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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

trolls, attention seekers and other wierdos.

257 replies

whatwouldjesusdo · 11/01/2007 09:45

I thought it might be useful to have a reference thread on this subject. It isn't aimed at any particular person or thread, and would be good to keep it as a general reference for people who are new to the site, ie not discuss particular threads here.

TROLLS are typically new posters, previously unseen on mn,
They may have weird sexual problems, which they try to suck people into discussing. In MN folklore, they are hairy arsed truckdrivers or schoolboys, and they may invite posts like "trippety trap" or "go and do your homework"
Alternatively, they may post something inflamatory, eg insulting another poster, to start a fight.

ATTENTION SEEKERS may run a mumsnet persona over several months, and may be mothers, so look much more genuine. However, there are genuine mothers who also suffer from attention seeking disorders.
Look out for some or all of the following:

  • an unusual story
  • a poster whose only help comes apparently from mumsnet
  • a poster who has apparently convincing reasons for not seeking help from the authorities
  • a poster who makes people feel sorry for them all the time, and thanks them for their sympathy with pathetic gratitude
  • an extreme story, such as suicide or the poster saying that they are about to abandon their children
  • generally, a poster who appears to live in the middle of a dramatic situation, and who posts at key dramatic moments.

CON ARTISTS will run a convincing story, and, having got your sympathy, will try and get you to do things for them. Eg, they put themselves apparently into situations where you can help them, and then wait for you to offer your help. They are hard to spot online, and you have to make up your own mind about what sort of risk you are prepared to take about corresponding with other posters.

This is emphatically not intended as a discussion of whether we are gullible or not, but if anyone's sympathies are particularly aroused by any thread, please do come back here now or in the future and have another read.
and of course, please add your own recommendations on spotting threads that dont add up.

OP posts:
Budababe · 11/01/2007 10:22

WWJD - without wanting to be too obtuse OR to stir OR to be nosey - is this to do with someone who is currently in transit?

I do know there seem to be some inconsistencies.

roseylea · 11/01/2007 10:22

So none of it was true then WWJD?

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 11/01/2007 10:19

soapbox, I agree with what you say, and I am not questioning whether to help people or not. I just think it is useful to be aware of the oddness of attention seeking behaviour. alternatively, I could have linked to some sites about attention seeking disorders.

I have been acquainted in real life with someone who suffered from an attention seeking disorder. She strung loads of people along for some time, and was very creepy and dramatic.

OP posts:
mylittlestar · 11/01/2007 10:12

I actually think this thread is useful.
Im quite new to MN and until a couple of days ago didn't even know what a troll was!
May be quite naive of me but it didn't really occur to me at first that people would post anything other than genuine threads.

Now I just make my own mind up. Contribute/help when I want to. And if I don't wish to get involved then just ignore the thread and move on.

MN is a great place for support and diverse opinions. The fact that we're all so different is what makes it so good! IMO!

mellowma · 11/01/2007 10:10

Message withdrawn

kiskidee · 11/01/2007 10:10

the 'advice' given by the op is a bit naive, imo. but, being an old hand at message boards and some far more outrageous ones than mn, maybe i am just cynical. everyone is new to something for a period of time. it is always best to sit back and watch for a while, meaning a few months, before diving in.

message boards certainly teach how to read behind what the poster may actually be saying and it usually has nothing to do with what is actually written.

JoolsToo · 11/01/2007 10:09

good post soapy

cross · 11/01/2007 10:06

wwjd

you would appear to be an attention seeking weirdo

Soapbox · 11/01/2007 10:06

I really think there is a great deal of over analysis going on here!

I think you have to make a decision for yourself as to how drawn in you want to be and that should be with a bit of a reality check in the background as to how you would feel if it turned out to be a con/troll/attention seeker.

I think if you are minded to help someone on MN in many ways it has to be with the knowledge that 1 times out of a hundred (a quick estimate) it will go belly up.

The Christmas thread is a point in case - if I had been overly worried about someone misusing it, then I'd never have done it in the first place. It took weeks of round the clock work to pull off at the same time as holding down a f/t job - but the outcome was worth it. Sure a couple of people may have scammed it - but hey ho - for the greater good and all that!

If you want to be helpful/charitable and give willingly, knowing the risks, then I think you just have to be prepared to accept that it won't always go your way. If it bothers you terribly that your time, effort and money might be wasted on a time waster, then don't do it in the first place.

A bit of healthy scepticism is useful in deciding when to help, but it doesn't work every time

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 11/01/2007 10:05

nqc, I agree, shouting troll isnt nice, but also good to bear in mind that it may be a troll

OP posts:
ClosetSlob · 11/01/2007 10:04

who is WWJD?

MNHQ
JustineMumsnet · 11/01/2007 10:04

Hi everyone - interesting subject and one that, as you can imagine, we've spent some time mulling over.
Thought I'd just link to our postition on trolls so you can see the in-house stance , as it were.
Best,
MNHQ

evilsparklystepmom · 11/01/2007 10:03

well i think this is useful. you can interpret it how you see fit but for newbies i think it is a good idea to warn them about trolls etc.

roseylea · 11/01/2007 10:03

WWJD I'm a bit concerned about this...

Is there any way you could let us know what is happening with you?

Lizzylou · 11/01/2007 10:03

I think I have led a rather sheltered life and often think "WOW" when reading posts, which I'm sure are genuine....there is nowt stranger than real life.

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 11/01/2007 10:03

misdee, you've never had us hanging on our seats while you threaten to drive off a cliff though.

doh, knew everyone would get paranoid it was them.

OP posts:
zippitippitoes · 11/01/2007 10:02

yes, I am Kezza (please excuse hijack)

zippitippitoes · 11/01/2007 10:02

some people just are more extrovert than others in what they post, if you posted each daily development of life then you you may sound odd but it's not wrong is it?

DizzyBint · 11/01/2007 10:01

hamster casserole isn't in the same league as some of what's been going off.

KezzaG · 11/01/2007 10:01

I think I have, are you around now for a chat?

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 11/01/2007 10:01

greensleeves, you've never come across as anything but genuine. attention seeking is hard to hide over a period of time, as they whip up sympathy again and again with similar tricks.

custy, I have a good reason for posting this thread which may not have occurred to you yet

OP posts:
NotQuiteCockney · 11/01/2007 10:00

I really hate the rush to be the first to say "this is a troll" whenever anyone has a weird story, or holds a weird opinion. I am a fairly skeptical person, but I'm sure lots of genuine posters in real pain have come here for guidance and been greeted with a chorus of "troll!".

zippitippitoes · 11/01/2007 09:59

Kezza I was trying to get you to ring me if you still had my phone number

KezzaG · 11/01/2007 09:59

Hamster casserole anyone?

expatinscotland · 11/01/2007 09:59

Some trolls are pretty funny, though.

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