What is your rep average?

[Jack]

Alright, I have heard a lot about "rep". Negative and positive and their definition is fairly obvious.

Have no idea what my "rep" is and for the most part do not care.

So someone please tell me the why and what of "rep". Is it like green stamps?

While my curiosity is piqued what is meant by the green shaded squares below the post count?

Pardon my ignorance in this matter but to some, rep seems very important. Having a hip flask full of cognac keeping warm under your clothes when fishing in winter is important. Important to me but probably equally unimportant to others. I reckon this is how I see "rep".

Please don't negrep (is that a word?) me if you don't like/agree with me. It may ruin my day.