Thorburn,

I agree with 2 points that you make. I absolutely agree that it is a pain in the ass when people unnecessarily quote one another when it is clear who they are talking to. I also agree that this forum is "Americanised" to the extent that there are many Americans on this forum.

However, as to your other points...

1). Banners/Smilies/Avatars are not "American" - they are pretty standard features of most forums nowadays, especially sports forums. They add colour, just as banners/posters/team merchandise adds colour to the atmosphere of actual sporting events.

2). Regarding portraits - they have brought in several new members and given our forum heaps of exposure. Many people continue to find them amusing as evidenced by the numerous requests. If you don't like them, why not just ignore the topics?

In general, regarding the fact that there are many Americans... well perhaps you could recruit some of your UK buddies to balance things out? You may also consider getting to know some of the Americans on this forum, there's some good blokes amongst em.

Cheers
(some extra emoticons cos I know how much you like them)

i couldn't agree more, and i am an american...i even took my ending signature off because i thought it had become redundant...

now, is there anything you guys can do about the most annoying of all things american - of course i'm talking about reality telelvision....

Jones - I am with you man! Too much reality shit on TV today...especially on MTV.

Give me Big Brother, the Surreal Life and Celebrity Fit Club and Im set...all the rest lame!

as long as were at it matt, can you tell mia hamn and those other soccer broads to stop trying to immortalize a 0-0 tie :!:

Is this where we have the "my country is better than your country" war?

And while we are on reality shows, quite a few of ours have come from overseas. Mainly England.

Trading Spaces
Brat Camp
Hell's Kitchen
Dancing with the Stars
Supernanny

I'm sure there are more, but by far the most annoying import would have to be American Idol. My wife watches every damn show of that. Thank god for mulitple tv's.

Let's all just play nice

I find your post to be a little narrow minded Thorburn. This is a global exchange NOT the British, American, Australian forum. Every culture posts differently, and has that right to do so (just as you have done).

Your comments are very valid, but the title could have been written with a little more thought. What you have mentioned happens right round the world.

Somebody could have posted something like: 'The whinging Pommies need to stop posting crap, and just Fuck Off' or 'All Australians are arrogant, loud mouthed, and uncultured bastards etc but that is being narrow minded, and without tact isn't it?

As mentioned by a few of the others, if you don't like a post don't open and read it. Very very Simple!!

The reposting of comments within comments is very annoying and I agree with you there. It wastes time having to scroll through, and keep track of who said what last.

Personally, that is why I tend to read rather than post, cause there is some great info in here, and taking time to read and reply to posts distracts me from reading and capitalisng on the better posts.

Maybe you should adopt the same method, and it would save you alot of grief and unnecessary posting in the future (an emoticon says a 1000 words)

Now's that's off my chest, we can all get on with it again

Pete, you don't have to justify yourself mate. Your contributions around here are invaluable. There will always be people who find negative things to say.

Hey Thumb, do a portrait of Thorburn's avatar, he will LOVE it!!!