It has recently been observed, as well as being brought to our attention by a couple of members that the levels of rudeness, sniping, pedantic and snide comments have increased within The Backroom.

Not only can arguments and in-jokes be unwelcoming for newcomers, they can have the same negative effects on regular members. For starters it can lead to unpleasantness, misunderstandings and name calling just because of a few misplaced words. It can also lead other members to think a certain way of behaving is acceptable, and where they see one person doing it, so like sheep they follow suit.

I am not for one minute about to start naming individuals who are considered to be the culprits; I am hoping that you can recognise yourself from the above text and learn to be more polite and friendly toward your fellow members. This forum thrives because of the diversity of members who are prepared to use their knowledge to argue a point. By all means don't be afraid to, BUT do so in a polite, civilised and constructive manner.

If you post what you consider to be a 'tongue-in-cheek' comment that shouldn't be taken seriously, then remember to include a smiley - something along the lines of ;o) or ;) will suffice - to clearly indicate so. This goes a long way toward smoothing things out before any misunderstandings occur.

In short, I want to nip things in the bud before the BackRoom descends into a 'spit & sawdust' pub type atmosphere. I'm sure you want to as well. After all, the majority of past comments whenever discussions about the BackRoom have cropped up have said what a pleasant forum this is and that is why you keep returning time and time again.

If you do object to a posting, or you feel that someone else's view could be considered objectionable, rather than argue back to them, please use the "report message as offensive" button and let a moderator deal with it (if we consider it necessary). Amongst other things, that is what the button is there for.

Smokie, Pologirl and I can moderate the forum until our edit buttons have worn out, but without your contribution and input there wouldn't be a forum here in the first place. So, with your help, let's keep the forum a pleasant place to visit, both for new and regular members alike.

Thank you.
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As I get older, I find myself constantly adding to the list of observed motoring stereotypes ? the lowered, 'pimped', black-windowed Corsa with full body kit and 3cm. ground clearance, driven (in second gear at full throttle..) by a youth in T shirt and reversed baseball cap?Contractors lorries with half the windscreen obscured by a drift of receipts, copies of The Sun, sandwich wrappers and drinks cans?etc. etc.

Well, to get to the story, I pulled off thwe A272 onto the Langrish-West Meon road last week, just behind Stereotype # 56 ? little old lady, silver hair in bun, invisible from behind, (due to headrest being in the way), driving a white Metro 1.1?.

Teeth go into automatic grind mode (the road, although two-way, is about 5 miles long with no overtaking stretches. I anticipated twenty-five minutes of creeping and sotto voce muttering..
Well! Another preconception bites the dust...

I consider myself to be a rapid but safe driver (don?t we all?) and used to rally and autocross a mini, but I didn?t get within three hundred yards of that Metro. The lady used the road superbly, taking an economical line through the corners, braking early and accelerating out. By the time we joined the main road my ego had shrunk to the size of a peanut..I eventually convinced myself she must have been an ex. professional rally driver.

Any similar confessions out there?

P.
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Finally wave goodbye to the trusty Fabia at the weekend and I pick up our new-to-us MX5.

All I've ever know is front wheel drive so I'm at once excited and nervous about putting the power at the back of the car....especially without stability control - the only thing keeping me out of a hedge is me!

What sort of things should I be careful of? I understand snow is bad news but should I think about changing how I drive? Any experience or advice, as ever, much appreciated

Lee.
-- You know, it\'s not like changing toothpaste Read more

Have just bought the car for my son. It runs very well apart from the fact that occasionally, usually when cold, the engine just dies.The car always restarts on the key first time. Any ideas? Read more

A lot of my driving is on largely deserted country roads and I'd love to have a pair of long range driving lights that come on witn main beam like I had on an XR3i and a XR2 years ago, but they don't seem to be available any more. Alternatively I'd be happy if main beam was the equivalent wattage. Some people might have seen long-range driving lights merely as fashion accessories but I thought they were brilliant. (No pun intended!)
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L\'escargot. Read more