Was there a rule broken here? I'm a bit confused.

[LiveLoveLearn]

Hi ladies (and gents), I'm kind of confused about something.  I was following this thread: http://www.etiquettehell.com/smf/index.php?topic=37727.0 and noticed it had been locked.  It hadn't gotten heated and I wasn't aware of any rules being violated so I was left a little confused. If you'd be willing to offer any insight, especially regarding to rules broken or boundries overstepped, I'd really appriciate it.

If not, I understand, and thanks for your time either way.

~LLL

*edited to provide clarification

[rashea]

Probably because other similar threads have been heated (anything around the child-hater/child-free (negative version) etc tends to be heated). And probably because people were no longer discussing the etiquette. Actually, there was limited etiquette value to the thread. I don't think anyone argues that it is acceptable to kick out the hosts' children.

In the future, you are better off PMing a Mod if you question the reason a thread was closed. There have been a number of threads about closed/locked/deleted threads recently. The Mods and EHellDame have explained a number of times why they generally don't explain their reasoning.

[LiveLoveLearn]

I was more afraid that I'd missed an addendum to the rules, which is why I wanted to ask in an open forum, as opposed to bothering a mod about it directly.  Thanks for the insight; I am going to change the wording a bit in my question so that anyone who happens upon it will see it the way I meant it as opposed to questioning or just nosiness.

Looking at it in correlation with the other recently locked threads, I can see the trend and direction they've taken.  For some reason though I wasn't quite getting this one in context until another member was kind enough to offer me their insight/opinion on it.

Thanks again

[caranfin]

Actually, there was limited etiquette value to the thread. I don't think anyone argues that it is acceptable to kick out the hosts' children.

But don't we often discuss things that are clearly poor etiquette, just because... well... they are clearly poor etiquette? Are we only here to ask questions when we're not sure? I thought we were also allowed to discuss situations that were not in question.

[rashea]

Actually, there was limited etiquette value to the thread. I don't think anyone argues that it is acceptable to kick out the hosts' children.

But don't we often discuss things that are clearly poor etiquette, just because... well... they are clearly poor etiquette? Are we only here to ask questions when we're not sure? I thought we were also allowed to discuss situations that were not in question.

I agree, that happens. I think the issue was probably more that there wasn't further discussion of the etiquette. It seems like the thread had drifted to a point where etiquette was no longer being discussed. I could be wrong, that's just my guess.

[caranfin]

Actually, there was limited etiquette value to the thread. I don't think anyone argues that it is acceptable to kick out the hosts' children.

But don't we often discuss things that are clearly poor etiquette, just because... well... they are clearly poor etiquette? Are we only here to ask questions when we're not sure? I thought we were also allowed to discuss situations that were not in question.

I agree, that happens. I think the issue was probably more that there wasn't further discussion of the etiquette. It seems like the thread had drifted to a point where etiquette was no longer being discussed. I could be wrong, that's just my guess.

You're right. I was thinking of posts in general, and not that particular post, which had clearly drifted to some murky waters.

[Felica]

For the record, my actual etiquette question was what was the required etiquette of being in a house with children when you don't like them and what was the required etiquette of hosting someone who doesn't like children when children live there. I never once asked if it was acceptable for someone to ask that they be removed.

[cass2591]

It's a shame when some posters can't restrain themselves by declaring how much they dislike children.

There was nothing wrong with your OP, but the irrelevant responses would likely lead to something much more heated, and frankly, we're tired of reading about people who hate kids. It's not germaine to the forum, and for the life of me I don't understand why they just don't bother to post rather than proudly announce their dislike. And yes, we're well aware of who these particular posters are and our tolerance of their declarations is wearing quite thin.

[LiveLoveLearn]

Thank you, Cass.  You've cleared much up for me.  I guess I was kind of disappointed because I'd faced the OP's situation and wondered how to politely get someone out of my house, but then again, it's the same way you would in any circumstance.

Anyway, sorry to bring it all up, but thanks for helping me understand.

[behindbj]

It's a shame when some posters can't restrain themselves by declaring how much they dislike children.

There was nothing wrong with your OP, but the irrelevant responses would likely lead to something much more heated, and frankly, we're tired of reading about people who hate kids. It's not germaine to the forum, and for the life of me I don't understand why they just don't bother to post rather than proudly announce their dislike. And yes, we're well aware of who these particular posters are and our tolerance of their declarations is wearing quite thin.

Well, if you are referring to folks like me (those who prefer the company of adults) who mention this in the course of a thread about that subject, the judgements of others and the assumptions that we are all child-haters who want to see kids locked away until they are 30 and employed is wearing quite thin.  Don't hate 'em - just don't go out of my way to be around them.  And I am certainly not rude to them - even when they are (or their parents).

It's an equal shame to me that while I am expected to tolerate the opinion held by others that everyone should like children and that those of us who prefer the company of adults are somehow defective, mean or anti-social, I cannot receive the same consideration when politely expressing the opposite opinion.

Now, if you weren't referring to folks like me and MarinaDCA (who is also polite when discussing her opinion), then never mind.  And I do recognize that there are actual "child-haters" on this board and that this also strikes me as kind of odd.  I "hate" only very, very rarely (as it is too strong an emotion to visit upon someone lightly), and only individuals. 

behindbj