Things I have learnt solely due to Mumsnet

[isabellerossignol]

I was having a think today about various things that I had never heard of until I read about them on Mumsnet. Trivial stuff, 'general knowledge' type stuff, language stuff, history, all sorts really.

I had never heard of an Eleanor Cross.

Had never heard of the term 'wedding breakfast'.

Didn't know about how funerals differ around the UK.

Have learnt so much about feminism and how things that I had never previously considered actually have an impact on my life. I don't know where I would ever have come across that information if it weren't for Mumsnet.

There are so many more, but those popped into my head.

What's yours?

*too

Eleanor cross - just now.
I am an outsider too and MN has helped me in a number of ways to appreciate UK culture.
Helped me navigate the university process recently.
Taught me about feminism and opened my eyes to so many other things

I knew about an Eleanor Cross from the mural at Charing Cross Underground station.

MN taught me the phrase that No can be a complete sentence.

I learnt that it's probably not a good idea to marry a cyclist.

How many women are living in abusive and loveless relationships, often thinking this is normal.

On a lighter note, how many women take their bra off as soon as they get home, and put on pyjamas unless actually leaving the house.

Pineapples dont grow on trees

I am not lone in the bad ex husband stakes

There are people whose life is worse than mine there are people who life is better than mine and that's okay

Lots of people have an opinion on the correct way to open a banana

That lots of people actually hate their friends.

Only three of the original Eleanor Crosses survive. Charing cross is a 19th century monument, not really a replica as it is bigger and more elaborate, as are a lot of the other crosses on the sites of the originals.

I had no idea toilet brushes were so bad before MN (still have two in the house...) And I had never heard of zoflora.

That I'm not the only one with a dysfunctional birth family and that there are ways to manage that. The support I've had on MN has been phenomenal.

That women's and children's rights still need to be defended and fought for.

That humour and kindness are everywhere.

Welsh - what is Wendy?

The transgender rights trumping female rights, particularly in sports. The amount of stereotyping and backwards thinking that seems to be pushed. It seems girls can no longer be just a tomboy they must be a transboy. And likewise effeminate boys and men must be trans.

Trans rights can also be completely abused for the wrong reasons.

@Joyfulincolour, a Wendy is someone who enters your friendship group and takes it over, edging you out. Named after a thread where the OP gave the usurping friend the fake name Wendy.

However, I sometimes think this over-diagnosed on Mn, and is extended to you introducing two friends to one another, who get on like a house on fire and develop an individual friendship where they sometimes see one another separately without you.

I learned that if the male in the relationship works full time and the female is a SAHM he should do an equal share of the housework and childcare but that the same rule doesn't apply if the female works full time.
Not sure how the rule applies to same sae couples yet.

That pegging socks on the washing line in pairs by the toes means you can roll them together before you unpeg them.

I've learned that yes, I am THAT sad that I've just set myself a calendar reminder of this for next spring when I start to get my washing outside every day.

I learned that most people are funny, kind and quite lovely.

That schadenfreude really plays a big part in some people's lives and it fuels them. Fortunately there are much less of these people than lovely people, but we will probably all know someone like this.

That people argue over the most ridiculous things.

I have made some amazing, lifelong friends on here. We have cheered each other on, virtually hugged each other through bad times and had some right old laughs along the way. I've only met 3 of them in real life, but we're like some weird little family from all over the world. I will forever be thankful to Mumsnet for introducing me to them.

Yet strangely, @roisinagusniamh, all surveys suggest that the vast majority of housework is done by women, even in households where both adults work FT.

The lesbian households I know, with and without children, have both adults working FT and an apparently egalitarian domestic chores arrangement as far as I can tell.

That survey was flawed as women in single parent households were counted.
My point is that Mumsnet has double standards.

Ah yes Welsh - thank you.

The most memorable thing I heard on MN was on a post asking which men everyone fancied. The phrase "David Gandy always gives me the fanny gallops" still makes me laugh now
Sorry to lower the tone OP

Which survey are you talking about, @roisinagusniamh?

I've learned that only millionaires have access to healthcare in the US and that everyone else has to set their own broken bones.

The most recent one Shadow.
Another thing I have learned is that many women marry childish men by choice and then complain about them on Mumsnet.
I chose to marry an evolved man and therefore, housework and childcare division was never an issue.

Shit the bed and hold the phone everyone @roisinagusniamh has solved the patriarchy. Wanker.

Have any further citation than the most recent one there roisin?

Calm down Jackson.
If you marry a child expect childish behaviour....be it male, female or trans.
Chose wisely.