DEAR MEMBERS,

First, I am awfully sorry for using the photos of some of the members here, without permission, in one of my worksheets.

When I uploaded a sample of my speaking cards worksheet on eslprintables members, I was full of hope that I would be widely acclaimed by the other members. As Victor Gayol said, I had good intentions. In fact, my aim was to help members of this community communicate better. I even checked my e-mail to see if anyone sent me his/her fact file so that I would go on working on the other worksheets .Unfortunately, some of the reactions were full of cultural misjudgements, lack of respect and pure mockery. They made me reconsider my opinion about some members whom I�ve admired so much for their contributions so far.

What I don�t understand is how one can be a defenders of morality and good manners when he/she gives himself / herself the right to mock another person or treat him as a picture freak/ eccentric / weird/unusual person. To teach manners, one has to do so through actions not words. I am wondering where these people�s manners were when they treated me as a freak.

What�s worse, mamagalef started by making insinuations "Do you collect pictures, Hicham? This is really freaky..." She went on chatting with her dearest Frenchfrog : "Miriam, your former picture was probably saved as well..." Then, Frenchfrog suddenly became so thoughtful about the other members of the community who used Avatars instead of their photos: " I don�t know if they were also scared to see their pictures being used ..."

Don�t worry! There is nothing to be scared about as your pictures were published on the site and anybody could have used them illicitly before I did so. So please don�t exaggerate. The truth is that I always kept a record of the Comment Pages because they helped me have a clear idea about the members who downloaded my worksheets when I leave the cybercaf� and go home.

Remember! your own code of values isn�t the only and the one to be referred to when talking about manners and matters of respect .Culture is the window through which we see the world. As a Muslim, I never dare to have eye contact with another woman with the exception of my wife, let alone to be a women�s picture freak.

Hi Hicham

By the way, my name is Miriam

I promised myself I wouldn�t start or take part in any controversial topic in the forum but after seeing the worksheet I took a couple of days to think about all the controversy around this matter. As Frenchfrog said I changed my picture and yes, there is a link. I�m not a star, not a famous person. I uploaded my pic because I thought and I still think it�s nice to see your friends� faces and let them see yours (though you must know I�m very shy and never use my image, not even with my messenger account) How naive! I thought and still think that we are a big family but I could have never imagined that our faces would appear with private and false information in a worksheet. I was lucky: my face was not there and maybe it would never appear in the �hall of star teachers� worksheet but I won�t take the risk.  I understand Frenchfrog. I know there are people who don�t mind it but others do and that�s why we should ask for permission. I know that when you publish your pic you cannot complain but it�s a matter of respect and manners. Frenchfrog said a lot of times that she doesn�t want to upload her pic, whatever resons she has. It�s her decision and we must repect it.  Another point I don�t undertand: do you collect pictures? This is really freaky...

Hope you enjoy my �pa amb tomaquet�, a typical Catalan dish: bread, tomato and ham

A big hug and my respect and admiration to Frenchfrog and those great members who make this site a wonderful world