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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think it is perfectly normal to meet people from the internet in real life?

64 replies

5inthebed · 14/08/2011 21:32

And that it is becoming an everyday in this day and age?

I have a friend coming to stop at my house in a few weeks time, she is bringing her children, and I have children as well. We met on the internet (on a different parenting forum) years ago, and have met up twice since. She is like my best friend, my best online friend anyway.

My mother is disgusted by this. She thinks that I am putting my whole family at risk, and that said friend will be a mass murderer and pinch my kids. Hmm

OP posts:
ChaosTrulyReigns · 14/08/2011 21:54

I have met some MNers and been everso pleased with the results.

I have 2 more in the offing.

GwendolineMaryLacey · 14/08/2011 21:56

Met loads of people too. I was meeting internet friends back in the 90's when there were only about 8 of us using it! Not one wierdo amongst them...well, no dangerous weirdos anyway :o

kayah · 14/08/2011 21:58

I have been meeting friends off internet for 11 years now :)

Original poster
5inthebed · 14/08/2011 22:00

Grin Beertricks

She has only been "online" since last year, and even on FB she won't accept friends request unless the person answers a few questions. She is most odd.

OP posts:
spudinvasion · 14/08/2011 22:01

My Mum meets up with a group of online friends about 5 times a year. They met on a crafting forum and meet up at craft fairs. My Mum is 70.

Sidge · 14/08/2011 22:02

I've got a few friends I originally met online. One lives nearby and we are now really good mates.

I've also been to stay, and had to stay, a couple more women I've met online, and their children.

I don't think it's unusual at all. But I wouldn't invite someone to stay right off the bat, there would have to be 'history' before I did IYKWIM!

YouDoTheMath · 14/08/2011 22:02

I have a friend who I met online. Drove three hours to meet her at her home (she's housebound). Had a brilliant day, and six months later went again and had an even better one.

But for the reasons you've stated in your OP, I've never told my Mum about her, and nor would I (DP knows and is highly supportive).

Gay40 · 14/08/2011 22:05

Perfectly normal. In fact, I think it's easier than the RL option.

mediawhore · 14/08/2011 22:09

I use another forum where I would count us as friends rather than randoms. Have met many in real life, had some stay over my house on more than one occasion and have been on holiday with some of them.

I think maybe your mum is from a generation of non-internetters (or not 'natural' internetters) and doesn't quite 'get' that this is a perfectly acceptable way of making friends.

Just as long as caution is taken as there ARE a number of weirdos out there.

TheFlyingOnion · 14/08/2011 22:23

Totally normal! I met DP on the Internet and am surprised (and offended) when people think there's something weird about it.

It also didn't occur to me before we met up that he might be a psychotic axe murderer, as lots of my friends seemed to think Hmm

nannynick · 14/08/2011 22:36

Normal these days. I've met people who I only know of via Twitter. I've even been along to a Tweetup (where several people on twitter all go to a certain pub/restaurant and meet for informal lunch and chat).

mummytotwoboys · 14/08/2011 22:41

I havent actually met anyone who I have online spoken to online but YANBU, I was bridesmaid for two couples (so 2 of my best friends) who met over the internet. They are so happy and previously both were quite unlucky in love, I think its a great thing.

Naetha · 14/08/2011 22:47

I met DH on t'internet back before that was the "done" thing.

11 years together, 7 years married, 2 kids and about to emigrate.

Not bad for newfangled technology ;)

maxybrown · 14/08/2011 22:49

I married mine Grin

maighdlin · 14/08/2011 23:08

i met DH online Grin i think online if your chatting to someone you'll get to know them a lot more than some one you met in a bar.

gogoredpanda · 14/08/2011 23:16

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DitaVonCheese · 14/08/2011 23:17

I met DH on the internet too. We had quite a lot of internet friends to our wedding - my mum asked if we'd actually met them all in person (um, yes).

I'm now wondering how many of the posters who've replied on this thread I know ... :ph34r: Wink

YellowDinosaur · 14/08/2011 23:19

Another one who met her dh online! Smile Also met MNers IRL and never regretted it Smile

acsec · 14/08/2011 23:21

Imet my DP online too - we have been together over 4yrs now

YellowDinosaur · 14/08/2011 23:21

To be fair though you ARE posting this question on an online forum where chatting to strangers online is the norm. So itsnot a amssive leap of faith to think that at least some of us have friends we met online. Ask this at a WI meeting or knitting circle and you may get a differnt response! (accepting the poster whose Mum in her 70s has met up with a group of ladies she met online...)

BitterAndTwistedChoreDodger · 14/08/2011 23:27

I kind of get it. I have met quite a few MNers in RL and consider some real friends. But if my family ask how I know them / met them - I usually Lie Blush

LolaRennt · 14/08/2011 23:31

I think you have to be sensible about letting anyone in to your home if you can't be 100% sure about their situation. But I'd say the same about a guy I met at a bar as much as a guy I met online. I take a bit more caution, but I have met loads of friends online in RL and have always had good experiences.

Blondeshavemorefun · 14/08/2011 23:41

totally normal

i have made some wonderful friends from different sites of the internet including mn who i have met in the rw and been amazing support to me over the death of dh :(

yes obv there are 'nutters' about but its not like you havnt met her before

CurrySpice · 14/08/2011 23:44

I have made lots of fab friends that I met online. I have visited their houses, they have visited mine.

Most have been sane :o

In fact, one of my best freinds in RL, I met online. She has worked for me for the last 5 years and I've just got in from being at the pictures with her. She has yet to try and murder me, or jump my bones :o

AnyFucker · 14/08/2011 23:47

I have met peeps off MN

I am still alive to tell the tale (and so are they)