So, er, what's...?

[retro]

I'm quite new to the forum but every so often, I'll see someone post something like: "Take that to fratching".

Erm sorry but obvious noob question.

What's fratching?

[Kheldarson]

Fratching is the sister board to CS. There's a link to it at the bottom of the Community section (I'd provide but on phone). It's where members can debate more contentious stuff, like politics and religion or more minor things like current events that might get heated. That way this site stays relatively free of heavy arguing and drama that comes with some of those topics.

[BlaqueKatt]

I'm quite new to the forum but every so often, I'll see someone post something like: "Take that to fratching".

Erm sorry but obvious noob question.

What's fratching?

full explanation is under "site rules" which are always good to re-read to refresh one's memory every so often.

[XCashier]

Fratching is the sister board to CS. There's a link to it at the bottom of the Community section (I'd provide but on phone).

Here's a link. Generally, it does stay civilized over there, but things can get heated.

[Seshat]

Fratching - and the 'take that to Fratching' policy - is part of what helps this site stay so friendly.

People who enjoy contentious debates can go and participate. Sometimes we teach each other things, sometimes some of us change our minds - usually on being presented with new knowledge, or a new point of view.
Often we agree to disagree; but with a new respect for the opposing POV.

But many, many people come to CS to laugh - often wryly - at the silly ways the human race behaves. These people are not interested in debates about, say, whether the tipping system or the 'service compris' system is better. So we moved all of those debates to the sister site.

And heck, some of us - like me - can spend a few years being active in Fratching, then go off it almost entirely, then go back ....

The guideline I use in Fratching (this is not an official rule, but it helps) is 'argue the debate, not the person'. In other words, I can tell Jester that his argument and position are total crap; but I cannot and will not tell him that HE is crap. (Besides, he's a great guy. Even if some of his ideas and worldviews conflict with mine.)

[Barracuda]

I have to ask, where did the term "Fratching" come from? I'm an American, and it's not a term I'm familiar with. I assume it's Aussie or Brit slang for arguing?

[Marmalady]

It's an English term, but I've only ever heard it used by people from the Yorkshire area, and it means arguing, quarrelling or fighting (from the Middle English fracchen 'to creak')

[Greenday]

Customers Suck - No debating, everyone gets along.

Fratching - Gloves come off, go for the throat.

Really, though, this forum is for people to just vent their frustration and get stuff off their chest. It's not meant for people to come in and give them crap.

[EricKei]

It's also been put recently as: "If it's about what IS, it's generally OK for here. If it's about what SHOULD BE, take it to Fratching."

When in doubt, though, please ask us before posting, we'll be glad to help. Either PM a mod who's online, or, if you are thinking of responding to a post in a way that you feel may not be appropriate for CS.com, just Report the post and include your proposed response in the explanation field, along with a mention of why you're messaging us. Reporting just brings posts to our attention, lets ALL mods know about it, and will never be seen by anyone who isn't a mod (nobody will even know that a given post has been reported at all, nor by whom).

We also have a Sticky that covers the subject, too - http://www.customerssuck.com/board/s...ad.php?t=47361

Thanks for asking! ^_^

[SongsOfDragons]

Customers Suck - No debating, everyone gets along.

Fratching - Gloves come off, go for the throat.

And how! Bring burn cream.

Saying that I've learnt a lot about stuff that gets in the US media rather than the UK. Because people there know how to debate, informative source are generally posted.

Though wasn't it a few short months ago that the quip 'when Greenday and Andara agree on something the world's coming to an end' went up in a thread? Gave me giggles

Though (x2!) I wholeheartedly agree with this:

Really, though, this forum is for people to just vent their frustration and get stuff off their chest. It's not meant for people to come in and give them crap.