To be terrified of being outed in real life?

[proudnsad]

I like looking at other poster's profiles, but just couldn't do my own (I sound a little creepy now don't I?).

I'd be too scared of being outed in RL. I don't mind any harsh comments or silliness I may have spouted - nor even admissions of my rather alarming wine habit - but stuff I've posted about my family or dh or dc, god it could be messy...

Has anyone been outed in RL over a specific post, or otherwise, and what happened? And am I paranoid with delusions of grandeur (ie who the hell am I and why would anyone be interested in me)...

I lie on profiles and give false "info" in regards to location/family composition on all forums.

I was outed by a rl friend, who told me in case I wanted to change my name; can't remember what gave me away, may have been a bike riding comment

I haven't changed my name though as I usually lounge around the style & beauty thread and I don't think my views on maxis (scrumptious if at least 5'7) will cause her to think badly of me

However, it does make me think twice about bum sex threads

I have been outed in RL when I started to tell a specific story and a good friend recognised it. Without even thinking, she said 'I know who you are!'

I could name change but I don't really say anything here that I wouldn't say to her face. I'm just if she works out how much time I spend here..........

I do not, however, tell other people that I use MN - she only knows because she recommended it to me.

I reckon always assume that people you know are on here - I know for a fact that two people from my work are and so I don't post anything I wouldn't be comfortable in talking to them about in RL.

If I ever did want to post on something very sensitive I would prob change my name for it

I used to be quite naive and would quite happily post quite a lot of detail. Now I'm older and wiser and although I've never personally had any issues, I've seen a few freaky situations evolve on forums and it's quite scary the lengths that some people will go to when they fall out with someone online. So now I remain much more anonymous and I like it!

yes, a couple of times, but I wasn't bothered and I don't post photos, they just put two and two together which was not really difficult as I gave so much personal information. so yes, can defintiely happen

It wouldn't particularly bother me to be outed. I don't bitch about my friends, family or DH on here and my opinions are ones that most people I know are aware of. I would never post on anything sensitive in this user name though, I've given far too much info away on myself over the 4 years I've been on here, and have never name changed, so I would be fairly easy to ID. Can't imagine why anyone would bother though.

I'm out and open, I bumped into a fellow school mum on here and we meet up in rl. I wonder if I should be more discreet sometimes but I wouldn't like to feel that mn is a secret hangout, it's just part of my cyber life along with Twitter and Facebook.

I suppose we are all outed more often than we assume if we give away enough personal information. Not everyone would come out and tell you

I know a few people in RL who post in here and bet there are a few more I don't know about.

That said I would expect 'what is posted on Mumsnet to stay on Mumsnet' a bit like fight club

I wouldn't mention in RL what any RL friend had posted on Mumsnet unless she brought it up first. After all we all need a place to sound off away from friends and family.

I suppose if I'm totally honest I would be embarassed about some things I've said on AIBU. Because obviously you say things in a more, ahem, succint (read brutal) way on here and it might be a bit alarming.

I've given away more info than I meant to as well which is why occasionally I get nervy. But also I have almost gone to recommend MN to a few people I know would love it then thought again in case they recognise me!!