Is there a set of rules that allow people to answer and ask in the Greek section?

Question

It seems a lot of the regulars don't like me answering questions (even if the last one was answered by my Greek husband and not me)
It seems there are a set of rules that one must adher to:
1. Be Greek (even though all other sections have other nationalities answering)
2.Never, ever say anything negative - no matter if you've experienced it
3. If you disagree with the 'mass' be prepared to be slaughtered or receive a personal attack.
4. It's ok to be Greek - American/Canadian/Australian etc (with no real life experience of Greece.
But you may not be another nationality who has lived/worked/married/ had children/ paid taxes/ employed locals/ been in hospitals/worked in schools/ started a business/sending children to Dimotiko etc etc
It seems you have more right to answer if you are a 17 yr old Greek- American (because it's a birth right lol) with no experience of life in Greece - or life in general!
What gives people the right to shame other users when they give their answer...

.... based on experience or opinion?
sorry couldn't fit the last bit on

I'd like everyone's opinion - including the group that no longer answer here due to differences.

I have no experience of the 70s nor remote villages - so I'm safe there

Well said dvatwork - seems that certain members get a dislike to another user and then follow them around to belittle their answers - strange!

The sad thing is - when you are attacked the natural defense is to attack back - therefore a slanging match begins - I try to stop myself but I think - 'wow, that's so unfair!'

Surely all answers that relate to life - are answered on personal experience - you can't read about such things in a book. Even books state someone's personal experience!

Like in past questions: Are Greeks the best lovers (and such rubbish) surely you answer from personal experience - is there another way????? ..

Zusje - Thankfully my children haven't had to experience this .... yet but I think it's because they are very dark - my eldest is darker than most of her friends - I'm a brunette. However my Finnish friend's greek/finnish children whom have taken the Nordic blond/blue eyes (all 4 kids!) have experienced lots of childish 'racism'.

Peeping Toms - lol - I like telling stories of my life - it's my character - it's me .... you should meet me in real life I can talk the hind leg off a donkey!

Vergina - it's a shane there are people like you that are linked to Greece - I ahve never nor never will feel any of the things you have accused me of - and yes it is through hardwork and determination I have what I have - I come from a very poor family and have never had a hand out from anyone in my life. - also I can answer whenever I wish to whatever - Nasty individual.

Answer 1

Asimenia,being half Greek half Dutch myself growing up in Greece I agree with almost all the answers you have given.Is there racism in Greece?Sure there is,been a victim of it myself(I sure hope your kids are treated better than my siblings from their co-patriots).I still get teased for not pronouncing the r letter "correctly"(even though I tell them that when it comes to Europe Greeks are really the ones pronouncing it wrong,lol).But hey,with time you get a thicker skin right?I do know how it is to be a foreigner and live in this country,how you are used to some standards and Greece on most occasions doesn't live up to them.I also know that just by criticizing something,or saying something is wrong doesn't immediately make you an enemy of Greece or that you'd rather live somewhere else.It's something you love,isn't it natural to want it to be better?
If I were you I would continue to answer any questions that interest me from my personal point of view and my experiences.And let anyone who thinks I might not know something thumb me down(for God's sake I got 3 thumbs down for answering to someone who was in search of a name while having a phone number to try www.whitepages.gr).Unfortunately this section is ruled by likes and dislikes,but hey so are most things in this country(places in the dimosio,job opportunities,grades in school,metagrafes from one university to another) so why should the Greek section be any different right ;)

Answer 2

Actually, I have seen different people of different nationalities answer questions, and no one seems to mind. Also, I'm Greek, and I have answered questions, and I usually have a thumb down or two. I don't think it has to do with the fact that you're not Greek. There's some negativity in this section, and I'm not sure why. Too many thumbs down on every answer. I have only seen that in this section.
I personally like your answers. Don't let it get you down. Just ignore the thumbs down.

Answer 3

Not that I noticed any.

1-I am Turkish

2-I told the negative things that I observed or experienced

3-I disagreed with "the mass" during discussions and exchanged open and mail opinions. Problems are solved. Some of them are quite good friends now.

I still answer here and the only reaction I get is a few thumbs down from the people who hates "the mass" and don't like me. The key is not to be provocative, pre-judgemental and don't demonstrate opinions without proper knowledge. Actually those are the general rules in any kind of debate.

Oh, BTW, nobody can stop me from answering anywhere in an open forum. They can only report me if I violate Yahoo rules, that is all.

Answer 4

No it's not fair. But it happens just as often too us liberal atheists from conservative fundamentalist trolls. Neither side is more hard done by. Y!A's arbitrary deletion and suspension rules affect all of us and there are abusers on both sides. Take a breath, relax. Rephrase your question. Just remember the phrase "Yahoo sucks."...it explains everything.

