I think it depends on the severity of the topic. If you've got someone ranting about something that hacks them off, then I see nothing wrong with the occasional lighthearted comment thrown in. But if it's a VERY serious topic, then yes, it can be quite irritating when others make light of it.

I can't recall the thread now (it was back when I first joined) but this poor soul was seriously upset and concerned about something they wanted to talk about and halfway through the thread was a bunch of posts from one or two people going off in their own world about something or another (fluffy stuff, as it's being called) and it was rather unsettling to see the fluff being thrown about in such a serious topic. A couple of others actually asked the two "fluffernutters" (LOL, just made that up) to please be respectful of the OP's concerns and take their goofy garbage somewhere else.

In those cases - in the cases of serious topics where the OP is genuinely sad/concerned/upset about whatever the topic is - then I think it's disrespectful to jump in and start with the fluff, when it's sometimes clear that's not what the OP wants.

In other words, there's a time and place for everything and the fluff does not belong everywhere.

Agreed with you on your post 128 - not the second one though - this thread is hardly 'serious' ........

Can I just volunteer if I ever come on here moaning or distressed for gawds sake cheer me up with some fluff if you have any. Help if you can obviously but fluff may just make me feel better !

I'm not talking about this thread, just to make that clear

That's fine gal - just checking on yer marble status