Why a women's forum?

[shootingstar]

But I do feel that on TE, even with all our varying opinions, communication as a whole is better, more thoughtful and more understanding than on mixed forums. Maybe women in general, as a group, are better at communicating in writing, maybe the ones left here are the wishy-washy peacy ones because all the more aggressive-type girls have thrown up their hands and left . But especially when it comes to subtle and sensitive issues like trust, achievement, support, insecurity this forum is fantastic.

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My gut feeling tells me that coincidentally, there is a higher level of literacy in this particular (emphasis) women's forum. It doesn't necessarily guarantee more thoughtful dialogue, but ...well, it can be helpful not to say stuff without backing up with abit of evidence/examples, no matter what the woman's position would be.

I also feel cycling, particularily women who cycle regularily several times per week (recreational, transportation, racing, etc.) attracts women who share something in common: a streak of pragmatism. This certainly is true for all the cycling women I've met face to face from TE and also those who I've met personally elsewhere over the past 20 yrs when I returned to cycling.

Cycling puts a person in a particular frame of mind already: you can't fuss too much about your hair, the way how you cycle, if the weather is less than sunny, you must open yourself to abit of risk, dishevelment, vagaries of weather, etc. to enjoy cycling often and regularily.

I still think my comments apply even for the cycling woman who is more cycling chic streetwear type. They may not LOOK practical, but their heart/brain can be practical...let me cycle no matter what I wear: it gets me places, I enjoy it, etc.

So already, this could well exclude anyone who dislikes the slightest discomfort not just on the bike (but also in life in general), who doesn't want to ever get lost in a minor way (on the bike, or in life in general), who wants a totally safe, predictable environment and everything perfect in their control.

Cycling is not quite like that.

So those who cycle...share a number of tolerances, attitudes that carry over (in my opinion) from the act of cycling often to more generally, about life.

Not all women's forums are like TE. Some others have some who haven't read/travelled widely and it's reflected in their comments, others have a few women who are (in my opinion) overly sensitive/take things way too personally: they just don't know how to have an intellectual debate without feeling hurt because no one agrees with them.

Ok, so I'm getting super philosophical right now.

As for mixed forums, it depends which one but yes, if it's mixed, the guys' voices tend to dominate. Alot more verbal horsing around, even if harmless. More useless, totally useless jokes (ie. who has paid for sex.... was a really harmless, yet dumb-*** comment.)