Portiea wrote:It's amazing how long this thread has been going on and only discussing how you are percieved by others. I've popped in a few times over the past couple of days, but have not read the whole thread because it is just so boring...to me anyway, because it is so meaningless to me because I'm new and don't really know any of you or what is going on here.
As a new person posting on these forums, my thoughts are that it does feel that there are a lot of people who know each other well and have developed relationships over time. There are people who seem to be closer to each other than others--it's just like any place where people socialize regularly, like a neighborhood, office, school, whatever. Some people don't get along and it seems when a conflict arises out of that, others come to defend them. There is some childishness like name calling and insults which probably makes a lot of people uncomfortable, it does me. A new person coming into this can feel like any new person coming into the same kind of situation in the real world. Think about it, visualize it if you moved to a new town or started a new job and everyone there already knew each other and there was a set social 'scene' in place--
Some people are very independent and don't look for any particular acceptance or to fit in. Lots, perhaps most, people will say that's what they're like--but I'm skeptical about that--people like to say they are totally self contained but behavior belies belief in that assertion.
In any case, trying to put it simply: it can certainly appear to outsiders that there are established social groups here, that they may clash with each other, and that if one isn't accepted, one may be ignored or unaccepted. It all sounds rather childish, but adult behavior is never so nearly mature as we like to think it is--think about how people behave in love/romantic relationships. Just the fact that you all go over and over the accusation of cliqueishness for pages and pages and in the process continue bickering with each other....well....
If I have offended anyone, well....then you are all just too sensitive for me.
Oh dear, you've spoken too many truths. You won't be getting many 'Clique' invitations! LOL!
Cliques are like exclusive clubs for critics who like to club others, generally verbally.
Cliques are usually made up of people. Most people seem to be likable, like Humankind, if you don't 'see' them too much or even not at all...
Cliques are also full of people who say that they don't care what what other people think and are, in fact, desparate to have other people think that they don't care what people think and will tell you that as a group opinion. They are like sheep but with a nasty side.
Members of the usual 'social' type cliques can't stand those who proclaim independence because there is no way to convince them that they need to be in a clique to count as a someone.
Some people are more violently opposed to wigs than leather because it's far safer to harass people in wigs rather than a motorcycle gang. Every clique honours its sycophant conformists. Is it any wonder that they feel 'safe and supported'; cliques don't like too open minded sincerity; it's like a fox in a hen-house. JMO, as I perceive cliques.