Answer 5

I have never seen such kind of thing personally..If there is something insulting yes, the others will attack.But i cant understand why it has to be limited just to the greeks.
Yahoo is an opened forum for all the nationalities of the world.
What really makes furious the greeks, is that some foreigners, not havin even the basic knowledge of history judge Greece and its actuality without any proof, based just on what it is served by the mass media and the bad propaganda against our country.That s all....

Answer 6

Some people wish there were, that's for sure. Unfortunately, we have something called "freedom of speech" in this dark (!) age and they have to live with it. Pity.

I am a non-Greek regular who likes to read people's opinions and I like to hear about your experiences, too. Though, I'm not sure THAT reflects good on you in the eyes of the people that want this section to be closed to non-Greeks. I'm sorry. I will keep my support secret if I piss said people. :P

Answer 7

There aren't any specific rules.
It doesn't matter if you are Greek , half Greek, or foreigner. All are acceptable and have every right to answer and express their own views and experiences.
You have to follow though only the Yahoo answers guidelines.
One of them is clear. Not to use this forum in order to express personal frustration and anger!
Which means that you can not use any personal experience in order to characterize and insult vast groups or entire populations.
If you have experience the life of some remote villages, you can't use that experience to characterize the people of the capital.
If your experience is based on the 70s then again you will make mistakes since obviously times and people have changed!
(the above are examples of how personal experience can be unfair for entire groups!
as you said about Greek lovers, if you have met one you still dont know about the others!!)

Answer 8

Hi asimenia! As far as I know there are no rules!! Everyone has the right to submit his opinion. Personally, I don't care about nationalities. I just see answers. I'm here for fun. Not for educational purposes. So, if I disagree with somenone's answer, I just say my opinion and I don't care. In case he/she didn't get it... I don't answer back. :)!!

As a proud Greek I would like to see a proud British girl in Greek section!! No one is here to insult none!

Answer 9

Asimenia,I do not agree with your statement that "regulars do not like you answering the questions here".
There is no rule you need to be Greek in order to answer a question in this section. Eventhough I have been reported several times by our northern neighbors and I get thumbs down quite often, I am here to voice my opinion and so you are.
Now,since you asked, (I presume you have a reason, either you got PMs with people's displeasure to your answers or in your heart you have your doubts),since you asked, I'll tell you what I think of you:
In Ipek's words:"The key (to debating here) is not to be provocative, pre-judgemental and don't demonstrate opinions without proper knowledge".
I think you meet some of the above.... and then some more....Specifically:You are aproaching with the angry, frustrated and negative idea that you know Greeks so well and that they are good for nothing, lazy, racists, rude...you name it.
As a reader,I can detect the frustration in your tone and eventhough you and your husband have 2-3 businesses,you despise the system and the people.
Never mind the fact that this country gave you the opportunity to develop yourself to an entrepreneur and prosper there, eventhough you'd never make it to this extent in your country, dont you have the slightest gratidute for the country and its people for the chance to get so ahead in your life????
And don't tell me it was just your "hard work and determination", because I know many hard working determined Greeks who, unable to find a job in Greece,they move to another country where they prosper in ways they'd never prosper in Greece,but they never ever are ungrateful to their new country
Well, if thats how you feel about Greeks and Greece and so openly show it here, do you still wonder why people are angry/bitter/rude at you?????
Also,you think is your duty to answer EVERY question, whether you like it (the question) or not, and you use waaaaaay to much personal info (I also feel like an intruder in your personal life with all the info you supply here)
In addition,I noticed (and I don't mind at all, just an observation) sometimes every answer has a tumbs down, every answer above yours, yet you seemed to escape it...:-)
With all fairness, sometimes I enjoy your answers/questions,"show your dances" was very interesting and funny, (it hit home since our husbands are from the same area),your memories from growing up was also interesting (sorry I forgot to vote and someone undeserving got the points).
But in another question "are you proud being Greek" you answered using your husband's not so nice words. You missed the meaning of the question and took it as a chance to trush Greeks again
When I asked (in the spirit of the holidays) whether people have been nice or naughty, you answered that my question was pathetic...
So, in other words, for you, is OK to shame people and ridicule them for their question, but if someone rubs you the wrong way...shame on them,because you being British, they dont want you here???
I know you enjoy being here and I enjoy reading another point of view, but let's not forget this is not a private forum that we chat with our frineds.This is a public section read by everyone and we all have to be careful. Have you ever been in the Turkish section? They are funny,united and they never discuss openly issues like we do, you'd think they dont have any.........

See you soon in here... to disagree some more LOL

Answer 10

i don't know,cause i have never had any trouble here!sure,i'll get some thumbs down if they don't agree with my opinion,but i have never been personally attacked by anybody!and believe me,i have said many negative things!what should you care though?say what you want,and don't pay attention to narrow-minded people,cause there are many here who are open-minded like me!