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MNHQ

MNet Newbie Guide - what would be your top piece advice on Mumsnet etiquette?

283 replies

JustineMumsnet · 27/01/2009 13:49

We wanted to put together a humourous yet telling guide for Mumsnet newbies, full of practical advice on how to get along in Mumsnet land.

You know the type of things...

Opening posts/ nicknames/ topics to avoid until you get the hang of it. Or don't post on AIBU if you don't want to hear that you are? Or please don't use textspeak/do use punctuation and paragraphs/ don't call people Hun.

Many many thanks. We'll bung it altogether one day soon.

Thank you in advance oh kind and good Mumsnetters.

OP posts:
Lulumama · 27/01/2009 14:10

but i am allowed to be lulumama

i am so very special though.

dizzydixies · 27/01/2009 14:10

too much use of 'please' in that post

oh and learn how to do links - its not hard and you will not be shot if they don't work first few times

dizzydixies · 27/01/2009 14:09

please remember that although there are MN experts e.g. Mars/Lulu/tiktok/flowerybeanbag etc etc

they are here as part of an online forum and give you the benefit of their expertise out of goodness

i.e. any good advice given is done so in good faith - if it works great, if it doesn't work ask again or please move on and try something else but don't bang on about it please

Tamarto · 27/01/2009 14:09

LMAO really they are not, but it is a valid piece of advice for those not in the know, especially if they have never used any type of forum.

Did i not use the emotes well enough for you?

notwavingjustironing · 27/01/2009 14:08

If it all goes hideously wrong and you really feel you got off on the wrong foot, there's always tomorrow and a new posting name - some people change all the time - more than once a day even - imagine that!!!

AMumInScotlandsAMumForAThat · 27/01/2009 14:08

Avoid names with "Mum" in them, as they get slated....

Lulumama · 27/01/2009 14:08

lurk for a while to get to know the forum itself.

just jump right in and answer a thread , or start one, but don't expect to be hugged and hunned just becuase you are new

don;t start threads about established MNers being head girl types. or cliques . or how they get away with stuff. or that newbies are ignored.

don't ever complain about lack of mother and child parking spaces, tehy are a privilege not a right!

buy yourself a hard hat and some microwave popcorn before you register

be nice to lulu, she'll see you right!

JeremyKylesLieDetector · 27/01/2009 14:07

if puzzlerocks doesnt bump your post then the sky is falling in.

JeremyKylesLieDetector · 27/01/2009 14:07

yes the overuse of Lol marks the difference between o level and gcse imo

MmeLindt · 27/01/2009 14:07

Don't start a thread on Baby Names topic unless you want honest opinions.

Post not likely to be found on MN:

"Shardonnay Kailee is a lovely name, and I love the unusual spelling!"

morningpaper · 27/01/2009 14:06

Don't say "It's a bit shit here, I think I might just pay the 79p and go back to my GOOD parenting site..."

MrsJoeMcIntyre · 27/01/2009 14:06

Do not come on complaining that your four day old baby doesn't sleep through the night. You will feel the wrath of those of us with toddlers who have never slept through the night.

AMumInScotlandsAMumForAThat · 27/01/2009 14:06

Don't worry if no-one seems to have noticed or replied to any of your posts. They're not deliberately ignoring you, and it's (probably) not a clique.

morningpaper · 27/01/2009 14:05

Don't use lol in place of a nervous laugh e.g. "my husband slept with my sister lol"

You are supposed to be confident and interesting on the internet, not tittering and terrified

JeremyKylesLieDetector · 27/01/2009 14:05

"I am sat here crying" oh fgs no no and thrice no.

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/01/2009 14:05

yup, a clever literary slant to your name always gets a knowing nod

JeremyKylesLieDetector · 27/01/2009 14:04

Try to minimise the amount of things you feel you could be offended by.

if you ever find yourself ranting ENDLESSLY about what a ( quite obviously ) MAD woman said to you in a shop abotu your babies socks then PLEASE FUCK OFF BACK TO WORK.

thank you

dizzydixies · 27/01/2009 14:04

willself, my thoughts too

morningpaper · 27/01/2009 14:04

You need a witty name:

Txt spk, your year of birth or your v. common RL name = all bad

oblique reference to Salinger book - good

MaryAnnSingleton · 27/01/2009 14:04

please use 'lie' and sit' properly

JeremyKylesLieDetector · 27/01/2009 14:03

OOh tamrto has thrown toys OUTTA the cot.

WilfSell · 27/01/2009 14:03

KW, did you used to be ICUP perhaps, until vairy recently?

UnquietDad · 27/01/2009 14:02

Is that "Blaze" as a child's name? or just in general?

This is good, it should be a FAQ.

madhairjanuary · 27/01/2009 14:02

Don't use 'of' instead of 'have' (eg I should of done that)
Don't start a thread saying your 17 month old is extremely gifted
Don't expect personal replies to your posts
Don't admit to reading the Daily Mail.

AMumInScotlandsAMumForAThat · 27/01/2009 14:02

Don't have your first thread titled something like "Everyone on here is horrible and I'm not going to stay" or "You're all such bitches, my other forum is much nicer" if you want to make friends here.