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AIBU?

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Original poster

to quietly correct this?

190 replies

forgotmypassagain · 23/07/2024 10:44

I want to preface this with saying at this juncture I have not uttered a word.

Through my DDs I am friendly with one of the school mums (sit with her at parties, message about the kids, take them to soft play together).
She’s recently set up a business…let’s call it The Happy Faces but on all her promotional things she’s put an apostrophe in faces so the the business is called “The Happy Face’s”…

I suppose I’m asking if anyone would point this out to her? The type of business it is lends itself to correct grammar, punctuation and spelling. Mine is by no means perfect btw and I’m asking more from the point of view that she is absolutely lovely and i would like to see her succeed and wouldn’t want people to be put off the business by incorrect punctuation in the business name.

OP posts:
Rainisonmyplane · 23/07/2024 15:16

Does she have contact details on her business pages? I'd set up an anonymous email and let her know that way. As a customer for example.

I think my parents and husband are the only people I'd feel comfortable correcting in this situation

AllyCart · 23/07/2024 15:07

oakleaffy · 23/07/2024 13:53

I know a superb craft tradesman who has dyslexia and his spelling can be a little awry, but his work is fabulous- But he knows about such things and does check spellings- something like ''Happy Face's'' really is so glaringly off that I'd definitely warn her that the ''Printer's made a misteak'' 🎯

Show quote history

Printer's made a misteak

Oops!

(Admittedly steak is lovely in panini's though...)

UpThereForThinkingDownThereForDancing · 23/07/2024 15:05

Kai125 · 23/07/2024 14:58

You have had some great shit sandwich suggestions, which you could use.

Although I did laugh at the PP who said "Fuck it" when you posted that she had other SPaG errors in her Facebook.

One of my kids had an online business and is dyslexic, they always get someone to check their posts.

I too ignore SPaG errors on tradespeople's posts but if it was accountant or suchlike would not be as forgiving. Which is interesting and I need to reflect why!

It does kind of matter if an accountant doesn't spot if a dot is on the wrong place though. 😬
Though depending which way the error went on their invoices... 🤔😁

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 23/07/2024 15:05

Yes, tell her (diplomatically). You'd be doing her a favour. If she chooses not to listen, at least you'd have tried.

Despair1 · 23/07/2024 15:05

Definitely tell her (ASAP) but in an informal non serious way. Image if it was the other way around. You would be grateful for someone pointing it out, I certainly would!

Ivehearditbothways · 23/07/2024 14:59

If you don’t want to be the one to point it out then PM me a link to her Facebook page or website and I will message her as a potential customer with concerns about all the spelling errors if it’s actually relevant to the business.
It won’t matter how offended she is by my message as I don’t know her and not actually a customer! But I’ll do it very breezy and nicely.

Kai125 · 23/07/2024 14:59

forgotmypassagain · 23/07/2024 14:58

The business is producing personalised things like balloons, invites etc so it does matter if SPAG isn’t your strong point.

OMG absolutely tell her then!!!

Kai125 · 23/07/2024 14:58

You have had some great shit sandwich suggestions, which you could use.

Although I did laugh at the PP who said "Fuck it" when you posted that she had other SPaG errors in her Facebook.

One of my kids had an online business and is dyslexic, they always get someone to check their posts.

I too ignore SPaG errors on tradespeople's posts but if it was accountant or suchlike would not be as forgiving. Which is interesting and I need to reflect why!

Original poster
forgotmypassagain · 23/07/2024 14:58

The business is producing personalised things like balloons, invites etc so it does matter if SPAG isn’t your strong point.

OP posts:
ManchesterLu · 23/07/2024 14:58

I would want to be told if something was incorrect on my business stuff, though I do appreciate not everyone likes mistakes being pointed out. In the long term though, I think it would help to portray her business in a better light if it was correct, so definitely tell her.

Original poster
forgotmypassagain · 23/07/2024 14:57

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

Should it not be Parents’ noticeboard (if it applies to more than one parent)?

OP posts:
Likewhatever · 23/07/2024 14:54

I wouldn’t say anything, and I’m really fussy about SPAG. Or spaghetti as my IPad would have me write.

If people closer to her won’t point it out, then it shouldn’t be down to a casual friend. It sounds like her grammar is going to reveal itself anyway in the course of things.

I’m disheartened at the standard of people’s reading and writing skills but it’s how things are going. If I read “Bare with me” one more time…

ByFlakyHazelTiger · 23/07/2024 14:54

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Iamiams · 23/07/2024 14:49

I have a Parent’s Noticeboard in my children’s school. I have to fight the urge to get tippex and sharpies out.

ByFlakyHazelTiger · 23/07/2024 14:47

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popthepopcorns · 23/07/2024 14:46

Could she be dyslexic? Personally, I would be frank about your concerns, but that's the way I am generally so my friends wouldn't take offence.

Maria1979 · 23/07/2024 14:39

forgotmypassagain · 23/07/2024 12:03

I just had a good look through the Facebook page and the posts are littered with errors like “If your looking for somone to….” instead of “you’re”. I feel like the name is the tip of the iceberg.

Then let it be. She needs someone to do all the editing for her so you telling her about ONE thing is not going to save her. I'm not from an English speaking country and yet I would never make a mistake like the one's you pointed out. She might be dyslexic but surely she would have someone proofreading then. Strange indeed but I advice you to stay out of it.

ilovesushi · 23/07/2024 14:39

I wouldn't mention it. I belong to a facebook group with a rogue apostrophe but I feel it would be pedantic to point it out. It's not a business though.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 23/07/2024 14:39

The trouble is, people with poor SPaG so often think it’s no big deal at all. They don’t notice their own mistakes, or anyone else’s, so they don’t realise how much they make too many other people wince.

LuckyOnes · 23/07/2024 14:34

Gracelet · 23/07/2024 10:46

I would tell her. Just say something like "Oh no, have you noticed this error?"

Yes, this.

Corrag · 23/07/2024 14:33

Thedayb4youcame · 23/07/2024 14:30

How many people named Jane are involved in it? If there are more than one, it is correct.

Show quote history

No, that would be Laura and Janes'.

purpleme12 · 23/07/2024 14:31

I have no idea but every time I notice it. 😂

Thedayb4youcame · 23/07/2024 14:30

Sunshineafterthehail · 23/07/2024 10:59

One of the dm's at our school has a business with a shop. .
Laura & Janes card shop.
*not real names..
Surely Laura & Jane's?

How many people named Jane are involved in it? If there are more than one, it is correct.

MellowYellow552 · 23/07/2024 14:29

Yes I think you have to mention it but there are so many good suggestions on how to do it without being smug, you will manage it. If it was me I would be so grateful to get that feedback. It's not done to score points, but to support.

I notice so many cafes sell panini's. Even when other items don't have surplus to requirements apostrophes, paninis always seem to. Is it something to do with the word ending in i? Though that is actually, in Italian, the plural ... let's not go down that rabbit hole!

deeahgwitch · 23/07/2024 14:26

ranchdressing · 23/07/2024 10:53

You have to shit sandwich it!

Hey friend,
Your website/leaflet/instagram page looks so fantastic! Excited for you.
Did you notice a small typo? It should be faces not face's! Just thought I'd point it out in case you hadn't seen! Autocorrect is always adding them in for me uneccesarily...
Hope everything is going well with it

A great post.

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