I don't mind (I might even enjoy it), if someone wants to technically criticise my (or other peoples) posts. We can have some nice and educational discussions, which is what forums are for.
I completely agree. It’s not always fun to be get critical feedback or even be proven wrong, but if the feedback is factually correct, then I’ll learn from it, and for that I am grateful.
Sometimes, it takes some verbal sparring to get to the root of a problem or solution, but that’s ok too.
And sadly with some people they are incapable of taking any feedback whatsoever and just time and time again won't accept corrections in any form no matter how gross the errors they make, and if it is patently obvious to everybody including themselves that they have made a mistake, argue in circles until they start throwing accusations of bullying or vendettas around when people won't just agree with. I've just had to finally add someone I otherwise actively
like to my ignore list on a certain forum after years of this and years of trying to steer them away from doing that. And in case someone thinks this is an excuse to hurl accusations that it's just me and my bundle of anti-social tendencies, I'll point out that over they years I've been DM'd by many people about the same individual, so this isn't just
my reaction to, or opinion of, this individual. It's sad when you have to admit that someone is a lost case and that the discussion will only improve without them.
I'd point out that you and I have had our disagreements in the past, but that doesn't stop us having a civilised conversation and giving and accepting
useful corrections when they are called for. I will also admit that I might
just, perhaps, rarely, poke fun at you when you stand on your professional dignity as a linguist but your saving grace in that regard is that (1) you usually recognise it as merely poking fun, (2) you don't by implication fall back on any professional titles you
may have acquired when I do so. As far as the whole American/English thing goes I still maintain it's all because Noah Webster never actually learned to spell.

Edit: typo s/mater/matter/ - clearly
I haven't learned to spell either.