (lighthearted)

[FunnysInLaJardin]

is just as bad as putting lol after something you think is funny but that you thick mates might take offense to? Why don't we just go with the lol people and tell it a it really is? I mean if we are turning into nethuns lets at least be honest about it

nah not the same, it is difficult to read tone in a post.

I don't find it anymore difficult than when speaking face to face. People put lol because they believe the same to be true so why don't we all go down the lol route?

Because, lol is always misused.

Fr example in a Fb status,

"I went to Tescos for milk LOL."

or as a way of undoing something they have said which is incredibly offensive.

The post script is just explaining what might not be so obvious in posting. SO something could be taken wrong but actually you are being ironic. Not actually being an arsehole.

I also notice sometimes someone says something totally innocuous and obviously ironic but because they haven't explained it or stuck a in there and one person gets it wrong and then quickly a thread gets derailed as everyone is shocked by what poster b said poster a said. When poster A didn't say anything like that. Then poster A spends a whole thread trying to back peddle on something they never said

It does happen more and more it seems and while I expect it on FB it didn't used to happen here or if it did usually it could be put right without too much explanation.

I suppose my gripe really is that folk pile in and grab the wrong end of the stick so readily that [lighthearted] is needed.

I think some people are deliberately obtuse and enjoy starting a bun fight where one shouldn't be

Maybe. This is a very civilised AIBU though isn't it? Cup of tea and a biscuit feministe? Or would you like to start getting shouty and we can have a scrap?