mine needs flaunting ..... I was brought up poor so I learnt to exaggerate any displays of wealth to compensate for being penniless, too old to change now, oops I meant too Gold :-)

Sorry. Suck it. Mine's staying. If certain people stopped rubbing it in people's face, there wouldn't be a perceived problem.

They can pry my coin from my cold dead hands

Bottom line is someone important feels uncomfortable, don't you guys think it is time to do the 'right thing' ....... we're all comrades here aren't we !!

@ NB: I think you meant "poorly", not "poor". Anyway, a turd wrapped in gold is still a turd.

@Nigee - Stop the bullshit. If you stop acting like a dick, then there is no issue.

@jimgov - if only I was that important, I didn't invent the badges Tiger, it wasn't my idea. I would have stopped at emoticons

NigeeBaby if you STOP making jokes about people who don't have badges then maybe people won't feel uncomfortable.

Nobody needs to donate if they don't want to. It's no big deal. We all have different priorities, we are different ages and different incomes (most people here are students). All that matters is that Kestas has enough money do keep the server running (which I understand that he does).

The ONLY reason Kestas has talked about getting rid of the badges is because of the comments the YOU have been making.

BUT this would be a shame because the badges do remind people to donate IF they feel so inclined. The site actually doesn't need that many donators, but we can at least maximize (subtlety) the number who do, by a little non-intrusive advertising (ie the badges).

Just in case the above sounds harsh, I don't mean to. I am just trying to make my point clear :-)

Coins don't make people feel uncomfortable.
People make people feel uncomfortable.

@HR - LOL

@HR - good point, I'm completely comfortable with people wrestling with their own conscience, I know mine is clear.
It is clear that this is a FREE site so all those people having trouble sleeping over this issue can rest a bit easier in their beds tonight, I'm not elitist, I'm just taking the piss !!

@Nigee - Kestas asked you nicely by not calling you out specifically but you are the only one badgering people to donate so shut the fuck up already or I will offer to donate another $100 if he takes you badge away. Kestas gives and Kestas cam take away.

If that happens, the I think draug should get to wear both gold badges. It would be a subtle reminder that if you flaunt it too much, someone can buy it away from you

We clearly have a different idea of the word 'subtle'. ;-)

I don't care about badges guy, but I can see it stirs a few passions amongst the social elitists on webdip .... be warned, stress is a killer, just chill

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx6TBrfCW54

Spot on .... we don't need no stinking badges

NigeeBaby: You may only be taking the piss, but you are taking it TOO FAR. Just stop it now, please.

(I am incredibly vain and donated only so I'd get a badge. If they take them away, I want my 11 Australian dollars back)

whatever .... not interested

Don't start threads like this then.

I want my $100 AU back if they take away my badge.

I have noticed though that some people don't even have badges, including some of the Mods ...... just saying !!

Their chequered flags demonstrate what they contribute to the site.

Agreed. Jamie +1! Nigee, shut the fuck up already.

Steady on Draug, it's not even the weekend, a bit early to be hitting the sauce, you gotta sober up Tiger

Nigee - I know you're just taking the piss, but you're trying my patience ("taking the piss" roughly translates to "fucking with you" in American).

Guys, stop responding to him. He's become a better troll lately since he found a topic that causes a reaction. Guess he was jealous of Split taking away all the attention from him.

I'm muting this thread, you guys carry on though, I'm really not interested

I, for one, would be very willing to donate to this site, which has drawn forth elation, surprise, shock, horror, despair, desperation, suicidal tendencies: all emotions I can use.
It has also instilled patience, impatience, forgiveness, revenge, kindness, beastliness, and a whole bunch of other -nesses and nouns.
However - and this a big however - I have never in my life done any financial business online. I don't even use a credit card. I work with cash only. So, next time I'm on Cyprus (I think it is), believe me when I say I will drop Kestas a bundle (and, perhaps, finally gain my Brownie/Nigee badge).
.

ps Ironically, my experience of the site has probably screwed forever any diplomatic skills I may once have possessed.

Timur - kestas is in Australia I believe, but there are plenty in Cyprus who need your money.

@Nigee: "I learnt to exaggerate any displays of wealth to compensate for being penniless"
So now it's 'Five Yorkshiremen', is it?

@Maniac: North, South or both? Actually, I'm a lot nearer Australia.

Perth - he is or was a student at Curtin University

You could buy a money order and postal mail it to him.

Ever tried such a simple operation in China? Mind-bending.
As it happens, just spoke to a Ukranian girl today who paid 4 visits to a bank in Henan over a number of weeks to organise a transfer of money back to her mother. Met her in Hong Kong cos that's the only place she could do it.

"But the post office has been stolen And the mailbox is locked. Oh, Mama, can this really be the end?"

I forgot where you were located Timur. Next time you get a reprieve to a safer to mail from country, do it there. And if you have a bank account in a safer country, you can always write him a check.

Will do. Thx. Really.

I've already promised to donate in December (when I'm 18). Till then, Abge can check back on a day-by-day basis to see if I've come up with the money because I know he cares that dearly.

Funnily enough, was over in HK trying to set up an HK account with my bank. Not so easy. They need evidence of my address in Scotland. Pointed out that I hadn't been there in 10-years and anyway it was in the middle of a relatively large forest in the northern Highlands which took a lumber truck, track vehicle or cross-country skis to traverse, depending on the weather, which was rather important, and didn't have much of an address. Bogancloch. Google it, if you like. It seems to work, much to my surprise. *The* Bogancloch in all the whole wide universe. One universe: one bogancloch. Seems fair. You might just meet my best friend Jake there. If so, say hello from al. Despite being buried in the back of beyond, he loves connections. I'm not really that way inclined. I can keep my own company.

That's very poetic Timur, I can just imagine it having been to Inverness, you Jock :)

Sounds like a place I'd love to visit to get away from it all. I've always thought about the "Girzzly Adams" life. No computers. Live off the land. I've even considered the Quaker life style, but I'm not a religious man like them.

Sorry, folks. Seem to be derailing things unintentionally. Always blame the tequila. I do.
Ok. Back to what matters. Where's my f'ing badge, Nigee? I should get a 'well he tried, but just couldn't make it' or something. But what? F'ing nothing whatsoever for all the precious hours of my time I have spent on this site trying to keep you all on edge (in games) and occasionally mildly amused (albeit with a wan smile, I noticed.)
['Nigeeeeee . . . . you ain't ma baby no mo-o-o-re.']

Draug, nature becomes whatever religion means to others.

I agree. But to live amongst the Quakers, you must become a Quaker. They don't allow outsiders to live in their close knit communities. And I still need human companionship so a true Grizzly Adams style life doesn't work so well.

In an Edinburgh street at 11pm, walking down the street with no agenda, I see three drunken teens heading my way; I'm on my guard immediately and opting for avoidance, if possible.
In Clashindarroch Forest at 3pm, walking down the track with no agenda, I see a very large tawny cat (like majorly large, as in a David Attenborough documentary - we're talking puma, panther, leopard without the spots territory here) wandering out of the trees, clearly with no particular agenda of its own. About 20 yards/metres away. We were equally surprised. We stopped, locked eyes. Saw it was cool. Moved on.

If you're seriously considering a change, check out the Findhorn Foundation.

I'd love to, but I'm a slave to wages, debts, and the wife.