Can the mods set up a “Dating & Relationships Forum” for all the posts about dating, sex, picking up local chicks, complaints about feminism, men vs. women, etc., etc. ad nauseum? There are about a dozen active threads related to these topics bogging down the “Living…” and “Open” forums that could be immediately moved to a “Dating…” forum.
I agree, I have suggested it before. Even before recently, there were a lot of threads on that subject.
In addition to Dating & Relationships, why not set up another forum called “Sexpats” for recently active and disturbingly popular topics about prostitution (I love how everybody’s an expert), the “sexpertise” of women in different Asian countries, why Taiwanese men think “white girls are sluts,” and not to mention favorites from the recent past about getting cravings for Western vs. Asian girls (and African men).
You should set up some place for these threads since they’re so popular with the more gutter-minded posters who keep them alive with constant jokes. Put them in their own category so the rest of us don’t even have to see the title. Leaving them in the Living and Open forums make the site look juvenile. And you guys want to attract donors?
Dating and relationships makes sense as a forum.
Why?
Quite simply, there are a few threads on it, and since a large part of the regular posters are in some kind of relationships, it makes sense.
Most of the posters are in intercultural relationships, and we big nose (often men) foreigners tend to face the same issues, and well, we also need to be able to support, listen and poke fun at each other over those issues.
I think a lot of people would like to see this forum someday. I would. But what sinks the idea every time is that we feel there needs to be clear rules for that forum.
Call me a pessimist, but I expect such a forum to stir controversy. If there are clear rules that the moderator can refer to – which are more strict than the rest of the website – then a dating, relationships, sex, etc forum will gain traction, in my personal opinion
I realize this is in no way helpful, but you gotta love the title “Sexpats” for a forum… 
Well, what kind of alternative rules should we come up with?
No mentioning of names and contact details on any spurning (ex)partners.
Sexually explicit postings should be worded with caution, IE topics like [PROFANITY] "I f*d this ck up the a**e, will I get a veneral disease? [/PROFANITY] ought to be weeded out or renamed.
No advertising of sex parties.
Apart from that, then the usual rules on racism, mutual respect etc. should be enough to keep things under control.
Moreover, I have a chocking suggestion. Why don’t we just start it up with some initial rules posted so they are easy for all to see, and then if things start to spin out of control, then either close it down (at least for a period of time) or revise the rules.
After all, the very lively open forum started out that way.
Moreover, different forums have a different feel to them, you can’t flame people in the “where can I find” forum and get away with it. However, it’s part and parcel of the “Taiwan politics” forum. Therefore, at least some of the problems which might arise could be handled by simply interpreting the rules more to the letter than in other forums.
Would we be able to post pictures in that forum? 
I think the normal forumosa rules would cover that point, but if you really feel the need to share them with someone, then just send them my way… 
Hey… how about taking a poll on this?
All together, I have had 6 years on this island, and see myself as an aspiring old-timer. the relationships I have been in here have been quite interesting, and well… if there had been a place back then where I could vent my frustrations and my happiness over the inter-cultural relationships I have been in, then life here might have been easier.
After all, Oriented/Segue/Forumosa sorted me out with a drivers licence, work permit, residence permit etc… also I met several people on the boards, people I call friends now.
…And… With the danger of repeating myself, then relationships and dating is a very crucial part of life here, be it that you are screwing around, or in a stable long-term relationship. Moreover, as most people here are in inter-cultural relationships, which pose some unique challenges, having a dedicated place where to vent and exchange experience would be a very good thing indeed.
I was thinking more of a discussion forum than classifieds. There’s plenty of acceptable threads about relationships in “Living in Taiwan” and “Open”, but I agree with Mr He and others that someone (eh bob?) might try our patience with things like “Why are Taiwanese girls sluts ?”
But Classifieds is not a bad idea either. On that note, anyone want a bit of fluff on the side ? Nudge nudge wink wink 
sorry, for cutting your post in half, but well. I agree. The bank of threads and the fact that they demonstrate a need should be enough to convince the powers that be on Forumosa.
There are naturally concerns that need to be adressed, but that’s addressed by setting some clear rules of what’s acceptable, and then apply them consistently.
As old threads about dating and relationships show, it’s entirely possible to dissuss, help out, and swap experience without dissing too much on any ethnic group - some dissing will take place as many intercultural relationship issues are exactly that - intercultural, but well, with a bit of firm, friendly moderating initially, an acceptable line could be laid down. If it fails, then the solution is easy - revisit the rules, the moderator, or shut it down again.
If we don’t try, we will never know it it turns out to be a valuable resource or not.
Excuse me for bumping, but well… Would it not make sense for Forumosa to have such a forum moderated separately from the Living in Taiwan forum?
Any new thoughts about this? Perhaps a poll?
The forum will come into existence in the very near future. In fact, it already exists, but only the moderators can see it. (The moderators for this forum are Yellow Cartman and Erhu.) We’re giving them some time to figure out how to use the moderating tools, and also for them to meet and discuss how they are going to be moderating it…
I think it is a good idea … kind of a “prequel” to the Marriage in Taiwan Forum …
It could just as easily be a “sequel”…