AIBU to want to know (MN clique)

[joric]

if there is a MN clique? Someone mentioned it on a thread and I'm now wondering if everyone knows each other in person?

I'm not sure about cliches.

Some are trite, overdone and groanworthy.

Others have their place in a diverse society.

There are certainly people who know each other - some are even family, sisters etc, who know each others posting names. And some other people come on because a RL friend tells them about it.

And then others meet up even though they didn't know each other before - either for drunken nights out or to all go along to a park or event with their DC.

But most of us don't know each other except on here.

I think there can be a difference in how people treat someone they feel "familiar" with compared to someone they don't "recognise", because when you have a bit of history with someone you see the wider context of whet they post. So, you might think "blimey you're having a bad day" and be sympathetic when they post something a bit sharp, rather than coming back with "How dare you say that!" IYSWIM?

Of course you have to behave like a dick to get banned Adagoo. But it is a fact that the Mods on here will be much more lenient on certain names behaving like a dick than on others. Seen this first hand.

BTW - AnyFucker are you part of the MN hierarchy? You must be.

Sorry BeerT.

Will try harder.

Cliques have never been
Unique - they sprout up ev'rywhere
Never mind - ignore.

There.

I don't know anyone in RL. If some people meet up elsewhere that shouldn't affect the fact that we're all part of the MN community here online :)

I have only been here a few months, and I haven't noticed any cliques or quiches. I just reply to topics, and really don't pay attention to "who's friendly with who etc".

I just wade in with my thoughts and opinions, whether you like it or not. :)

I have met a few MNers, have some on fb and text some but doesn't mean only reply to them.

Do people know each other in RL?

Some people already know each other in RL

There are general "anyone on MN" meetups at Christmas and sometimes other times

Often big cities will have an area meetup

Or people who chat to each other a lot will choose to meet with each other

If you only spoke to people you "know" you'd have a very limited MN experience

I think the dynamic changes a bit when people 'know' eachother, on here or in RL. If a stranger said something a bit controversial to you in the street you might be a bit , but if it's a friend you have a better idea of their intentions and are better placed to understand what they mean.

It can be the same on here, and posters who 'know' eachother might respond differently to their comments than a stranger would. It can seem a bit cliquey, but it's not really. It's just banter between friends, usually.

I think some people feel nervous about posting on someone who is "mn royalty" (I don't really believe in that term but for my arguments sake I will use it) thread so then they don't. But what would happen if they posted~? Well people get used to seeing their name, some may reply, some may agree or chat. No one is going to say fuck off who the hell are you? (well unless they say something awful)

I didn't know anyone on MN before joining, all I have met in rl/fb have been from chatting on here.

There is definately not one big quiche that everyone else has to listen to.

I have seen many a thread where someone supposedly popular has written something twatty/ignorant and gotten pasted.

But there are long standing threads which are a bit like mini-quiches I suppose? They tend to have the same people on them/meet up occasionally/a similar interest. So if they bump into each other on other threads they will know each other much better and might forgive what other's wouldn't because they know background details.

But they are also usually very friendly and welcoming if you can work out wtf they're talking about.

If anyone uses the phrase "MN Royalty" they are not being complimentary. They are saying "That person over there gets more replies and people agree with them more because their name i known".

They may or may not be right.

Mauriz Holdall!

How are you darlin'?

Mauriz wants to come in from the cold.

I meet quite a few people in RL - locals and adoption crew but generally (adoption crew excepted) I dpn';t chat much with them on MN

Thats odd isn;t it - I'm in an offline clique but naomi no-mates online!

It is a bit like toddler groups when people say hardly anyone spoke to me and so they never go back.

But you need to push yourself in a bit, join in, help out, ask questions and after a few weeks its like you were always there.

I have been to many many new toddlers in lots of different places and always knowing no one at all. The first few weeks are a bit akward but then you sort of settle in, and then it becomes you showing the newbies the ropes.

Good thing with forums is you can sit and observe first, get the feel of the place.

I do sometimes think people who are obsessed with cliques and no one wanting to talk to them is actually because they are very shy or paranoid about cliques and expect everyone to do all the work for them. I do know some people are complete bitches but I think the majority are friendly if you make enough of an effort. Are you all going to slap me now for that theory?

I am the Queen Mother

(based on my gin consumption, anyway)

Only if you don't name the "complete bitches"

hey Biwi!

The best post on any subject I ever seen on MN was just the other day. It said:

HULLY IS ALWAYS RIGHT

Succint, percipient and gainly.

have ever