Disclaimer: My replies do not represent the views of any other female members. These are solely mine. Moreover, they are not intended to offend anyone's sensibilities.
@ Dark Star: "A phenomenon that has cropped up recently, is excessive hooting at new female members of the forum when they introduce themselves in the new members introduction forum. The act of passing cheap comments, 'wink wink nudge nudge' hints, excessive displays of testosteronic joy, and general innuendo bandied about is degrading to the forum, the new member, and reflects badly on the poster/s engaged in this 'excercise'."
Seriously, it’s all in good fun and no offence taken. It’s not like the male members are popping out of the computer screens to meet the female members. Furthermore, what is “excessive display of testosteronic joy”? Please explain. Tomorrow when I welcome three male members back-to-back (I currently don’t welcome anyone), will I be described as exuding “excessive displays of estrogenic joys”?
Secondly, if someone wants to complain about anything they find offending, there is a “report post” link given under the avatar. I don’t think the male members prevent the female members from using that. May be you should mail an email about how to go about this forum – tell what is the thanks link, the report post link, the edit post option, the delete visitor message option – before letting any new member post or start an intro thread. You guys just leave everyone out to figure stuff – it took me weeks. This way, the new member knows the options he/she can avail and the old members know their limits.
As for cheap comments, they are far less on the intro thread than on the threads being discussed elsewhere here. For instance, do go and check out the “Sikhs asked to leave Orakzai Agency” thread. Two members found it quite hilarious to discuss “the price” of a Sikh girl and American “lass”. Last I checked they were still there. Similarly, the thread, “Women’s thoughts under scrutiny” — It is typecasting of the worst order. Don’t have this “don’t be disrespectful” to women rule in the intro section only, have it across the board.
While your concerns are genuine, I am guessing we are all mature enough to have a little fun. If someone can’t, then an easy way is to ignore those threads. Every day there are at least 10 new threads started but one doesn’t comment on each and every single one of them because one chooses not to. Not that one doesn’t have an opinion about those topics.
@ MuradK:"I think go back to your village. oh bahi khuda ka wasta hai dont bring religion into this , My recommendation you stay at that Islamic forum and God be with you. Amen. The girls on this forum are pretty mature and can handle them selves very well. Thankyou for the lecture Mulana Sahib."
I echo your sentiments about the girls being mature! Thank you!
@Asim Aquil: We're a secular forum and what brought his on is a continued commitment to professionalism and of course the renowned Pakistani etiquettes of the respect that should be endowed towards women, the same etiquettes taught by most Pakistani Ma's and Pa's. I think DS's message is self explanatory and it serves the purpose A OK.
No Asim, DarkStar's message is not self-explanatory. Secondly, if you want the male members to behave "professionally" with the female members, put this as part of the rules. Thirdly, as for the "renowned Pakistani etiquettes endowed towards women", you need to list them out. Being a female who lives in Pakistani, I don’t know what these “renowned Pakistani etiquettes” are.
What should be emphasised is decorum and respect towards all members regardless of their gender. Otherwise you bring in an element of discrimination and inequality. I have come across posts where posters start their comments with words such as "idiot", "loser" etc etc with members of this forum they are vaguely familiar with let alone being on friendly terms. I won't say that I don't indulge in this, but not with members who I don't know. There is something called "good behaviour" which is amiss here en masse. You need to work on that.