I was at this forum which was one of those bogus off-topic forums you find everywhere. You know the kind, a generic discussion board.
There was this topic that basically said "Read the newsletter or Bertha will eat his hat". I posted in it demanding Bertha to eat the hat (it was an old topic). Someone else came and we laughed about the topic, which was pretty humorous, and even posted and image of someone eating a hat. Turns out Bertha didn't like this-- she was really rude about it and took it personally even though nobody who was posting really knew who this member was, and all we did was post a joke about hat eating (how does somebody get angry at that lol).
Next minute I know the topic is locked and the moderator tells me that I'm "bullying and antagonizing". I send a PM to them asking what exactly was the issue, and point out nothing was offensive and it was all light hearted humor. He threatens me in PM, saying that "he is a cop and he won't listen to thugs like me".
This seemed odd, so I asked another member of staff why this was being taken so severely when nothing happened. I cited the topic, pointed out the issues I had with what happened, and asked if there was a way to resolve this so there could be a positive outcome for everyone involved as the topic ended uncomfortably. I specifically mentioned I found it strange as to what such harsh action was taken and if the topic could ever be unlocked as it seemed a shame to have it closed over nothing (this is quite a small community FYI, and this topic was particularly old and well discussed). I also mentioned it was odd how very harmless humor about someone eating a hat was considered offensive (noting we didn't start the topic, just continued posting in it).
I visit and I find myself permanently later banned for "not listening to a moderator".
Am I going mad or do you think any of this was justified? I just don't get what happened, I'm still like lolwut. All I did was joke with someone about a guy eating his hat, then try to find out why there was such strict staff action over nothing and what was going on. In hindsight, if the staff were that touchy over nothing perhaps expecting to resolve it over PM was a dangerous idea.
Luckily the website wasn't that great, it was really inactive and I found myself having trouble to start meaningful discussion. Still, disappointed at what happened.
Let me stress that these people are adults (apparently). I just want to know if anyone else has ever had a strange situation like this before .
