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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to find thread titles like this offensive?

30 replies

grannycrackers · 08/05/2007 11:03

here
it is ageist. it is insulting to a huge gruop of people and reinforces stereotypes

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Eddas · 09/05/2007 08:13

Oh look another AIBU thread about thread titles >

Flamesparrow · 09/05/2007 08:07

I plan to be an evil old witch...

Original poster
grannycrackers · 09/05/2007 07:57

that's what i thought - i wanted to discuss ageism rather than just report a thread title to mn hq. there was a thread a few months ago about the problem of ageism on mn and i stated on there that when i saw it i'd challenge it. this thread title seemed to class old women as sweet or evil. language is immensly powerful and we are defined by it. (even when it's a joke)

OP posts:
KathyMCMLXXII · 08/05/2007 21:03

Don't see what's wrong with starting a thread about whether another thread title is offensive, myself - particularly as it's in the 'Am I being unreasonable?' topic.

Some people might say that seeing if your offence is shared by other MNers is actually a better way to proceed than going straight to HQ.

powder28 · 08/05/2007 18:26

Also, don't watch The Mighty Boosh episode where they unleash a demon called Nannatu....

Rhubarb · 08/05/2007 18:23

Ok, why not try this.

If your concerns are not acknowledged on the thread in question, try emailing MNHQ. If they agree with you they will pull the thread and tell the OP why. If they don't they may go onto the thread to explain why they are letting it stand.

Personally I do feel this is a better way rather than start a different thread about how you find another thread offensive.

And grannycrackers, the reason I thought you had changed your name was because your name seems to relate to your point and I had not heard of you before.

Oh and my honest opinion is that I don't think grannies would be offended. It is obviously a humourous title not intended to cause offence. If you object to some old women being referred to as witches then may I suggest that you never read Roald Dahl.

Some thread titles can be offensive for different reasons, but this title clearly did not intend any malice and I think we are being a bit unhumourous in not being able to look out of the pc box.

SaintGeorge · 08/05/2007 18:09

I find it incredibly offensive and it is nothing to do with the age of the women referred to.

Original poster
grannycrackers · 08/05/2007 16:56

rhubarb it's obvious why i started this thread. i've stated why already. i did post my concern re. the title on the thread in question and didn't get any response before i started this thread. and i have never changed my name to have a "pop" at another thread. so no, i don't get you. perhaps you could explain

OP posts:
lemonaid · 08/05/2007 16:48

I agree though that part of the point of that thread is about stereotypes of old people, so using the shorthand terms for those stereotypes is not in this particular case unreasonable. But there are plenty of other examples on MN where I do find it highly unreasonable.

MaryP0p1 · 08/05/2007 16:47

But old ladies are often haggard old bitches. I plan to have earn that honour by the time I'm old. I'll enjoy my family rolling their eyes when I tell them that such and such is a old bastard, or such such is a slapper. Great fun.

Rhubarb · 08/05/2007 16:45

Why did you start this thread?

Did you mention your misgivings on the thread in question? If so surely it should be left at that?

Otherwise I could just as well start a thread asking if I am unreasonable not to like threads being started to have a pop at other threads.

Or how about, am I unreasonable not to like people changing their MN names to have a pop at threads?

You get me?

Original poster
grannycrackers · 08/05/2007 16:40

yes mercy it is ageist, isn't it? can you imagine if different races were being insulted or posters were coming out with generalised psuedo-scientific nonsense suggesting that such and such a group were stupid/selfish/fickle/whatever ? i want to challenge ageism but find it difficult on mn

OP posts:
Mercy · 08/05/2007 15:38

The thread title I agree is ageist and stereotyped.

I just don't like the term 'old witches'.

I haven't read the thread itself tbh.

Original poster
grannycrackers · 08/05/2007 15:28

it seems like i'm out of step with the general feeling then. oh well, it wouldn't be the first time. am i bothered?????
(if you disagree with me you're all wrong, btw)

OP posts:
FiveFingeredFiend · 08/05/2007 14:18

yes you are.

Blu · 08/05/2007 14:17

LOL at Nannageddon.

I think the point of the title is that both descriptions are stereotypes and people of all ages are people, for better for worse.

I do flinch at some of the blithe ageism that crops up on MN and other places...as I get nearer my own incarnation as sweet or witchlike.

IcingOnTheCake · 08/05/2007 14:16

Isn't that the fun of being an old granny, being grumpy and hitting people round the legs with ya walking stick

ash6605 · 08/05/2007 14:15

the title is a tad ageist but when you read the whole post you can actually agree with op and sympathise!! but i guess it's like saying all chavs are bad mums or all all older mums are lentil weavers!!

morningpaper · 08/05/2007 14:12

agree grannycrackers

can't bear that sort of language

kittyhas6 · 08/05/2007 14:11

far from it

newlifenewname · 08/05/2007 12:20

You are missing the point.

kittyhas6 · 08/05/2007 12:18

what if it's true?

Original poster
grannycrackers · 08/05/2007 11:55

i'm sure you didn't mean it to be offensive, ungratefuldaughter.
can't bring myself to reply to some of these posts, just find it too depressing. sorry

OP posts:
lucy5 · 08/05/2007 11:33

I thought you were talking about the thread with dick in the title.

PrettyCandles · 08/05/2007 11:29

Yes, you are IMO. It's talking about stereotypes, and how they can in fact be completely deceptive. So it's a perfectly apprpriate use of stereotypes. The language is a little harsh, but the poster is clearly angry and upset about the situation.

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