To hope to start an AIBU thread when it's not suggested I'm a journalist/researcher?!

[Liketochat1]

Is this a completely unrealistic ambition of mine?! Is it just a process people have to go through as some people on here sure are suspicious? What on earth's happened to make you so cynical?!

Is that it? Is that the sum total of her contribution to a thread that she starts?

No wonder people think you're a journo, love.

A conversation is a two way thing, an exchange of views and ideas, an interaction.

People don't want to waste their energy on someone who isn't interested in actually talking with them.

If you don't change your style, people will just stop responding to you altogether, because they'll shrug and go, well, what's the point, she never bothers coming back.

If you ask people something, or start a conversation, you have to at least appear to be interested in what they have to say!

You start contentious threads and then bugger off

Seriously, after the last AIBU you started I did try to look at your profile and looked at your posting history because it really did read like a journo. But then I saw you post on some of the help-type forums so I guessed you weren't. Or you're just a journo with a baby.

Hecate's right, though, because you don't get involved in your own threads they'll shrug and go, well, what's the point, she never bothers coming back

What they said ^^

Also, you disappear from the whole site for large swathes of time. You've been MIA for most of October. It's all a bit odd!

Perhaps the OP will go across and befriend the Nethuns with his/her bubbly personality and witty repartee mutny

:) I like the optimism.

Hecate - I think you have it in one. Plus OP's a journalist asking us for tips to seem less like a journalist. Very sneaky...

This is a double bluff?! You really are suspicious. What can I tell you about myself- I'm 39 and a mum of 3. I'm an SAHM. I come on and lurk or ask questions when I think I will have more time but then life sometimes gets in the way. I newsy/topical things most. I've been suffering from anxiety/PND for a couple of years now nearly but I think 'finally' I'm starting to get better. And I've never written an article for publication in my life!

Well, it is not the first time that you have been accused of being a journalist so I can only presume that you haven't learned anything since the last time you complained about it.

And yes, starting threads with 'look at this news story, what do you think' is suspicious.

I've started tons of threads about news stories and never been asked if I were a journalist.

You have to give something of yourself, thats the point. Atm it sounds like people think you don't give of yourself. That gets noticed. It is in your power to change that. But if you choose not to, people will continue to notice. You have to decide if thats ok with you. If not - change the way you approach people and they'll change the way they respond

Look, lots of journalists are on these boards. In the last week I have been contacted by PM by two different ones in reference to my posts on threads.

I'm always dubious for the reasons outlined above. Interact more

THere is actually nothing wrong with being a journalist . Can I point out that this site was set up by hacks?

MI

Thank you, my lovely - it's just that on MN as a general rule, journos (as opposed to 'writers' ) are considered lower than pond scum. As a MNer of nine years' standing, I find this a little hurtful. (And yes, I have interviewed a fair few fellow MNers over the years. So shoot me. I have, conversely, found my own stuff quoted as useful on issues like SPD.)

"THere is actually nothing wrong with being a journalist . Can I point out that this site was set up by hacks?"

Can I point out that using the word "Hack" when talking about journalists is a bit dodgy at the moment. What with them not being able to go more than 5 minutes without hacking into people's voicemail.

merlottits
I think that MNHQ very much frown upon journalists contacting MNers via PM so I'd report that to them.

I don't dislike journalists, I have friends who are journalists and think most of them do a bloody good job for little monetary reward. I'd prefer if they would research their articles without using MN.