But I've noticed a change in the last month or so. Maybe people have just become too comfortable, too relaxed?
Yes, that's what's happening, and it's both good and bad at the same time.
It's good that people are getting close to each other and feel comfortable. It means the site functions well as a community.
It's bad because stuff like that turns off new or potentially new users.
The guidelines must accommodate the existing members and the new members to the greatest extent possible. Otherwise, the board will suffer.
And I really don't want to go to the extreme for the benefit of one group at the expense of the other.
That was the idea behind the PDA section. It's a place for people who've become really comfortable with each other to have fun (or shed some tears) together. At the same time, new members are only likely to start frequenting PDA once they've become regulars and made some friends here.