[Teddybear99]

This is a genuine question, I have noticed a lot of really horrible name-calling on here, the words 'bitch' 'cow' skank' and worse are used fairly regularly. Ironically, they are often used in defence of someone who is percieved a 'good' housemate.

If you want to defend the good, then why would you use such nasty terms. Surely you would want to align yourself with the nicer people?

In particular, there have been some really nasty posts about Becky and her weight and eating habits. Likewise Ashleigh has been called some pretty horrible names. To me, these detract from the real issues of their behavior towards other housemates.

There just seems to be such an overuse of words like 'vile and evil'. No-one in there is evil, even the worst behaved ones in there are nowhere near worthy of that title.

Is it perhaps like Derren Brown said that when faced with being anonymous people get caught up in a mob mentality? I would be interested in what other people think.

[avon942]

Good question.

[Mercier]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

This is a genuine question, I have noticed a lot of really horrible name-calling on here, the words 'bitch' 'cow' skank' and worse are used fairly regularly. Ironically, they are often used in defence of someone who is percieved a 'good' housemate.

If you want to defend the good, then why would you use such nasty terms. Surely you would want to align yourself with the nicer people?

In particular, there have been some really nasty posts about Becky and her weight and eating habits. Likewise Ashleigh has been called some pretty horrible names. To me, these detract from the real issues of their behavior towards other housemates.

There just seems to be such an overuse of words like 'vile and evil'. No-one in there is evil, even the worst behaved ones in there are nowhere near worthy of that title.

Is it perhaps like Derren Brown said that when faced with being anonymous people get caught up in a mob mentality? I would be interested in what other people think.

Oh I think Conor has the capacity for evil, it's a skanky vile kind of mind that goes to rape, assault and battery as fantasy fun for women he hates irrationally.

As to the use of "nasty" words, toughen up bubbah, it's a cold cruel world out there.

[somin]

Thank you! Brilliant comment. People really overreact nowadays. I think it's partly to do with the rise of Twitter, which seems to be full of mobs all piling in with foul language to attack the latest hate figure. I agree that Becky's behaviour hasn't been great and food is an issue with her, but no need for the nasty comments about her weight.

[liam_matthews]

Everyone is entitled to an opinion regardless of how low it may be.

[Teddybear99]

Originally Posted by Mercier

Oh I think Conor has the capacity for evil, it's a skanky vile kind of mind that goes to rape, assault and battery as fantasy fun for women he hates irrationally.

As to the use of "nasty" words, toughen up bubbah, it's a cold cruel world out there.

That's just it, it isn't that nasty out there, if it were, people would not be upset about bad behaviour in the house - it would just be natural to them.

[geordieboys]

'bitch' 'cow' skank'

Are only words,

used in any context why would they bother you ?

[Tequila_Sunrise]

I too despair. Some posters seem to take great delight in demonising some of the HMs and constantly look for the minutiae of negative behaviour and twist it out of all proportion. The next thing you know that HM is nasty and malicious and it becomes ingrained as fact into the psyche of the masses

It's just too easy to sit at home, from the safety of our computer screens and take the moral high ground, judging the HMs silly behaviour as something more sinister and evil

Let those without sin cast the first stone

[RememberMeWhen]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

This is a genuine question, I have noticed a lot of really horrible name-calling on here, the words 'bitch' 'cow' skank' and worse are used fairly regularly. Ironically, they are often used in defence of someone who is percieved a 'good' housemate.

If you want to defend the good, then why would you use such nasty terms. Surely you would want to align yourself with the nicer people?

In particular, there have been some really nasty posts about Becky and her weight and eating habits. Likewise Ashleigh has been called some pretty horrible names. To me, these detract from the real issues of their behavior towards other housemates.

There just seems to be such an overuse of words like 'vile and evil'. No-one in there is evil, even the worst behaved ones in there are nowhere near worthy of that title.

Is it perhaps like Derren Brown said that when faced with being anonymous people get caught up in a mob mentality? I would be interested in what other people think.

I absolutely agree. We don't know these people. Even when you do know someone and you turn to name calling, it really doesn't add to your argument. It just shows you judge people. Negativity for no reason.

[townrain]

It is ironic that forum members criticise housemates using such foul and vindictive language.

[sian2011]

Because it's an open forum which invites each and every type of person on to it. Therefore of course you get people who swear, use slang or express themselves differently to you. If you are offended by it then don't come onto such a diverse forum.

I personally hate 'text' speak and choose not to read posts that are written in it, same as posts without punctuation or spaces. But seeing HM's being slagged off and having 'nasty' words written about them...sorry but I'm really not that precious.

These people put themselves into a situation which is going to get opinions divided and will invite discussions on their personality, weigh, hair...apparence etc etc..if you really think they will be that horrified or even care enough to read what's been written here when they leave do you actually think they'd go on that sort of program????

