You fool, you idiot!

Not the point of the thread I know, but I live in a holiday area and know quite a lot of people who run businesses in hospitality and times really are hard. It's unlikely that even places that are charging high prices are making huge profits. The cost of ingredients, fuel and employing people have all shot up and rent and business rates are really high in some places. I was talking to a friend who runs a cafe recently and she was saying how difficult it is to walk the line between charging enough so that you're actually making a living but not so much that you don't get enough customers.
There are other reasons too, like difficulties recruiting staff, but it's a tough business to be in at present. I can think of half a dozen independents that have gone under in my area in the last year or so and even big chains are struggling. People often say "I could make this at home for a half the price" but of course the whole point is that you're not at home and you haven't had to make it, serve it, clear up, wash the pots etc - you are paying for more than the ingredients in your dish. Yes, prices are high at the moment and eating out has become more of a luxury for most of us, but on the whole I don't think owners are ripping us off and living a life of luxury because we are "fools" to pay their prices - not where I live anyway.

I'm increasingly amazed about how normal swearing is regarded now.

I was shocked when I moved to my present home to hear my neighbours using the f word and swearing at their very young children. I found it really distressing. I now read on another thread posters actually thinking it acceptable to swear at and use the f word even to babies.

Sweariing and being unpleasant seems endemic in everyday life so I suppose the fact it features so much on MN shouldn't be a surprise. But that doesn't make it any more palatable. It just contributes towards the general unpleasantness of life today.

Sometimes its cost and worth. I take my DC to a nice bakeries after hospital visits so we have something to look forward to afterwards. I see it as an affordable luxury. The cost is considerably more than Lidl's bakery, say, but worth it to sit somewhere nice, chat and decompress.

😁 I heard it in the voice of Ren. "Steeempy ... you eeeediot ...."

How is taking your own packed lunch, which has exactly what the person wants in it, on a plane, indicative of not being able to relax while on holiday?

I think the 'you fool' brigade do sometimes miss the point. Going out for food or going for coffee is about the experience rather than purely about being fed and watered.

I always imagine them snorting in disgust when they write 'you foo!l' or 'total nonsense!' or 'rediculous!'.

I do still come on here (joined in 2011 when my youngest was newborn) as I find human life and interactions fascinating.

But a previous poster has it right that it’s a bear pit. And 2 things surprised me hugely as I noted the change - the increase in casual insults and the general lack of empathy.

I posted on 1 January this year after the unexpected death of my beloved daughter 2 months previously. I had been surprised and a bit unsettled that some friends had messaged me wishing me “a happy new year” and I asked if I was unreasonable to feel surprised about that. Although the responses I had were largely kind, I was taken aback by the number of people who thought that I should be grateful to have been remembered at all and I could not expect a tailored message just for me. One poster even suggested that my friends might have thought I was “getting over it now” (I can’t be sure that was the phrase they used it might havd been “feeling better” or something similar) given we had been out of the country for Christmas. Despite my having explained that this was just because we could not face Christmas in the UK and that I had been having suicidal thoughts.

Sorry, op, I digress. But I agree with you. It’s madness on here at times. With some quite startling bluntness, rudeness and lack of sensitivity. BUT. And it’s a big but, before anyone wades in, I choose to have a look see several times a week and even to post occasionally. It’s still a fascinating place. And there is kindness to be had too. It’s just a bit harder to find than maybe it was 14 years ago. But I think that might be a reflection of life in general.

I saw that thread and agree that there were some very sneery people on it.

I also think you sound quite sneery about the flask and sandwiches 'brigade' here OP 🤷‍♂️

I quite often take my own sandwiches (have been known to do so on a plane, though not always), but would equally be happy to spend £20 on a piece of cheesecake if it was amazing cheesecake in a fancy place and I thought I would enjoy the experience.

We went to a NT place over the weekend, took our own sandwiches because I didn't feel like queuing for half an hour and spending £30+ on lunch on what was supposed to be a cheap day out. Quite happy to spend the £7 on 2 ice creams though because they were delicious and we enjoyed them.

I don't like paying over the odds for things that aren't worth it (whether that be in terms of the food itself, or the overall experience) but I've certainly been known to fritter away money on things others would view as a complete waste.

Answering the actual point - I think a lot of mumsnet, especially AIBU, is just people enjoying getting to insult others and project the version of themselves they most want to believe (they're so rich they can afford stupid prices for cake, or they're so good with money that they'd never do such a thing even though they earn 6 figures or whatever it is). Fool and idiot are not the most offensive terms that get thrown around on here! I don't care so much when it's general discussion topics, but it's really nasty when it's to people genuinely looking for help.

Those threads are ten a penny and I love them. Did anyone say they should forgo their cheesecake and give the money to charity? 🤞🏼

Fair enough, we are all Adults here, and should not need to be advised about taking a packed lunch. If people want to spend over the odds on food when out, and about, and can afford to do so, it is no one's concern at all.

Mumsnet users can demean any argument they might have about a topic by swearing, insults and generally being abusive. It doesn’t enhance the point they might be trying to make at all.

It’s rife. Like all forums people say things they’d never dream of in real life. Sad really.

Sensible, I agree.

I luv them when they get the sandwiches out on the plane,washed down with the free water (which they must give you) from the airport departure lounge... priceless

Nothing wrong with carrying your own lunch when going on a Day trip, if you can, or want to. At least they will not be ripped off by eating in an overpriced cafe. I don't feel the need to look down, and sneer at people who do this. The same way I don't care who wishes to spend £19 or whatever it was, on a sliver of cheesecake.

Am I the only one who heard this said in the voice of Cruella de Vil (Glenn Close) in 101 Dalmatians?

Some on here are tight as arseoles tho

We all have different priorities but when it comes to money, people get very weird and personal.

Things that I think are foolish to spend money on, others would see as absolute essentials. And vice versa.

There's nowt so queer as folk.

No, I don't think that name calling is acceptable, or swearing for that matter. I manage not to do either when posting on here. But then my language on MN, is the same in rl anyway.