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!

I think that people are more genuine-in RL you have to be diplomatic.
I think it is good to have your preconceptions challenged and when people are so sure they are 'right for everyone' to point out that they are only right for them-and other people think the opposite-which is right for them.

Primal - I wish I could afford what I'd like to be on!!

This thread may have turned into a bit of a pisstake but essentially the message remains the same. If people don't come on MN talking shit, making up dramas and being rude to people trying to help them then I can't think why anyone would have a problem.
Sure there are one or two who just say shitty things for the sake of it. I don't think any of us are that but I am congenitally unable to sit on my hands when someone is being a complete arse and that ain't going to change any time soon!

I think there are people on here who are genuinely socially inept - they don't seem to have much of a real life as whenever you log in you notice millions of posts from them (scottishmummy?bupcakesandcunting?) and they are not so much mean as unable to express themselves without being rude and abusive, though they probably don't think they are being either as they don't spend enough time in the real world and too much time online.

Having said that people can be very very nice and supportive as I have experienced first hand - there are just some horrors that want to take it all out on anonymous people online.

with names like that....you get what you expect...They are probABLY writing as they talk in the pub. This is not a pub.

See now I dont see those two particular posters as abusive. Yes they can be rude and abrupt but not abusive, not to genuine posters. Gah... I'm throwing the word 'genuine' around too much, i'm beginning to annoy myself.

Ha ha Borninafrica -

And yes - I agree with all you said

The problem with the written word is it can be misconstrued because it is difficult to gauge the intention behind the post.

Without facial expressions etc, comments can be taken as harsh when the intention is maybe just honesty and straight-talking.

I think 'knowing' you does help a bit with that, Mofes

HANG ON.

What do you mean, this is not a pub?

Thought the beer tasted funny.

How do you think I feel? I've just put a quid in the fruit machine.

If this aint a pub then whose balls have I been knocking around the pool table?

Beesimo does talk straight and I can see how someone without the confidence to speak that way might be intimidated but in her defence she always talks like that so you can't really take issue with it. It's her. Cunting is someone I've not really noticed tbh.

Beer if she tells you PM me.

I've told Beer and she can tell you Fowl - but stand ready to be sorely disappointed because............well, I'm not anyone except me!

I don't believe you and shall stalk annoy you until you tell us...

LMAO - I wish I could namechange to that!

Whose round is it?