Why is it that people don't seem to be able to read past the first line of a thread?

[Duckcurtains]

And I realise that I'm asking for it here 😆

but I am asking a genuine question.

An OP will ask about something quite ordinary that she's worried about. She'll explain that she knows it could be nothing, but that it's out of character, a significant change or that there are other things that together make make it a reason for concern.

Among some helpful responses there will always be loads of:

• you do realise lots of people....
• I always did xyz and I'm fine
• This over reaction is hysterical

Etc etc

So is it that people pounce on a chance to make it all about them, or to put someone down, or do they not make it past the first line of the thread. Or maybe all of the above?

For me MN always used to be at its best when it was friends chatting about their ordinary lives and minor successes and concerns. That doesn't seem to be allowed any more?

People don't read. Example on Facebook I had
Posted in a style group

"Got this lovely top from next, true to size, it was £20 and they had it in loads of colours"

First few comments
"How much was it hun?"
"Where from?"
"Did they have any other colours?"
"What's the sizing like"

My daughter’s class WhatsApp group is like this. Example…

Summer Fayre. Saturday 17th June. 12-3pm. Rent a craft stall for £5.

Cue questions underneath:

Is the Fayre a Saturday?
What time does it finish?
How much are the craft stalls?

I don’t get it.

I send emails to work clients to book appointments (I visit them regularly, so they are familiar with the concept).

I will say something like 'I can come any time wc 4 June, except Tuesday afternoon'

and I'll get a reply saying 'Tuesday at 2 is good for me, see you then'

I'm another one who just does not get it. These are professional people and they are incapable of or CBA reading a simple email from someone who they are paying to help them

I work in UX and the first rule for creating anything online has always been that people don't "read" on screens in the same way as in print - they scan quickly (and it's getting faster as attention spans are dropping).

One wonders how they managed to pass their English language gcse/o level.

I have thought this for years! One that I always see is someone will write “DD (5)…” and you always getting posters with “How old is DD?”

Dating apps are the same 🤦‍♀️ There is LITERALLY no point in writing anything in your bio!

Eg Teacher of 30 years+ but hoping to retire to the coast at the end of this next academic year. Love skiing, snow boarding and horse riding...but quite happy reading a book on a warm beach if that's your jam! I have two children and 3 wonderful grandchildren, and spending time with them is very important to me, so you must be family oriented and love big, crazy get togethers at Christmas and summer BBQs. Have a mad idea to take off in a VW camper and 'do' Route 66 next summer...with a detour through Arizona just for the Craic! Care to join me?

Responses include:

1. hi hun, do you have kids?

1. Hey, what do you do for work?

1. Great pics...tell me something about yourself.

1. What do you like doing?

Seriously dudes...did you even bother to read the bio??? 🤦‍♀️

Same at work too

"The first appointment is the 1st June"

"Do you not have anything sooner?"

Um. No? Or I would have told you?

I’ve been guilty of this sometimes. I have dyslexia and adhd and really struggle to take in all the details when reading.

I hear you!

It's very irritating. People don't read

My boss doesn't read emails properly so I write short paragraphs then at the bottom say 'all I need from you is X' it's the only way I can get anything done!

I tried to sell a table and chairs online. gave all the relevent info and only that info, so everything would be clear. I gave a link to the John lewis website where they were still for sale. I included photos. Still got asked what colour the (glass) table was, how many it seated and basically all the info I listed.

Also someone asking if the table was extendable. People are annoying. Donated it to charity.

I was coming here to say this. People often miss negatives too which is why if you say any day except Tuesday they will reply saying great Tuesday works.

It can be really derailing as well ...
OP: should I allow my 16-year old get a bus on her own into town at 9pm?
2nd post: What age is she, OP? I'd say no if she's primary age.
3rd: What time, OP? I wouldn't allow a primary kid go into town after 4 pm.
4th Why doesn't she get the bus , OP? Much safer and easier for a 9 year old.