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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to feel sorry for the people who spend half their lives on mumsnet?

476 replies

destinationzero · 09/09/2011 12:27

I lurk a bit at work ( prenteding to be busy, saves me making the tea ) and have started the odd thread here and there seeking advice, BuT my god I feel sorry for the posters who are on here day in day out for hours.
I know some people are socially isolated and I'm sure they get a lot from mumsnet, but it is rather sad when it becomes your main source of adult interaction, and by choice for many I imagin. I know mumsnet has one million members, but it's always the same names coming up in active conversations. These forums should be a place where you drop into now and then, not somewhere you rely on for friendship.

AIBU ?

OP posts:
NeverKnowinglyUnderDoug · 09/09/2011 16:43

Neglect the children?

Oh fuck! The kids....

exoticfruits · 09/09/2011 16:48

I am working at home and when on the computer it is pretty easy to just have a quick look-rather like being in a stafff room. Where else can you have a window onto people's lives and give candid opinions? In RL I am diplomatic and it isn't half as much fun! I don't have small DCs needing attention-I just flit in and out.

madam52 · 09/09/2011 16:48

Katie there is a saying - possibly originates from that other parrallel world that goes.... 'dont handicap your children by making life easy for them' .

Well as a parent I have lived and breathed by that and none of my children speak to me now its never done mine any harm.

KatieScarlett2833 · 09/09/2011 16:50

Loving the validation madam I may use that the next time they ask me for a lift Grin

which should be in about 10 mins.....

OracleInaCoracle · 09/09/2011 16:52

I'm a big fan of neglect. In children its character-building, in housework its immune system-building, in relationships its marriage-prolonging.

SarahStratton · 09/09/2011 17:01

I like that lissielou. That is going to be my new life philosophy.

Pan · 09/09/2011 17:16

I feel sorry for those people who spend half their lives on Mumsnet. They are missing out in the other. The fools.

Pan · 09/09/2011 17:17

'in the other half'. You fool.

Original poster
destinationzero · 09/09/2011 17:27

It's harder to be popular in real life, that's my point. On here you are hidden to a certain extent, and it's difficult to tell if someone has genuine charisma or if they're taking the piss.
People are more than just words. Body language, eye contact, you can tell a lot about someone from those things, that was my point about 'eye contact', the internet has a coldness about it.
And some people can be great on the internet but complete dullards in real life.

OP posts:
SarahStratton · 09/09/2011 17:29

Still here OP? Don't you have something better to do unlike us sad fucks ?

KatieScarlett2833 · 09/09/2011 17:39

It is not hard to be popular in real life you great big saddo.

AnyFucker · 09/09/2011 17:41

Blimey, OP, you have been here all day haven't you ?

Don't you have any friends in RL ?

Cocoflower · 09/09/2011 17:42
stripeybump · 09/09/2011 17:42

KS Grin you great big saddo

Pagwatch · 09/09/2011 17:43

But why does that matter?

There are people (on mn actually) who have difficulty with direct social interaction through all sorts of reasons including asd related conditions, acute shyness etc.
If the Internet allows the fact that they are kind or witty to shine through then why is that a bad thing.

Why do you feel that one is only genuinely funny or nice if you can look someone in the eye and tell a joke or make them feel great?

There are plenty of great people who find that difficult.

You seem ever so happy to dismiss anyone who can't live the life you do without holding any respect for the fact that they have found a different path. Is that not troubling to you - given your attempts to express your criticisms as just an emphasis upon personal warmth and human empathy?

It is contradictory isn't it?
Or bollocks, as we folk what don't read books say.

LeBOF · 09/09/2011 17:43

You've been here for FIVE HOURS? Shock

Or do you just dip in and out, like, er, most people?

Pagwatch · 09/09/2011 17:45

I missed the end of Lace too

OracleInaCoracle · 09/09/2011 17:46

It's harder to be popular in real life, that's my point.

Actually, I disagree, and think you are confusing popularity with being likable and liked. Some of the most popular people I know are not very nice at all. Some people are better in person, because online they come across as brittle, charmless and judgey. They need everything else to get their point across. Its harder to have conversations and make yourself understood without body language eyc to fall back on.

Sarahstratton, be my guest Grin

LeBOF · 09/09/2011 17:47

Paggy, I think the goldfish dies Sad

AnyFucker · 09/09/2011 17:48

by OP's reckoning I have been MNing for 4 yearsX 365 days a yearX24 hours a day

that's a fucking shit load of MN'ing

I should be a pile of ash on the floor by that reckoning

AnyFucker · 09/09/2011 17:49

I am wonderful on MN and in RL

beat that, bitch Grin

OracleInaCoracle · 09/09/2011 17:49

Paggy, it'll be on again. I have the sequal to the book I can lend you if you like Grin

OracleInaCoracle · 09/09/2011 17:49

Paggy, it'll be on again. I have the sequal to the book I can lend you if you like Grin

Pagwatch · 09/09/2011 17:51

Poor poor fishy.

Sad
OracleInaCoracle · 09/09/2011 17:53

BOF, dya think? Surely it was kept wet? (Sorry Blush