All that is fine and dandy, but beside my point. I'd agree with you that spurious jeering is Not Nice, and a Bad Thing; my question was more to do with criticising something (anything, not just this bloke's 'ironing board'...) if one is to hold the premise 'If you've nothing good to say, say nothing'. It's rare (but not unheard of...) for me to offer derogatory comments unless there is mention of 'Comments welcome', or 'What do you think of it..?', in which case I'll give my honest view, whether good or bad. I would rarely shoot down in flames, and usually try to inject a note of humour, or at least attempt some positive council if I can, but I'm not really a 'sugar-coated' person, and, whilst avoiding giving offence for its own sake, think that calling a spade a spade is permissible, and even recommended.