Mumsnet...

[Steph1502]

Ok so been on mumsnet for a whole month now. I must say I'm a little put off by how rude some folk can be on some of these threads. However I have found it to be, mostly, very helpful. What I want to know, after reading some posts where some poor newbie like myself was ripped to shreds, is what is mumsnet etiquette? So far I have read that calling other ladies 'hun' is frowned upon (it's ok, I'm from Glasgow it means something entirely different here anyway) and sending kisses at the end of a message isn't really 'cool'. What else should I know before posting any more threads? (xx)

Dogs can be safely discussed if it's a daft dog name thread. There are two at the moment I think.

And threads about the awesomeness of dachshunds are usually uncontroversial though may induce some envy.

Thanks, Errol.

C'mon Steph...use your imagination, eh?

I got torn to shreds on a thread once because I was considering buying a pedigree cat. Very controversial.

W got 2 Burmese in the end.

Sockpuppetting. Not on either.

Steph should start a thread asking for opinions on her new username.

Like for babies.

• What do you think of Steph but spelled Ctaf, but pronounced Steph?

And I'd go:

• Excellent idea.

(unlike for real babies)

(aureus would be a great username too and would immediately make me think of Staph. too.)

BTW, don't talk about the OP as if she's not here. Ever. Never. Not done. Quite rude.

I think ctaf as opposed to Steph is a lovely idea.

Names should be 'camel cased' ie punctuated with caps.

The number part could be in Roman numerals perhaps.
CtafMDII ??

Which would yield WTFs from the non-cogniscenti but who cares about them.

Alternatively anything inspired by the late great terry prattchet always works, as does a 'dragon' name (sorry, I have the best name)

Or just stating how cool you are

We won't know if it's Steph until she accidentally lols.

Someone got caught out sock puppeting not so long ago. Can anyone remember? I think it was in AIBU.

I have recently reported a thread where I thought she might be a WUM, and MNHQ uncovered she/he was sockpuppeting as well.
I suspect it happens a lot.

Sock puppeting?

We could also try talking about eating in the supermarket before paying. There could be blood

It's where someone posts on a thread using more than one name (other than innocent overt namechanging) in order to agree with themselves or play devil's advocate.

What's a WUM?

Sock puppetting is when a user name changes on a thread to support their own point of view, one or more times. Whilst users cannot see if someone is doing this MNHQ can. There was a recent thread in AIBU where someone was caught but I can't remember what it was about - it was fairly obvious though, everyone was more or less in agreement whilst the OP and 'another user' (which turned out to be the OP) were really argumentative.

Of course that isn't always the case which is why if you suspect it's a good idea to report suspicions to MNHQ as they can see the history of name changing.

Ah.

I posted on a thead about supermarket queues once, specifically space being left between the person paying and the next person in the queue. Big mistake!

Whole threads have been written on the use of 'cunt' on MN. While it may be derogatory, it may just as easily be a term of affection and 'atrocious cunt' is indubitably a compliment.

Oh blimey forgot supermarkets in my list. You can't do anything right in a supermarket.

No you can't Sparkling - from the parking onwards it's a sodding minefield. Actually from the shopping list onwards - tell me what to buy in Lidl/waitrose

I found the recent Waitrose shopping list one quite useful. DH and I are now very addicted to sweet potato chips but have discovered they can be sourced more cheaply in Tesco and - whisper it - Adsa. Without the thread I'd still be in the thrall of boring old potato oven chips. It's this kind of important knowledge exchange which makes the MN hivemind so precious.

WUM - wind up merchant. Someone who posts just to start a fight.

It works better with a sock puppet, as sometimes MNetters don't easily rise to the challenge.