Usually the point of these kinds of separate divisions like juniors, women, etc is to ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION by being less intimidating or making it cheaper, etc. Not sexist, not 'anti-equality' - but simply creating encouragement by reducing concerns. The women aren't excluded from the main events, nor are the kids, etc.

Offerings like a D-division at PAPA is not countering 'unity' - its about trying to encourage a less experienced player to participate.

If people stopped trying to be offended at every turn.. they may actually let themselves see the POSITIVE attempts here.

It's also a forum that without the community would wither and rot. It's robin's party and they make the rules... but a party without any patrons is no fun and pointless... so too is an online community with no patrons. Forum owners are effectively selling their product to attract activity - doing so requires balancing their desires with those of the people they are trying to attract as well.

If Robin were to make a rule that said "We will only talk about Wedgeheads... nothing newer!" - yes that would be his right... but it would be foolish of him to ignore the feedback of his audience if they said "we would really like to talk about more..." -- And just as foolish for people to argue that there should be no feedback about the rule from the EXISTING community because if you don't like it, you should GTFO. They have to strike a balance... and make limits within reason. Not all are without consequence.. and you should never NOT be open to listening to the very audience you are trying to attract.

The only person advocating totalitarian rule and muting all opposing thought is you.. and last I checked, you don't own the place or run it. Please stop trying to act on their behalf.

Time to change the avatar I think...

Oh yeah, all those self-reliant people that built this country... so privileged through and through!

"toughen up" coming from privilege? That one had me rolling.

At that point you should have said something that he is making you uncomfortable. Your path of not addressing the issue contributes to it escalating. This is the same thing at different degrees that ends up with all kinds of sexual harassment issues. Side A thinks 'x' is going on, Side B is completely of a different opinion.. but because its never addressed how is Side A supposed to know their actions are being taken the wrong way?

Now obviously what you go on to mention here about his tone changing is bad and wrong... but your attempts at 'hiding' vs facing the issue contribute to the escalation. It would have also established a point of clarity so if things did continue on that same path, when you went to management it would have been a much cleaner cut case of someone continuing down a path against the other party's will.

People find it much more rude to be ignored, vs having adults face a topic. So while I don't agree with the guy's tactic - I can agree with the comment about ignoring people being rude.

What you are eluding to is some sort of sexual harassment, when I read the story it sounds like more of an anger, tone issue stroked by how you responded to his actions.

How many issues stem from people simply not saying what they mean???

You act like it's some demented way of saying "dance for me..."

It's just people making conversation. Some see people maybe having a rough day... they say smile and try to lift them up. The idea that everyone looks better when they are happy or smiling is not necessarily sexual advances. This is the 'OMG, something COULD be evil.. so lets get rid of it' over reaction taking over this society.

Does anyone really give that much of a F... about the weather? No, but we use it all the time in conversation. Or what about the team someone has on their shirt, or what top they have... or does anyone really care that you have the same shirt?? No - it's all just conversation and people trying to be cordial.

Before too long... trying to start a conversation with someone who is shy is going to be considered harassment.... because someone had the nerve to speak first.

I said contributed... I didn't say you caused it. How many times do situations blow up because people simply didn't communicate? Why is communication a key ingredient in understanding in relationships... yet we expect other inter-personal interaction to just work flawlessly without it?

Instead you're "...that crazy girl turning people into HR for just trying to have a conversation!" I don't find that much of an improvement

Nothing good comes out of a situation that is all one-sided and only one view represented. If people just TALKED and actually said what they mean... things would be a lot easier. You may be worried it would upset the guy... but at least he knows where you are coming from and you have a point of reference to draw the line with.

Instead you opt'd to just hide from it, try to ignore it and altered your life, and expect it to just magically change, when the other side is oblivious to it?

Now that's a circular argument... you conclude he started out wanting or believing he was harrassing you and so he thinks its ok.. because you think he was.. so there is no point in saying something?

Is that like saying "there was no point in telling the guy who was hitting on me NO, because you'd think he wouldn't stop anyway?" -- Are people supposed to be mind readers?

