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AIBU?

To wonder why there’s suddenly an influx of American posters?

90 replies

Wonderwomam · 14/02/2019 12:47

It seems every other thread I open is from an American poster. It’s all well, the more the merrier, but there’s some advice being given on some threads that just wouldn’t work here and vice versa. I can’t pin point each thing I’ve read as there’s so many. One example is about school problems; how can we advise someone living in another country how to sort school issues? The system is completely different.

I’m wondering was there some kind of big story like the bloody beaker that’s seen an influx of people from the US, or is MN just getting bigger and bigger?!

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WarpedGalaxy · 14/02/2019 12:57

There have always been a lot of American or, as in my case, US based posters here. The time zone difference may account for why you haven’t always noticed them, have you recently changed your posting times pattern?
I’m 8 hours behind the U.K. so my posting is generally around this time of day ie very early morning here, noon to mid afternoon there and after I finish work work which is very late evening to early hours of the morning your time. I see a lot more American input at those times too.

As for your point about advice, sure, some advice wouldn’t work or apply given systemic differences in education, healthcare etc but I find in general terms most of what’s discussed in mumsnet is universally applicable.

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halfwitpicker · 14/02/2019 12:59

Might not be Americans, just Brits abroad as it were

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JinglingHellsBells · 14/02/2019 13:01

The other difficulty is health issues. They have a totally different system in the US and don't seem to understand out NHS/ private system. They also think all gynaes are obstetricians as well as they refer to OBS/GYNES in their posts whereas in the UK you can be one but not always the other.

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Seaseasea · 14/02/2019 13:07

Maybe the feminism board bought them here?
I saw on there that a feminist travelled to the USA and met with Trump supporters a few weeks ago and they have lots of support on MN

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Wonderwomam · 14/02/2019 13:11

No, I haven’t changed my posting times. I generally browse threads throughout the day.

I don’t think they’re Brits abroad, because you can tell when they post as the language comes across as British English.

Yes the health topic is another one. I’ve seen so many posts about certain things that don’t make sense here, or weird advice. It can be quite confusing.

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Wonderwomam · 14/02/2019 13:12

Wait, what? Why did she meet trump supporters?!! Deary me.

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QuintadiMalago · 14/02/2019 13:14

Seaseasea
I'd double check your information, what you've posted is not actually correct

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SenecaFalls · 14/02/2019 13:16

I've been on here for seven years. I found MN from googling a particular issue. I think lots of other Americans find MN that way.

Also my gynecologist doesn't do obstetrics. That combination is not universal in the US.

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zzzzz · 14/02/2019 13:17

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

implantsandaDyson · 14/02/2019 13:20

I haven't noticed a recent jump. I always thought there were lots of posters in the US on MN. And to be fair health and education differs hugely across the UK. I'm in NI and school starting age, post primary education, transfer tests, school holidays etc all differ.

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PennyMordauntsLadyBrain · 14/02/2019 13:21

MN was mentioned in that recent NY Times (?) article re UK transphobic feminism Hmm, wasn’t it?

I think the robust debate on the feminism board is bringing a lot of attention to the site, and people maybe hang around after finding the joy that is AIBU.

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Serendipitybojangle · 14/02/2019 13:23

I'm from the UK but have lived in the US for a long time. I like being on here as a way to help stay connected with my home country. I wouldn't expect to get advice about healthcare or schooling though because, as you say it's so different.

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Vampirelestat · 14/02/2019 13:24

Puerto Rican/American here was living in England when I found this site.Nearly ten years ago,now living in Ireland and still love it.Many people do not have friends or family near so this is like a second home.😁🖤I do not post often hello 👋

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QuintadiMalago · 14/02/2019 13:24

@zzzzz
It far too long and complicated and is nothing to do with an influx of Americans. Check out FWR and you'll understand what I mean

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Wolfiefan · 14/02/2019 13:26

Sneaking in to say hi to all US posters. Welcome. It’s MN.com. Not MN.UK!!

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spanishwife · 14/02/2019 13:32

It doesn't say anywhere that this site is just for Brits... I'm raising Spanish kids, am I welcome?

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Wolfiefan · 14/02/2019 13:34

YES. Welcome!!!!!

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WorraLiberty · 14/02/2019 13:37

For goodness sake, no-one has said it's just for Brits.

That's not what the OP's about at all.

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spanishwife · 14/02/2019 13:38

I think it does help when people state what country they are from/where they are living in the original post as it helps to give advice based on cultural norms, as well as things like healthcare/schooling as stated above.

Lots don't and then it's dripped page 4 as people worry it's too 'outing'!

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PrickWhittington · 14/02/2019 13:45

One example is about school problems; how can we advise someone living in another country how to sort school issues? The system is completely different.

Well, maybe leave it to the other American's if there's that many of them ? Hmm

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zzzzz · 14/02/2019 13:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SeaToSki · 14/02/2019 13:47

US based Brit here. I know my language choices have morphed to a more American format, its funny how I have to impose an in brain translator when posting to try and switch my prose back to a more British style, and then battle the auto correct to put the u back in colour and s intead of z.

I have noticed more incongruencies with non UK posters asking for advice and receiving UK based suggestions even when they have stated they are not in the UK

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WarpedGalaxy · 14/02/2019 13:48

What’s it about then WorraLiberty?
I’m getting at least some feeling here from some posters, no, not all, that Americans maybe shouldn’t be posting about education/health because ‘it’s confusing’. What’s confusing?

Most Americans or Brits living in America are usually careful to point out that’s what they are when they post and clearly aren’t expecting specific answers particular to their particular system from Brits, just general input and chit chat and a chance to learn and exchange ideas about things that are done differently there and here.

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justasking111 · 14/02/2019 13:51

I was on a thread recently the woman was abroad and not British, she asked for advice and was baffled by the responses. Sometimes threads do not work because of this.

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Wonderwomam · 14/02/2019 13:55

Sorry if I’ve offended anyone! I’m not saying MN is for Brits only, I’m just noticing an increasing number of posts from one particular country and just wondering why!! It seems the feminist board keeps getting mentioned so maybe it’s from that.

Actually a lot of the posts I’m talking about never mention they’re from America or another country. It only transpires half way through the thread. Up until then, it is quite confusing!

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