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Original poster

To think MN posts should show the age bracket of the poster?

214 replies

WhiteNoiseBlur · 03/09/2025 06:05

I think it would be really useful if the age bracket of each poster was included next to their username, e.g. WhiteNoiseBlur (35-45). Just so people’s opinions could be put slightly into context! What do you think?

OP posts:
Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:51

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 22:47

@Millytante see, this is why it would help. I'm not young! 😆

Neither am I 😸
Maybe we Oldies could wear enamelled badges, like at school. (I still pine for my ‘Campion’ house badge)

LemondrizzleShark · 03/09/2025 22:48

WhiteNoiseBlur · 03/09/2025 06:34

I’ve seen lots of posts where people respond to the OP with “with respect OP, how old are you?” Implying that age is actually quite relevant to understanding their situation. Oh well - it was just a thought! Maybe it would be fun to have it as a “click to reveal” option to see if you can guess right 😂

No, they don’t actually want to know how older the OP is. They just mean “because you sound like a silly teenager”.

If the OP said they were 47, those same posters would just say “are you sure you’re 47? Because you sound like a silly teenager”

Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:48

Joystir59 · 03/09/2025 07:44

Im 67 and avoid 'frumpy' in my clothing choices. I think you are just stereotyping people.

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Blimey; ‘frumpy’ indeed.
(Not sure it’s even possible to frump, any more. Even M&S have swept all that stuff away. It’s all Ramones T shirts, waist-length trench coats, and weird Popeye jeans! I bet my cats think I’m dead cool 😳)

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 22:47

Or a boy, that's a weird guess.

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 22:47

@Millytante see, this is why it would help. I'm not young! 😆

YeOldeGreyhound · 03/09/2025 22:46

I only ever post about my dog. I am not sure what my age has to do with it.

Ilovemyshed · 03/09/2025 22:45

Great idea. Lets add skin colour, sexual orientation, level of wealth, gender, number of kids and a whole load more boxes too.

Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:44

WhiteNoiseBlur · 03/09/2025 13:39

I’m a bit taken aback by the responses here. I don’t post that often. It was meant to be a lighthearted thought - I did not write to Mumsnet HQ and insist it become mandatory. Mumsnet is supposed to be a place to share thoughts and opinions..I think the answers here are very “strong” in their wording, quite unkind, and with little thought to the person behind the post. Whatever age you are, if you’ve told me I’ve got shit ideas, that I’m ageist, horrible, that you hope I don’t have a certain type of job because of what I’ve said - then I hope you take a minute to reflect. Good job this site is as anonymous as it is - you can all carry on being malicious and thoughtless with no consequences.

Yikes, don’t take it all so seriously!
I’m surprised the answers here have raised your hackles so much, tbh.

Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:39

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 07:37

Yes, personally I think the average age is a lot higher than the media image exists eg it's not a mum in her in 30s with small dc but a late 50s women with older dc.

Nothing particularly wrong with that but I think it does explain some of the threads/posts.

Why the ageism? It's good to have opinions from a wide spectrum.

Isn't that the point of the OP? How many young people are on here?

The bouncer let in an 18 year old boy today! 🙀

Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:38

PamIsAVolleyballChamp · 03/09/2025 07:32

Only philistines display their toaster... Ye gads!! 😬😬

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Not Philistines; Catholics. Protestants bung them back in the cupboard.

Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:37

BlueJuniper94 · 03/09/2025 06:17

I'd rather see their economic status

I vote for a good fossick through their record collection

Millytante · 03/09/2025 22:36

Why would the info help you understand a response or post? If age has any relevance, it’d be implicit in the comment, surely. (Or more likely explicit)

(Aren't there clues anyway, with the odd cultural reference and so on?)

But you either agree/ disagree /sympathise etc or you don’t, whether the OP is 22 or 78. No?

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 18:28

@ARandomWomanAge45to55 I said sometimes...

ARandomWomanAge45to55 · 03/09/2025 18:20

Age, sex, location

Anyone had a flashback to MSN chat? ASL 😆 Now that truly shows my age!

ARandomWomanAge45to55 · 03/09/2025 18:18

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 09:39

@ARandomWomanAge45to55

but is it wrong that sometimes people want to hear more recent experience that may be more relevant to them?

I don't personally like Reddit but also don't like instagram, I would like to hear more younger voices on MNs just for more balance.

It's not always about how recent the experience is, though. E.g. you could be a first time mum at the age of 20, 30 or 40+. Your age might affect some parts of that experience but others will be universal.

Needspaceforlego · 03/09/2025 17:49

CaptainMyCaptain · 03/09/2025 15:25

Or it could be the advice of an older person who has been there, done that and made the mistakes telling another woman not to waste their life.

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Agree or quite often the minor thing is the straw that broke the camels back. The more the Op posts the bigger the nasty picture is revealed.

CaptainMyCaptain · 03/09/2025 15:25

SixtySomething · 03/09/2025 12:52

Although I can see the difficulties, I often would like to know the age of the poster.
This is especially true for LTB posts and other pile-ons.
I think people saying LTB over a minor incident are often equating it with leaving a relatively recent boyfriend, leading to the absurdity of the suggestion when a husband has committed a minor misdemeanour in an otherwise happy, longstanding marriage, with a home and children involved.
It also applies to MIL bashing.

Or it could be the advice of an older person who has been there, done that and made the mistakes telling another woman not to waste their life.

Lurkingandlearning · 03/09/2025 14:59

IQ would be useful. Or the person’s ability to see things from another person’s viewpoint, regardless of age. That really is a sign of maturity and wisdom. Is there a number for that?

But if you’re really, really interested in the age of anyone posting on your threads, just say so in your OP. I’m sure you will get responses from the niche you are clearly looking for

ginasevern · 03/09/2025 14:57

I usually say my age if I think it's particularly relevant and to be fair I actually think it is sometimes. But I wouldn't like to see it included as standard.

68 by the way!

nomas · 03/09/2025 14:41

Bogpinkbear · 03/09/2025 14:39

Maybe have a think about the people you’re calling frumpy and how that makes them feel?

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She didn’t call anyone frumpy. Why are you making crap up?

And there’s nothing wrong with frumpy. I have a few pairs of frumpy shoes, they’re comfortable and breathable and prairie chic.

LadeOde · 03/09/2025 14:41

I see your point, but people can just lie about their age anyway.

Bogpinkbear · 03/09/2025 14:39

WhiteNoiseBlur · 03/09/2025 13:39

I’m a bit taken aback by the responses here. I don’t post that often. It was meant to be a lighthearted thought - I did not write to Mumsnet HQ and insist it become mandatory. Mumsnet is supposed to be a place to share thoughts and opinions..I think the answers here are very “strong” in their wording, quite unkind, and with little thought to the person behind the post. Whatever age you are, if you’ve told me I’ve got shit ideas, that I’m ageist, horrible, that you hope I don’t have a certain type of job because of what I’ve said - then I hope you take a minute to reflect. Good job this site is as anonymous as it is - you can all carry on being malicious and thoughtless with no consequences.

Maybe have a think about the people you’re calling frumpy and how that makes them feel?

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 14:08

@WhiteNoiseBlur unfortunately I'm not but sorry posters have been horrible to you.

sundayfundayclub · 03/09/2025 14:07

Suggesting that everyone posts their age bracket isn’t in itself ageist.

It's like shouting into a void though! Any mention of age is ageist on MNs.

Zodiacrobat · 03/09/2025 14:05

The use of the word “frumpy” in those age brackets tells me all i need to know about OP’s casual ageism.

No. Horrible idea.