[Seren13]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

This is a genuine question, I have noticed a lot of really horrible name-calling on here, the words 'bitch' 'cow' skank' and worse are used fairly regularly. Ironically, they are often used in defence of someone who is percieved a 'good' housemate.

If you want to defend the good, then why would you use such nasty terms. Surely you would want to align yourself with the nicer people?

In particular, there have been some really nasty posts about Becky and her weight and eating habits. Likewise Ashleigh has been called some pretty horrible names. To me, these detract from the real issues of their behavior towards other housemates.

There just seems to be such an overuse of words like 'vile and evil'. No-one in there is evil, even the worst behaved ones in there are nowhere near worthy of that title.

Is it perhaps like Derren Brown said that when faced with being anonymous people get caught up in a mob mentality? I would be interested in what other people think.

Interestingly I was thinking about this, this morning, someone commented in a thread about Caroline calling Lauren a 'spoon' and a poster said it was a sociopathic tendency, where they 'dehumanise' their 'victim'

Caroline is understandably getting a lot of critism for it, yet it seems that some BB posters do something similar by labelling the ones they don't like. I wonder if some are the same ones criticising Caroline - irony

[MargMck]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

That's just it, it isn't that nasty out there, if it were, people would not be upset about bad behaviour in the house - it would just be natural to them.

It's a case of degrees and each person draws a line, hoping that others are with or close to them, I think. What I've had to accept is that there are obviously people for whom behaviour I view with disgust is natural to them. I'm thinking of Conor fans who say it's just 'Derry banter' and so on, whereas I think the epilator/punch rap is a serious case of a mask slipping.
The only post I might have changed is calling Becky, whose recent behaviour IMO has been appalling, a lard arse in a thread on who was worse, Becky or Caroline.
I would have no problem with referring to her as a lard arse in a thread about her gluttonous behaviour though if it was in context. After all, she's got a huge bum from stuffing her face with cake and chicken nuggets round the clock.

[Teddybear99]

Originally Posted by geordieboys

'bitch' 'cow' skank'

Are only words,

used in any context why would they bother you ?

Strange as it may seem, bad language doesn't bother me at all. There have been several housemates in the past who swore a lot that I really liked.

I am just genuinely curious why people would use such terms to describe other people when it is my guess that they wouldn't use the same terms in real life. i.e. I wonder how many people who work with someone who is overweight go around calling them the names that Becky has been called on here.

There are some brilliant posters on here, WonkeyDonkey comes to mind, she is passionate about the show, has very strong opinions, but her opinions don't get lost amongst a torrent of abuse.

The first forum I ever posted on was a teddy-bear making forum in the early days of the internet, most of the people on there I had met at least once or twice. Maybe that is why I approach forums differently, I see them as a place where real people with real feelings post about a common interest, rather than a faceless computer screen.

[Teddybear99]

Originally Posted by sian2011

Because it's an open forum which invites each and every type of person on to it. Therefore of course you get people who swear, use slang or express themselves differently to you. If you are offended by it then don't come onto such a diverse forum.

I personally hate 'text' speak and choose not to read posts that are written in it, same as posts without punctuation or spaces. But seeing HM's being slagged off and having 'nasty' words written about them...sorry but I'm really not that precious.

These people put themselves into a situation which is going to get opinions divided and will invite discussions on their personality, weigh, hair...apparence etc etc..if you really think they will be that horrified or even care enough to read what's been written here when they leave do you actually think they'd go on that sort of program????

I'm not offended by it, I'm just genuinely interested.

[Tequila_Sunrise]

Originally Posted by MargMck

It's a case of degrees and each person draws a line, hoping that others are with or close to them, I think. What I've had to accept is that there are obviously people for whom behaviour I view with disgust is natural to them. I'm thinking of Conor fans who say it's just 'Derry banter' and so on, whereas I think the epilator/punch rap is a serious case of a mask slipping.
The only post I might have changed is calling Becky, whose recent behaviour IMO has been appalling, a lard arse in a thread on who was worse, Becky or Caroline.
I would have no problem with referring to her as a lard arse in a thread about her gluttonous behaviour though if it was in context. After all, she's got a huge bum from stuffing her face with cake and chicken nuggets round the clock.

Ahh you must be one of the fortunate few to have 24 hour LF

[Oldnjaded]

Originally Posted by RememberMeWhen

I absolutely agree. We don't know these people. Even when you do know someone and you turn to name calling, it really doesn't add to your argument. It just shows you judge people. Negativity for no reason.

Sadly, this totally sums it up, 'when faced with being anonymous people get caught up in a mob mentality'.

Most of the idiots on here wouldn't say boo to a goose in the real world and a good percentage of them are probably also seriously overweight, but hey, let's knock the 'ugly' people cos it makes us feel better about our pathetic little selves.

Sad, but nothing's gonna change. Personally, I just ignore the malicious posters making vindictive comments about hms. Replying to them just makes them think they have been validated.

