Not sure if Dan has blocked my posts or not, so I could add some @s. @Peter_Bird @Anglozone @Peter_Goble @ChrisK @vero etc. …while the etiquette of dinner party conversation, in many ways, may be usefully applied, there is a fundamental difference, in contributing to/reading open forum posts.
That is, that physically, humans occupy space, obstruct sound and view, to different measure, according to where they may sit or stand, while taking ‘physical’ part in a “dinner party” conversation.
No such limitation exists, or can occur, when every comment is equally visible/accessible to each and every xyz thousand members of the SF forum. Whatever is written, is accessible to all.
No one is excluded, while using the “reply” option, saves any confusion about who is replying to which point already made.
Unfortunately Jeanette your lengthy back and forth with Peter make some switch off. The forum, as Cat says is not the place for private conversations of little or no interest to other members - surely that’s what email, WhatsApp, Facebook and Facetime are there for.
P.S Dont agree with blocking your posts as, like trump and impeachment, l think you would welcome it:confused:
No such thing as a private conversation on a public forum.
Is it that you enjoy being provocative and crave an audience that will admire your “cleverness”? In any event, that’s my lot on this subject.
Haha! There you are! Yet another ad hom. @Dan_Wood
Never offer rational argument when you can get away with
personal insult!?
Water off a well larded ducks back, m’dear!
You will have to do better than that! 
_
An extra thought, I think SF members who switch off as you suggest, must have many reasons for doing so, certainly one has been, “snippy” even personal attack, responses, sometimes to first posts, If anyone would like a personal bodyguard for their first post, to defend them…I will be glad to volunteer! 
@Dan_Wood asks forlornly, more in sorrow than anger, of @anon78757855
“Is it that you enjoy being provocative and crave an audience that will admire your “cleverness”? In any event, that’s my lot on this subject.”
I appreciate your raising this Dan.
I don’t think you can assume that people “switch off” at conversations they don’t understand or warm to, Dan. They may just ignore them. And they may also love them to bits, but don’t comment either way.
It’s simplicity it self to scroll down or switch to another topic. The author of a comment announces itself in the menu by the icon.
There are lots of topics that don’t appeal immediately to me, like the tyre one. But I found the exchange of views on differentials and torque, all of which are more or less incomprehensible to me, really fascinating, a new world for me, and raised huge admiration and interest in me for the authors.
The forum is, in that respect, a treasure trove of human resourcefulness and wisdom. It is strange but encyclopaedic, and one sees so many facets of the contributors to make it, sometimes, a genuine delight.
I often don’t understand what Jeanette is telling me, her posts are sometimes Rubik, they have to be manipulated to see what emerges, or a jigsaw puzzle with no clue on the box. But everlastingly intriguing and with a great pull. Exasperating too, but worth tangling with always.
Every forum should have it’s Jeanette, and it’s Dan! 
Very peacefully put!
Silent members, revisited.
My first thought, about the thousands of lost? Silent? Just watching? Members, was less about attempting to inspire a set of new discussions, all at the same time, here, on this topic…but to encourage YOU! wherever, whoever you may be, to take part, find your thought, locked as it may be, at this minute, deep inside your head, and give it freedom.
So you don’t need to speak to me, here at all, although you are very welcome, but to choose absolutely any one of ??? I don’t know how many topics there are, and write a thought on your favourite one. Or as many as you wish, from any date.
I’m not sure.
Reminds me a bit of shivering on the poolside in hired swimming trunks…
“Come on in, the water’s fine!!” 
It looks deep, dangerous, green, big, smelly, splashy, shouty, echo-ey…
…and I can’t swim, there’s nothing to hold on to…I’m going to drown…
…I want to go home, I want to get dressed, I hate this…
“Oh come on! The WATER’S FINE!!” 
I think it is fairly apparent why we have silent members - they can’t get a word in edgeways with us regulars piping up.
Can the next person to comment on this thread be someone posting for the first time?!
Please give it ago…
Let the truth be known. And those that do, get shot down because their views and opinions are different to the rest of the tea party regulars/inventories so a lot of people just pop in now and again and choose to read
Pretty unfair Roger, there are ways of putting over your view/opinion which IMO is where problems occur.
Timothy, i agree there are ways of putting ones views across, but i have found no matter which way, makes no difference what so ever. So I dont think it is unfair, it is an observation i have made over a lengthy period of time just reading.
@Rocam, my experience of several forums, is that its necessary to have the mind of “not minding that it hurts”…sometimes, As per T.E.Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia I hope you will not be permanently put off by any painful experiences. Please can you give a link example?
I think that’s a reasonable response from Roger… Not unfair when “character judgements” are guessed at, and offered as conclusions!
That is very sad, if so.
Blockquote “There are also a small group of members who dominate much of the on going narrative about myriad subjects posting over and over again about their own areas if interest…it’s like trying to follow the conversation of regulars banging on and not being able to get a word in edgeways without fear of appearing rude or being belittled for your views. It is also apparent that when previously silent or new members do enter the fray their views are sometimes rapidly and unsympathetically dismissed - which, of course, does not encourage folk to join in”
I may not agree with what you say Roger, or how you say it, but it is refreshing, at times to hear alternative views, so, Welcome to the Party (Dinner Party that is:blush:
)
Hi
I have been a silent lurker, just completed on our house in 33 ( near St Emilion) so likely to become much more active soon currently looking for a good builder and a good plumber ( They do need to speak English as it is early days in my French language journey)
Get a personal recommendation from eg your notaire. Don’t be surprised if they are quite booked up, the good ones almost always are.
Biotech?! Sounds good to me!
Congratulations on finishing your house! I think there are specific topics for finding people to do building/plumbing, already posted, to get faster results, but if not you can start your own very easily.