Why is everyone so mean on mumsnet?

[Orchidskeepdying]

New poster - been lurking for a few weeks. What I've noticed is that everyone is so mean. Parents/women/people come here for advice and they are torn to pieces or spelling critisied.

I feel that you all can be a little bit nicer to each other. People sometimes post to get a different opinion, but we can be nice about how we say things!

Anyway, thanks for listening - i bet someone will say something mean!

Maybe not mean,just honest?

No, not honest. Mean!

Everyone is not mean on MN. Some people are extremely kind and helpful
Have you posted something stupid and had your stupidity pointed out to you, by any chance?

Yes there are mean people ..they seem to need to big themselves up by making other people feel stupid.

I don't think you've read many threads tbh, if that is your genuine opinion.

Like SGB's comment above. You are right, there are mean people, but for pointing it out she wants to make you feel stupid.

Mean compared to where?? Which forum are you comparing us to?

Because there is lots of bullies on MN who think they're clever and witty. I've been on here a long time and most of the time i like the intelligent banter but i do think they're always lots of people who take it to far. I can only assume its because they are quite repressed in their everyday life.

• too far

I mean there are lovely people too, but people are often unkind in a passive aggressive way, disguising it as honesty, directness or humour.

But basically it's an excuse for being unkind.

If MN is that mean then don't come on here, yes there will be difference of opinion that's what forums are about. Sorry but whinging that's it's bad on here only shows me that you don't know how forums work, it's not all fluffy bunny rabbits and praise for the OP. Sometimes the OP will post something stupid

Are you a hippy? - I'm kinda hippy.
I b/f my dc and I have a Fleet Foxes CD.

Peace and love

xx

it depends where you look. There are wonderful MNers out there - antenatal and postnatal threads tend to be very supportive as does Pregnancy, General Health, Relationships and Bereavement.
Things can get a bit mean in AIBU or Baby Names but you don't have to join in!

The vast majority of people aren't mean.

Some people are brutally honest, better than sugar coating every response.

Orchid, yes, there are some posts which can get a bit nasty and turn into slanging matches but there are also posters who ask for it! I think people just say what they think on the net, as they can let down their defenses and although sometimes it sounds harsh at least it makes you think about things in a different light.
Most of my posts (I've been on mumsnet about a year) I have had some really useful information,views and advice even if it didn't sound like what I wanted to hear at the time.

Having said that, I agree there seem to be some people who like to take things and twist them in their favour or into an argument for the sake of a few words.

As for bullies I'm a newbie of a few weeks so not come across any. Plus anyone can be a bully behind their computer but seldom can manage it face to face.
Now let's all smile :) it's the weekend

Jesus
People are much nicer on here than they are on "B enefits r us"

*BluddyMoFo Sat 04-Jun-11 10:05:33
Fuck off.

Oooh I make me laugh!*

Bollocks you got in first

you do have to be very careful what you post. people can jump on you.
it will pass
you will learn how to avoid/handle it

Group hug (((((((((((hug))))))))))))))))

Depends, but yeah, there is meanness around.

I've had loads of help though. And a few roastings. But the good far outweighs the bad. And I prefer it here to one of the fluffy wuffy yunoyurbubshunny sites.

You'll always have someone posting something so outrageous on here you know it's a wind up. Just report those type of threads. They soon get pulled.
If anyone's abusive report that too. Its really that simple :)