bulling on mumsnet.

[threefeethighandrising]

Yes, this is a thread about a thread. Or lots of threads in fact. So shoot me.

I'm shocked saddened by the level of bullying that goes on, particularly in AIBU.

I'm not complaining about people speaking their minds. One of the things I love about mumsnet is frank exchanges, that people can say what they want.

What worries me is a nasty group mentality - people ganging up on a poster - usually a new one - and picking apart their story and being absolutely, unforgivably nasty to them.

We teach our DCs to stand up to bullies. Well, how do we stand up to these ones?

I've recommended mumsnet to many people over the years, as a place you can find fantastic support, frank and honest opinions. Those kinds of threads make me question whether this is a place I should be inviting any one other than those with a very think skin. Which is a real shame IMO.

I'm not really asking AIBU. I am asking how we can stand up to bullies on mumsnet. I've posted it here because it happens here a lot.

LeQueen, I couldn't agree more...

The banter was there to be had..it was declined, there is no reason to hold someones hand throughout their posting career if the cannot see and grab an opportunity when it presents itself.

Shame really.

NB. I'm not going to netmums because I'm a persistent little fucker and I will be acknowledged :)

I've not been bullied in RL nor have i been bullied on MN. I've not even been flamed. must start posting more i luuuurve MN (can I be bullied/flamed for using luuuurve then I will feel as though I have finally arrived!)
Seriously, Mumsnet is what it is - supportive, humouress (is that even a word??) and great for good old plain speaking.
As you were. I'll go back to lurking!

oh and LaQueen FWIW i thought thi bit

• Add message | Report | Message poster LeQueen Wed 23-Feb-11 21:43:22 "I would rather know why and improove accordingly."

Right, well, firstly spelling *

was bloody funny .

Made me splurt!

Takes BB off LeQueen and beats her with it !!

"you will bloody notice me "

No one likes a show off [woteva]

I would have thought real bullying is like when you're called horrible names which get you very upset, or when you receive PMs with an insulting or menancing content?

and in terms of doing something about it, if the Report button is not enough or not liked, the I agree a bully emoticon would be quite funny

(sorry for the typos)

In the examples given early on in this thread, two posters in particular, purposefully belittle the OP, her issues are obviously BIG issues to her, so in that instance why bother posting horrible comments, that's what I can't understand, if you are so opinionated post elsewhere, to use your time and energy to question the authenticity of a story of someone who is in a bit of a pickle and come to a forum for a bit of advice, is hurtful, disrespectful and just a little bit nasty. And actually a bit sad,

Not sure its classed as "typical" bullying but hey its a big word that covers a lot of things these days.

you don't know anything about me LeQueen and my comment about netmums was sarcastic and a joke but obviously you didn't pick up on that.

I didn't assume that you were calling my post inarticulate, I just read the posts too quickly and jumped to the wrong conclusion. I even admitted that, yet you have continued to make conclusions about my character to suit your argument.

I also explained that my question was not asked because I was offended, it was asked because I genuinely wanted to know if I wasn't articulating myself well and therefore try to change how I explain myself.

Sounds like you are misinterpreting posts to suit your hypothesis? That I am one of the over sensitive whingey types perhaps? Well I didn't get to where I am by being whingey and over sensitive (nice family, first class honours degree, home of my own etc) given I was an abused child.

How do I see the world and what is my place in it? Well I will be the judge of that

oh well it seems my netmums comment wasn't taken as the joke intended, maybe I need to brush up on my sarcasm skills

Sorry rosie but I agree with LeQ. She tried to banter with you and the offer wasn't taken up. You do come across as being overly sensitive. There's nothing wrong with that, there is a place in society fir all personalities and sensitivity is a needed quality. But you also have to realise that it is good to take a step back and look at posts dispassionately rather than assuming they are about you.

Stay and banter with us. Its fun just being silly sometimes. And it's always good to make friends and I would welcome another bantering partner :)

"Netmums sounds great, I've had a lot of recommendations

Might give it a whirl"

Sorry Rosie - but I thought the same unfortunately....

perhaps a little use of exclamation mark to show tone of the statement? Maybe even a little emoticon :), maybe even a [funny comment surrounded by roadblockers as I call them]

Have a and let that be the end of it :)

[just got a weird look from photocopier man for mooing out loud]

Hahaha did he moo back?

he said "knew this place was full of cows"

what!!! should I complain?

AIBU to complain about this man after he called me a cow when he heard me mooing out loud?