treetime, Members are not discouraged from revealing their own gender; yet, many have posted for years without giving a clue. It is perhaps best that little thought goes to the gender of any particular member or post.treetime wrote: ↑Thu Sep 10, 2020 6:35 am...I am guessing that there are more men than women on this board. And I wonder if this assertive, dominant way of talking about tea that also happened in this thread - “It’s just this” - is reflective of something deeper.
.... But I am wondering if this message board forum has an unconscious tendency to “police” conversations that tend toward the feminine or spiritual.
I don't notice a tendency to "police" conversations that tend toward the feminine or spiritual but confess I am not sensitive to tendencies. I will say that the administrators have done an excellent job of keeping us from getting into arguments about politics, religion, etc. that could hurt our discussion of tea & tea related matters. (I have had 1or 2 posts removed myself for going awry.)
I expect that almost every post & member, intends no harm. To me that is the main thing. If one knows a member is kind & looking for something positive in a post, such as shared light-hearted humor; or perhaps private humor, as he writes "It's just this," the member knows that he does not really know, that so much is subjective, & with all that is happening in the world, discussions here may be unimportant. (I have sent PMs to members when I think I have caught them playing the "ultimate judge" & we have had a laugh about it.)
Yet, teaforum is important. Some of us don't participate on any other forum. I hope that you post more & don't get discouraged & some day we can drink tea together in person. (I have done so with 5 members & then they were all males. it's time to get some balance.) Cheers