[somin]

Well I'm offended by it, depending on the context. Sure, if someone's really angry or in pain, swearing or name-calling might be expected, but the way someone like Ashleigh uses bad language is like the verbal equivalent of taking a dump in the middle of the street.

[sian2011]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

I'm not offended by it, I'm just genuinely interested.

Well then it's just life I'm afraid. Some people express themselves differently from others, not quiet sure what's hugely interesting about it but if that's what you are poundering today...

[Oldnjaded]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

Strange as it may seem, bad language doesn't bother me at all. There have been several housemates in the past who swore a lot that I really liked.

I am just genuinely curious why people would use such terms to describe other people when it is my guess that they wouldn't use the same terms in real life. i.e. I wonder how many people who work with someone who is overweight go around calling them the names that Becky has been called on here.
There are some brilliant posters on here, WonkeyDonkey comes to mind, she is passionate about the show, has very strong opinions, but her opinions don't get lost amongst a torrent of abuse.

The first forum I ever posted on was a teddy-bear making forum in the early days of the internet, most of the people on there I had met at least once or twice. Maybe that is why I approach forums differently, I see them as a place where real people with real feelings post about a common interest, rather than a faceless computer screen.

Nail on head. They wouldn't because they know it's wrong and they know they wouldn't get away with it irl. Just cowards basically.

[MargMck]

Originally Posted by Tequila_Sunrise

Ahh you must be one of the fortunate few to have 24 hour LF

No - she came into the house with that bum and the rest of it, doing her thing about being fat and loving eating. She didn't balloon simply from all the stuffing she does in BB. Perhaps she just eats 3000 calories in nice little meals three times a day. But it's more likely, to my mind, that she pick eats all day in between big meals and there would be no surprise from me if she was a night-time fridge raider, the evidence is there.

[minkski]

Originally Posted by Teddybear99

This is a genuine question, I have noticed a lot of really horrible name-calling on here, the words 'bitch' 'cow' skank' and worse are used fairly regularly. Ironically, they are often used in defence of someone who is percieved a 'good' housemate.

If you want to defend the good, then why would you use such nasty terms. Surely you would want to align yourself with the nicer people?

In particular, there have been some really nasty posts about Becky and her weight and eating habits. Likewise Ashleigh has been called some pretty horrible names. To me, these detract from the real issues of their behavior towards other housemates.

There just seems to be such an overuse of words like 'vile and evil'. No-one in there is evil, even the worst behaved ones in there are nowhere near worthy of that title.

Is it perhaps like Derren Brown said that when faced with being anonymous people get caught up in a mob mentality? I would be interested in what other people think.

There does seem to be a mob mentality, which I dislike too. Some people like to whip others up into a frenzy and all common sense and judgement appears to fly out of the window. Professionally I deal with some truely vile and evil people, and very few have no redeeming qualities. None of the HM's qualify as being like that, however from the snippets we see, their particular foibles are amplified and played upon by the producers. We need to remember that we are being manipulated too, by believing that what we see snippets of, is what they are like 24/7, and that we are being shown the 'role' that BB wants us to see.

Some cliches are certainly overused here, and there is no need to get nasty about them.

[cyberwar]

Originally Posted by minkski

There does seem to be a mob mentality, which I dislike too. Some people like to whip others up into a frenzy and all common sense and judgement appears to fly out of the window. Professionally I deal with some truely vile and evil people, and very few have no redeeming qualities. None of the HM's qualify as being like that, however from the snippets we see, their particular foibles are amplified and played upon by the producers. We need to remember that we are being manipulated too, by believing that what we see snippets of, is what they are like 24/7, and that we are being shown the 'role' that BB wants us to see.

Some cliches are certainly overused here, and there is no need to get nasty about them.

Well said.

[Teddybear99]

Originally Posted by minkski

There does seem to be a mob mentality, which I dislike too. Some people like to whip others up into a frenzy and all common sense and judgement appears to fly out of the window. Professionally I deal with some truely vile and evil people, and very few have no redeeming qualities. None of the HM's qualify as being like that, however from the snippets we see, their particular foibles are amplified and played upon by the producers. We need to remember that we are being manipulated too, by believing that what we see snippets of, is what they are like 24/7, and that we are being shown the 'role' that BB wants us to see.

Some cliches are certainly overused here, and there is no need to get nasty about them.

Thank you for this post, I think you have really hit the nail on the head. I'm studying laguage and its effects on behaviour at the moment, and I find both the forum and BB fascinating. I try very hard not to be judgemental either towards the housemates or forum members, but I do like to try and understand where they are coming from.

I have been accused a few times of making excuses for people, I don't see it like that I just think that there is usually a reason for behaviour be it good or bad.

[dirtdirt]

Originally Posted by Mercier

Oh I think Conor has the capacity for evil, it's a skanky vile kind of mind that goes to rape, assault and battery as fantasy fun for women he hates irrationally.

As to the use of "nasty" words, toughen up bubbah, it's a cold cruel world out there.

This would be an example of that.....apparently moderators will allow this and worse....