And a very hard line for anyone to respect if people never vocalize their boundaries.

Try evaluating the situation at each milestone - and not from the end point.. and rethink what you've said. I say that, but I know you won't because you're not interested in objectivity here, but have a foregone conclusion. The only solution that works in your perception of the world is that no one talk to each other unless there is a specific, explicit practical purpose to do so.

Is every person that says "wow, I like your shoes?" - boning you in their mind right now too?

Maybe in a generation we'll all wear hats with lights that signify if we are open to being approached by someone. Or maybe someone will come out with a google glass that gives you red light, green light indicators if the far end is willing to accept your engagement of social conversation.

In the interim.. we'll all keep retreating inward, and be forced to avoid contact for fear of the other side's reaction and the consequences.

two logic fails there.
One - I wasn't there, but neither were you.. we only have the view of the party who interpreted the action. So you can't clearly state what his intent was... but neither did I to start. I only pulled back from the conclusion that it was some sort of creepy to say it COULD be either

two - the escalation could have simply been in response to being IGNORED and the hurt that person may have felt from that - not necessarily that there were advances that were not recieved. If you pass someone on the sidewalk each day, make eye contact, and say hello... but then the next day you see that person run to the other side of the road to AVOID you.. and does that each day.. do you not take note of that? maybe if you were in conversation with your friend and the topic came up would you say positive or skeptical things about the person who goes out of their way to AVOID you simply because you said hello?

I'm not defending him... but as with many 'sensitive' topics people can't address them objectively so I'm out.

I look forward to the world we are building where everyone is scared to lose their job by actually acknowledging the people around them.

Maybe this is why society is going down the tube... we advocate AVOIDING your problems as the solution to things. When has avoiding something ever drawn it to closer to conclusion?

Owe someone money? Just avoid them!
Facing an overdue deadline? Just avoid them!
Have a touchy subject with your S.O.? Just avoid it!
Kids actingly poorly? Just avoid it!
Tension with coworker? Just avoid them!
Doctor has bad news for you? Just avoid doctors!

Avoiding is just deferring problems.. and like in this example, that normally means things get worse.

It's funny how we argue about needing equality, etc... yet people won't even advocate facing things. Instead they just want it to magically happen by hiding from the issue. We want to give people equality, without expecting them to at least stand up for themselves. That's the death spiral of creating needy people.

Why communication is key... random online joke..
--------------------------
A lady about 8 months pregnant got on a bus. She noticed the man opposite her was smiling at her. She immediately moved to another seat. This time the smile turned into a grin, so she moved again. He seemed more amused. When on the fourth move, the man burst out laughing, she complained to the driver and he had the man arrested.
The case came up in court. The Judge asked the man (about 20 years old) what he had to say for himself.
The man replied...
"Well your Honor, it was like this: When the lady got on the bus, I couldn't help but notice her condition. She sat under a sweets sign that said, "The Double Mint Twins are Coming" and I grinned.
Then she moved and sat under a sign that said "Logan's Liniment will reduce the swelling", and I had to smile.
Then she placed herself under a deodorant sign that said "William's Big Stick Did the Trick", and I could hardly contain myself.
BUT, your Honor, when she moved for the fourth time and sat under the sign that said "Goodyear Rubber could have prevented this Accident"..

..I just lost it......."CASE DISMISSED!!"
----------------------------

People put stuff online.. and then get upset that.. people find stuff online? It's not creepy if you freaking wear it right in front of everyone.

'offsite'? Why? are we supposed to have alter-egos on pinside? Are we expected to be 'different' here? You just don't like that your own stuff you publically post and promote... actually came out at a time you didn't dictate.

Except your tactic is D) attack them and play martyr for having the audacity to not take your word as the final one. And when people undermine your holy position with information you didn't bring to the table.. you cry victim and go on the attack.

You want to preach and expect everyone to take your word blindly.. you want your message out loud and proud but don't have the common courtesy to address those you are expecting to listen to you. Instead of trying to have a conversation and be convincing, you want to spew and then hide under cover.