Folks, chat is chat. It is, by its very nature and definition, a fluid and ever-changing environment. Expecting it to be A, B or C all the time, no matter what the circumstance or participants, is unrealistic. Here or in any online chat room.

In order for your needs to be met (online or in real life), we all have to learn to assert ourselves. This is not always easy and in fact, I think most people have troubles with doing so. Especially when we are hurting or in need the most. That is probably some sort of cruel irony, yet it's probably true for most....

The gist is simple -- if you need support at an especially difficult time, you have to go into chat and find a way to ask for it.

If others in the chat ignore you or continue their social chat, then yes, perhaps they are being thoughtless. Or perhaps they are not, because as others have said, it's hard to guess other people's motives without getting inside their heads. Regardless, you can ask again or come back another time when there are other, more thoughtful people in the room who will pause their social chat and try to be supportive of your immediate needs.

And this is not just directed at any one person...

As I said, chat is an ever-changing, fluid environment and it is best to acknowledge its nature rather than trying to force it into being something it's not. It's not for everyone.

DocJohn