[Brigit]

I received a PM today, containing the below request
Requesting removal of * references and home page from profile. Hello Brigit,
Since you have joined India Mike there has been a considerable tightening of rules regarding advertising and commercial activity. With this in mind, we are requesting that you remove your Home Page link to your business(I never had one, but to my my space page, now non existent), * in Pushkar. Also could you please remove any reference to the fact that you are a * and that you are living in and running a *. We value your contributions to India Mike, but request you make no reference to the * in any of your posts, as this may be considered a form of advertising.
I don't want to be a grump or make any problems and I don't mind being asked not to advertise on the sight (quite right that I should be), and have alway been very careful not to, but to be asked not to mention what I do? Well that seem dishonest to me. If I were a web page designer would mentioning mean I was scouting for work? Or would it mean I was qualifying where my knowledge came from?
I feel that at times to not mention what I do could mislead people or at best confuse them as to were I am coming from.
I'm confused, and to tell the truth, at little hurt at the suggestion that any mention of my busyness must be advertising!
When I have mentioned my busyness in the past I've felt it as a disclaimer, I think this is good but you must be aware that I have reason extra reasons to feel like this, type of thing.
Anyhow just wanted to say this publicly, maybe another disclamer

[Aishah]

Brigit
We would normally take this immediately to PM, but perhaps it is useful for other members to see how we think on this issue.

I don't want to be a grump or make any problems and I don't mind being asked not to advertise on the sight (quite right that I should be), and have alway been very careful not to, but to be asked not to mention what I do? Well that seem dishonest to me. If I were a web page designer would mentioning mean I was scouting for work? Or would it mean I was qualifying where my knowledge came from?

If you join the site now, or for some time past, you will find, in big red letters at the top of our terms, a statement to the effect that we do not permit members of the travel trade to join. This was originally implemented by the original Mike, as chasing them was one of the reasons the site eventually became no fun to him any longer.
At that time a few established members were permitted to remain.
Since the more recent tightening-up, members who admit to belonging to the profession are simply banned.
There are quite a few members who are in the trade, who join as individuals, and if they do not mention that fact, then that is fine. How are we to know if they are guesthouse owners, travel agents or brain surgeons? However, we expect 100% discretion, and there is no exception to this rule.
When the rules were tightened a while ago, we collected as many names as we could find, and approached each one personally, pointing out that links to their businesses in signature, or Home Page on Profile, or Occupation details etc. were no longer acceptable. We told each one their continuing membership was not in question so long as they made the necessary changes. Most did. Some increased the subtlety of their advertising, or transferred to PM'ing people. They are, as the saying goes, no longer with us.

I feel that at times to not mention what I do could mislead people or at best confuse them as to were I am coming from.
I'm confused, and to tell the truth, at little hurt at the suggestion that any mention of my busyness must be dvertising!
When I have mentioned my busyness in the past I've felt it as a disclaimer, I think this is good but you must be aware that I have reason extra reasons to feel like this, type of thing.
Anyhow just wanted to say this publicly, maybe another disclamer

Certainly, not our intention to cause you any hurt, or to imply that your behaviour has been wrong. Your point of view is valid, and we are not saying that you have any other motives.
However, we must apply the same rule to all, in the same way.
We hope that you will accept our explanation, and that you will continue to enjoy your membership.

[Nick-H]

Aishah and I both answered at the same time, then, seeing that the other had posted, we both deleted at the same time!


Aishah...

After you...

[Aishah]

What a gentleman you are, Nick!

[Aishah]

Mod Note: This thread has been moved out of Chai and Chat into a more appropriate forum - Forum Help..
Because the post in reply to Brigit's question is more in the nature of being explanatory re India Mike's Forum Rules and policies, it is not open for general discussion here.
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