Confused about "off topic" discussions in Cafe

[t0p]

I am disappointed and confused that the thread about dogs (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1297091) I started in the Cafe was closed. How is a discussion about dogs considered "off topic" in the Cafe, where we are encouraged to discuss almost anything?

I would particularly like an explanation as to why my topic about dogs was closed but this discussion about cars (http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1296817) is allowed to continue. It seems very inconsistent to me. And very unfair.

[BslBryan]

I agree with hoppipolla's philosophy when he said in the thread you mentioned:
So many random threads tonight! lol

I hope this one doesn't get closed too though, I mean this kinda random stuff is part of what belongs in the Cafe :)

[schauerlich]

I'm guessing all of the talk about swollen vulvas was enough to get it closed on a forum that tries to stay "family friendly".

[cariboo907]

I don't mind to many random topics in the cafe, but asking for help with health problems human or animal is a little beyond the scope of the forums.

[t0p]

*double post - deleted*

[t0p]

I don't mind to many random topics in the cafe, but asking for help with health problems human or animal is a little beyond the scope of the forums.

I don't see why. It's a non-technical subject. I was just asking for advice, which another dog owner with experience of the issue could easily give me. This is definitely the sort of thing that might come up in conversation "around the water cooler". I often talk about my dog with friends. It's certainly no less appropriate than talking about cars.

I'm guessing all of the talk about swollen vulvas was enough to get it closed on a forum that tries to stay "family friendly".

I wasn't talking about human genitalia. This is a dog, that walks around with her "parts" on view constantly and with no suggestion of indecency. My nieces and nephew (all under 10 years old) have seen my dog in season before; they've asked why she's swollen and it's been explained without any corruption of young minds. For goodness sake, they teach this stuff in school! Why would discussion of it here be "family unfriendly"?

Of course, discussion of human sexual issues would be inappropriate in these forums. But this was about a pet dog! Do you think I should dress her up in pants when I take her out, in case any children are distressed?

[lisati]

<grampa simpson voice>In my day such things weren't always talked about in "polite" company</grampa simpson voice>

I suppose society has changed in my lifetime...........

[Niko Johnson]

well for starters you did refer to your dog as your bitch twice... you could of just said dog. and its about your dog on her period... not something we want to hear

[cariboo907]

Truthfully if someone hadn't complained about the thread, I probably wouldn't have seen it, brcause the way it was going it looked like it was sinking fast, there were no positive comments in the thread, so it was just a matter of time before more people reported the thread.

[t0p]

Well at least I know now. Some members don't like bitches to be referred to as bitches. And they find discussion of some biological functions as distasteful. I will try to take this on board. Though I find it hard to understand what exactly is "wrong" in calling a bitch a bitch - referring to female dogs not humans - or what makes such a beautiful natural process as the potential creation of life so worrying to some people. I wonder if talking about eating or sleeping would provoke similar displeasure?

Oh, BTW: I got some helpful feedback on another site (one with less queasy, more tolerant members). Apparently the discharge-free season is not unheard-of. It's known as a "white heat" or "dry heat" and is nothing to worry about. So anyone concerned about my bitch can rest easy. Incidentally, her name is "DD". She wasn't named after the well-known *nix command (a previous owner called her that) but it is another factor that makes the discussion on-topic for a Linux forum. :p

I'm marking this thread [SOLVED]. Thank you all.

[Tipped OuT]

There are some subjects OK to talk about and there are other subjects that are just on the edge of the line. Discussing about a "bitch" in heat? Come on t0p, seriously? Could've just asked that at a pet forum or better yet, Google'd it.
Discussions like those usually end up with innaproprate comments. This is why your thread was closed. Mods are just trying to maintain family friendliness.

[t0p]

There are some subjects OK to talk about and there are other subjects that are just on the edge of the line. Discussing about a "bitch" in heat? Come on t0p, seriously? Could've just asked that at a pet forum or better yet, Google'd it.
Discussions like those usually end up with innaproprate comments. This is why your thread was closed. Mods are just trying to maintain family friendliness.

Okay, I thought by marking this [SOLVED] it was over with. But you bring up points that I must contest.

You seem to imply that there is something wrong with discussing a bitch in heat. I don't understand that. I'm not using the word "bitch" in a derogatory way about women. I am talking about a female dog. The correct term for a female dog is "bitch". What's wrong with that? And breeding dogs is not a "family unfriendly" subject. I'm sure some strange people would cover their child's eyes if they saw animals mating, but that is highly unusual behaviour. On TV (in the UK) they are not allowed to show films of humans having intercourse, but they can show films of deer rutting and fish spawning and bulls serving cows. Why? Because it is considered indecent to show human sexual relationss but not animals. I'm not saying what I consider indecent, but what society at large thinks. There's nothing "dirty" about animals mating.

Nor was I talking in some jokey or lecherous way about animals having sex. I described a situation, and asked if anyone in the Cafe knew about it. That's all.

I can understand that it might be considered inappropriate to discuss personal heath matters in the Cafe (it would depend on the issue in particular - I'm sure no one would mind if I posted about how I broke my leg while skiing) - but this was about a pet.

Honestly, some of you have got serious issues. Go tell a psychiatrist how animals mating is "dirty" and must never be spoken about. He'll have a laugh once you've gone.

[Tipped OuT]

<snip>

No. I did not say talking about a bitch in heat is innapropriate. It's just not the best thing to talk about on these forums. Why? People tend to make innapropriate comments. Your thread was closed before this could happen because it was alredy going in the wrong direction.

I know this is marked [SOLVED] but I thought I'd might share my input on this matter.

Have a nice day, t0p.