I'm sure that each & every one of us is part of some "clique" -- whether it's friends or family or co-workers. I've been very fortunate to be a part of an organization that happens to also be a place where I have made some really great friends. Some of these friendships are almost twenty years old. Many of our club members have been fortunate enough to have had their chipping friendships even longer. What some of the "clique" protagonists don't seem to understand is that -- as it is with most circle of friends -- someone new takes some time to be fully welcomed in any group. Not gonna happen automatically or maybe at all. Many of my chipping friends also happen to have OTHER groups of chipping friends. I don't get all butt-hurt when they do things with their other groups of friends & don't include me. One thing that I do understand -- this is a HOBBY for most people, something that we do that brings some enjoyment in our spare time. If someone is being a drama queen or just being a D*CK, why would ANYONE want to spend time with that person? It just takes away a little bit of the fun of this -- or any -- hobby. And that's what happens a lot with this "clique" stuff -- people are welcomed into the club or the hobby and can't understand that it takes times to become friends. There are several people on this message board (like YOU and Pam G) that I have never met, but look forward to someday meeting you in person because you seem like nice people. And there are others in this hobby that I just avoid or who avoid me. That's life, I guess.

Steve B