>Again the sweeping generalizations. I didn't say everything here is pathetic and laughable, only a handful. I enjoy the thread, have been helped on occasion, have been here since the very beginning and have seen the thread go from a great resource to a so-so one, but I guess that's the price you pay for progress.

The generalization is made for effect in expressing the idea.

>I've often wondered whether the comments posted by people from other countries lose something in translation that makes them sound ridiculous, or if its cultural differences. Probably a combination of both. I suppose if I reply in one of the 5 languages I speak, that I would probably sound the same.

I am not sure what or who you refer to here? I am a lifelong native English speaker. Perhaps you refer to someone else. More likely I think is the nature of the medium, as you know. Lack of other visual clues, etc.