I've just been on another board where one member got concerned about privacy issues. The result was that some other members changed their userids and IDs with no notice. I came to the forum and suddenly saw what looked to me like a bunch of new members, only they weren't, and everyone else seemed to "get" who they were in their new identities. I was the only one who didn't, and it made me feel stupid. It was like a prank where everyone else is wearing disguises but they all can recognize each other and I'm the only one out of the loop. I tried to explain how it made me feel and the others defended the pranksters and didn't get where I was coming from at all.
Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in a group activity who's standing on the outside looking in and they all want me to join the fun and then they do something like this and I'm the only one who doesn't get what's going on. I hate that feeling.
I've already retreated as far as I know how from some real-life groups I tried. That other board seemed like such a friendly and kind community, but suddenly something like this happens and they explain their reasons but when I try to explain mine they get all defensive.
Horses have it so much easier. Everyone -- even humans -- gets what ears laid back and teeth bared mean!