I have made some good friends online as well, i just think some people have less tolerance in a discussion online for some reason, words get put into people's mouths and misinterpretations become a problem, this rarely happens in a face to face situation when discussing bikes. I was at a huge bike show a couple of weeks ago and spoke to plenty of guys with the same interests and i think a lot comes from speaking to people in person because it becomes quite obvious what someone means particularly when you can see their facial expressions....We Aussies just love taking the piss {mickey} out of each other, humour is part of the way we communicate, i know that freaks out some of our international friends but most come to accept it and participate readily once accustomed to it....
I have some Japanese friends and boy, did it take a while before they worked us out..... 
Bruce is right.
All sorts of messages get crossed when you can't hear the inflection in someones voice, or see their body language.
I have to admit, I was saying to myself that the Aussie's are going to think we Americans are all PC and soft. Have we turned into a nation of hippies? We can't take it anymore? Really?
I've been picked on my whole life. Sometimes in good fun, sometimes flat out hate. I've taken my lumps and kicks to the nuts, and I got over it. Hell, most of my closest friends started out as enemies. We'd fight, get it over with and then drink a beer and laugh about it.
I know that's it's a Northeast thing to be sarcastic and bust ballz, and much of the rest of the country doesn't get it. My dad grew up in the Bronx, and most of my family lives in North Jersey. You can imagine what family get togethers are like.
This is all a bunch of crap, and I know none of you give a flying feck, but maybe it will help heal a wound or two out there. I guess I'm handing out a few beers in the hope that ends this. SOHC4...F*^K YEAH!!
