If you recognised RL self in another mumsnetter's post

[PatheticTrumpet]

Wwyd?

Has this ever happened on here, I wonder?

If it has to you - what did you do?

Did you confront that person in RL?

Did you just keep quiet and post a few leading messages on mumsnet to make sure you were right?

Or was it just pure coincidence?

I'm just wondering tbh - cant say I've noticed anything about me in particular on here yet

I know the username of a friend of a friend. I've never met her but I know how to freak her out if I ever do

The only reason I am monitoring is honestly because she has said some vile things about me - unfounded / she is very insecure and likes tO control everyone.

I just want to see how big a hole she digs for herself.

I accidently outed my pregnancy to a RL friend who also used this site at 6 weeks! She phoned me to congradulate me and point out she knew who I was. Didn't change my name though.

After this thread I've namechanged. Don't want to be recognised.

I think name changing regularly is a good idea, are you allowed to do this?

I would imagine I am fairly recognisable on here but it wouldn't worry me that much - although there was one thread a while ago I posted on and relayed a story about a friend that I thought had done something out of order in response to someone then I got flamed as apparently it wasn't out of order so I am guessing she'd be upset if she recognised me/her from that.

I don't see why you shouldn't name change as long as it's not with the aim of causing trouble.

HaLaMa I think for most people it would be more around not being recognised or linked to other posts so people could eventually work out who you are rather than causing trouble, so I guess you are right its not really a problem.

I think name changing is very sensible indeed if you divulge personal stuff on here. I live in fear of one of my family members "stumbling" across me. Also, remember last year when a certain MNer hit the headlines? Would hate to think that journos could just run a search on you and find out all about you and relate it to your real life...

what? I don't remember that? what happened?

They hit the headlines? How awful!

I change my name frequently and use fake names for myself, partners, exes, family, etc. I change 'sister' to 'brother' or 'mum' to 'cousin' or... whatever. To make it safer.

I just don't want to be recognised at all - I've been stalked across the internet before by someone who knew me - it was awful!!!

So now Im super careful.

yeah I do that, I change the gender in the story etc,

MN is one of the most watched forums around IMO, and I feel quite aware of that which is why I do name change

I think it's prudent to a) use a different nn if you want to all about something very personal or that might cause offence, b) nam change intermittently anyway, maybe every few months, so that you don't leave too big a trail and c) vary details slightly from RL to throw people off the scent, such as the exact ages of DCs, DSis becomes SIL, etc (where it doesn't make a difference/matter).

I think I found a friend on here but didn't probe too much as it was upsetting/personal stuff she'd been discussing.

X-post!

Very good advice everyone, I will definitely be more careful in future!

I can categorically state that no one on this thread (so far) is the person I am referring to.

Ooh, this thread has made me paranoid. Some good advice on here though. Right, I'm off to think of a new name!

I had a conversation once, & saw a thread about it the next day. It basically centered around the other person misunderstanding a remark I made, & feeling sorry for my child! I wanted to set th erecord straight, but it would've outed me.

jimswife did you comment on the thread telling the OP they were BU? I think thats what I would have done!

I am a SENCO/ deputy headteacher. As I have my own little ones I'm regularly on the primary education and SEN kids boards, I've recognised a few over the years and quite a few talking about how I deal with things! Mainly neutral. Only on one occasion did I find it very difficult not to write back along the lines of saying 'my funding is bloody stretched, I just can't offer more'!!!

I'm paranoid now too! I DEFINATELY needAbetterNickname lol

How many of us are going to namechange after reading this thread? :D (me for starters but I need to because I have eaten all the Brie!)

I've recognised quite a popular poster as someone who lives about 2 seconds away from me. I'd never have cottoned onto it but recognised her daughter from profile pics. She is bloody hilarious and gorg and never written anything i'd worry about if it was me and I was recognised.