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Please comment responsibly

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Community

chrisAnyone who knows me knows that I like a pub, and a metaphor. So given the nation’s tentative excitement about pubs re-opening on Saturday I thought I’d write a note about our beloved-but-behated comments section👇

I like to think of the comments section as a pub. We are the bartenders. We keep the drinks and crisps flowing but we don’t get involved, unless a fight breaks out. In which case, we break it up and move on. Some of our regulars are a bit gnarly, but it just wouldn’t be the same place without them. If you don’t like the atmosphere, no one is forcing you to attend. Frankly, the only viable alternative is to shut down, which no one really wants…

A few years ago we launched the FPL Forum, but had to shut it down after two warring factions hijacked every thread with alleged sniping and innuendo. We received complaints from both sides, the deciphering of which was near impossible given the subtlety and sheer volume of material. We lost some of our dearest FPL veterans (please come back Boss Bitch), who wouldn’t forgive us for shutting the forum down, or not taking their side.

We still receive highly detailed complaints (usually coincided with counter-complaint) which, nearly every time, amount to simple disagreements, with no discernible foul-play. We have a full-time Community Manager who spends a lot of time reading and considering whether our forum guidelines have been breached – they are not being ignored. It puzzles us why adults keep clashing like this. It’s a free lottery for flips’ sake!

I blame the limits of textual conversation. I cannot recall one occasion where I’ve written a strongly worded email and had a conciliatory response. It always escalates. Emoji’s really help, but nothing beats speaking to each other in person, something that is not an option for us, particularly at the moment.

Maybe thinking of it as a pub will help us all grow thicker skin. Perhaps we should rename it the PMP Arms. I quite like that.

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  • All of a sudden I’m getting “accept advertising cookies” on every page every time I look.

  • makes sense to be at one time. well done for keeping the site going - still hope to win one day!

  • Happy for the draw to be at 9 a.m.

  • No problem for me if the draw took place at 9 am

  • No problem at all.

  • i will check later in the evening as i work long hours so it no problem for me

  • Hi Chris and the Team, hope you're all well.

    I'm commenting on the time that the draws are online (hope this is the right place). I think 9am is a good start to the day especially if you've won, so looking forward to a win!

    Regards, Jan B

  • Hi there to you all. In these very Difficult and should I say Dangerous times, I enjoy having a look to see what areas have been drawn, some I recognise and some I don't. It seems that we here in the Bournemouth Area have not been drawn since I have been watching. But hey ho! that's all the fun of a free draw. It is a bit like the National Lottery I don't get any wins there.

  • Hi Chris I agree with your message you are not pub . I despair at some of the participants comments. This is a FREE site . What you have achieved is brilliant. Ignore the ignorance and carry on. I have stopped reading the comments. You never said that a participant WILL win it's only a bit of FREE FUN.

  • I can't have a alcoholic drink Chris as I have to take medication.I am not setting myself up as being a target but I love visiting here each and everyday . I even checked when I have been on holiday in Florida and New Zealand .So do I get bombarded with junk emails? Do I spend more and more money each week or month ? Do I get harassed with companies calling me each and everyday ?

    The answer is NO to all the questions . I love this site , it dont take up to much time to see what the offers on the page and even though Ihaven't had my postcode picked I still love visiting and I dont genuinely think theres anything underhand .

  • Well said Chris ...!! Mine's a red wine please .... !