The Coffee Shop was built as a place where anyone could come and post without fear of personal attacks or harassment. It makes no difference to me if a person is rich or poor, young or old, their race, color, creed, gender, national origin, or any lifestyle choices that anyone has made...if a person wants to come here and enjoy this site, they will be welcome to do so.
As this site grows, so does the possibility of conflict among members. THIS IS MY ONE AND ONLY WARNING ABOUT CONFLICT/ATTACKS/HARASSMENT: The features of this site include multiple chatting areas, as well as the personal message process. In the past, I have received reports about people using these features in a harassing manner, WHICH IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. Since this a new site and a new beginning, my desire is to lift bans that were implemented on coffeeshop 2006, for I believe that there are members who are now able to post without conflict, and I believe in giving a person a second chance. However, ANYONE WHO USES THE CHAT/PM PROCESS AS A METHOD OF CAUSING CONFLICT OR HARRASSMENT WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO USE THESE FEATURES RESTRICTED, regardless of whether you've been here for one day or from day one. All I need is one screenshot of this type of behavior, and the restriction (or banning, if the behavior warrants such action) will be implemented.
Remember to treat others as you would want to be treated...this is the norm here, and let's keep it that way.
One of the major differences between this Coffee Shop and any other is that I have access to the site database, and I can read any PM that is sent to any member, whether or not it has been deleted from the site itself. While it turns my stomach to have to think that I have to play "Big Brother", I will not tolerate further problems regarding the use of the PM process.
If a member has asked that you leave him/her alone, do so. Do not use the PM, chat, or any other means to speak or refer to the member. This is why I set up the "ignore member" feature...if speaking ill or the "teasing" a person is your idea of fun, please have fun at any other looser site. This is not what we're about.
Take a good introspective look at what you are posting or sending to someone. What may be "fun" to you may be hurtful to others.
