Have you ever recognised or been recognised on MN?

[Spidey66]

This thread is inspired by people "namechanging because this is outing'"

Have you ever recognised or been recognised by someone on MN? Have you ever thought "that's my friend/sister/mum/colleague" because of something posted here? Or had someone in real life say they recognised a post here as being you?

I’d hate to be outed and regularly name change. I also change minor details that do not effect the dilemma/story. I’ve actually been questioned both by other posters and by mumsnet for changing details but this thread confirms exactly why I do!

@WhatsTheEffingPoint

I never really understand the NC before posting, I guess to me it doesn't matter what your username is (plus I don't really pay that much attention to them) because whatever the situation you are describing in your post is the bit that makes you identifiable.

Also I think it's bad manners to out someone or confront them irl about something they post (unless it's life or death maybe) because if it was the other way round you can't bet the 'Outer' wouldn't appreciate it.

You dont understand it??? 🙈

Yes, my ex’s ‘new’ ex, because the family set up was very specific. It was very interesting to get the perspective from other side, there really is 3 sides to every story.

Yeah, only because one of my posts ended up on the daily fail

I name change weekly now!

Yes.

Yes, I've recognised someone I knew well, but years ago. Some massive things have happened in her life. It's interesting seeing how people perceive themselves - through rose-tinted glasses. I don't feel overly guilty, as the stuff posted is extremely outing, so privacy is clearly not a concern to her. It has answered a few questions.

Yes, I have recognised a poster as she lives nearby. To be fair, she is one of the most prolific posters on MN and has had the same name throughout though I think added a letter on to the end of her original user name. I genuinely don’t know where she finds the time. She must be on her phone most of the day.

A friend told me they'd seen me on here. I dont know what they'd read that made them so sure it was me but I regularly name change now. I was a bit annoyed as I was going through a tough time and wanted somewhere anonymous to talk to people going through similar but despite the name changes, I don't feel comfortable doing that anymore.

I'm also sure a post on a wedding thread was about my wedding. The poster said a nice thing about "the bride" but I didn't notice the username and I've never been able to find the thread again so I'm not really sure if it was me.

I understand that it does stop people being able to search your user name and previous posts etc....but ultimately what ever you are posting about is the thing that will make you identifiable. Also why say I've NC just write the post.
Each to their own I guess 🤷‍♀️

Yes. Posting style is a total giveaway too.

Yes. Someone recognised me from my youtube channel.

Ooh forgot one.

I was on a thread once where the OP had linked to their Instagram page.

When I looked at the Instagram page, I recognised some photos that had also been shared on a Facebook group that I’m in. And people generally use their real name on Facebook.

Although the OP wasn’t anyone I know in RL.

I recognised myself once. Someone started a thread about the Mumsnetter on a train with funky trousers who’d been reading a gaming thread (can’t remember if it was world of Warcraft or pokemon). I didn’t initially see the thread but someone on the gaming thread did and linked to it and I realised it was me. Popped over and said hello. 😁

I never really understand the NC before posting, I guess to me it doesn't matter what your username is (plus I don't really pay that much attention to them) because whatever the situation you are describing in your post is the bit that makes you identifiable.

Not sure if I've missed some sarcasm/'humour in the above.... but if you genuinely don't get it ... what you write in a post is linked to your username. So if you naively write something that identifies you in RL, the person who recognises you can search your past posts and potentially find out stuff you would rather someone in RL didn't know about you/your family.

Exactly.
I tried for a while to use a different user name for each 'type' of discussion - child's health problems, self with health problems, relationships, work, holiday advice - precisely to avoid anyone saying 'Ah ha, I know someone with dry sandy hair who is just back from the Pyrenees with a child on crutches. Interesting insight into her marriage to my boss...'.

Unfortunately, I'm too absent-minded to make it work properly so just name change a fair bit instead.

@UpDownQuark

Exactly. I tried for a while to use a different user name for each 'type' of discussion - child's health problems, self with health problems, relationships, work, holiday advice - precisely to avoid anyone saying 'Ah ha, I know someone with dry sandy hair who is just back from the Pyrenees with a child on crutches. Interesting insight into her marriage to my boss...'.

Unfortunately, I'm too absent-minded to make it work properly so just name change a fair bit instead.

I've considered the same, but there's no way I'd be organised enough to bother.

I figure name changing once a month or so works fine.

but there's no way I'd be organised enough to bother

Did you knowthat when you are replying to a post, you can just type any of your previous usernames into the "username" box when replying and it will post under that name.

Your next post will default to your "current" username, so you do need to keep track if you are replying multiple times on a thread, but it saves the hassle of going into your profile and creating a new name if you want to quickly NC for a certain subject.