to feel confused by the level of affection one feels for nicknames on a screen?

[ClockWatchingLady]

I'm a bit late to the party, having only just discovered MN (never been on other "chat" type sites either). It really feels like people care about each other here, and (like countless others, it seems) I continually find myself "checking" on people on certain threads, and thinking about some posters' welfare very regularly.

I can't formulate my question exactly, but isn't it a bit weird that none of us really knows each other? Or do we? What does it all mean?! People who have been on MN a long time: do you feel that you have real "friendships" here?

I've actually posted my real name on here, Sparkling. I blog on the network under my own name as well.

shrug. There is no privacy anymore. Why pretend there is?

As I said though, I'm not slating the place. I've seen huge amounts of support which is lovely :)

I can see you Nirvana

I think you need to stop name changing unless you are wanting to remain completely under the radar.

It takes a while to start to recognise names.

Tee, I now have a link with you, having fallen for my DP ove 'tinternet!!

Some I get a link with on here, some I don't. It's not even about redular posting. Not even sure what it is.

I know what you mean. I always think of a poster called Pickles77. She had a pretty tough time but seemed so lovely. Her thread was the first one I ever read on here, back when I was not brave enough to post very often. She changed her name at the new year so she could have a new start. I often wonder how she is getting on. if you're reading this.

Some MNers have met up at MN get-togethers, some have rallied round and made blankets, helped clean homes, looked for lost teddies etc.
Some have PMd (private messaged) each other for various reasons and struck up a friendship. Others have supported a poster who might have been getting a flaming and recognise each other through further posts/threads.

Welcome to MN

It is strange isn't it.

But you speak to internet sprites over a few years and you do end up caring for them. That's why emotional vampire trolls can be so hurtful I suppose.

I started a thread earlier because I noticed a mumsnetter who has a hard life has had all her posts withdrawn. MNHQ don't do that lightly and I admit I am concerned for her welfare.

I have also been to a few meetups (waves at brain) and it is great seeing user names come to life, so to speak. And I have found that the mners I have met in RL are exactly as they come across on here (I am fortunate in that all I have met have been completely lovely).

It is also great fun to meet up over a bottle of wine and say 'did you see that fucking INSANE thread last week'

regular!! Not redular! WTF is that?

I'm very drawn to certain posters, happily (for them-and me?!) not in a stalkerish way. I massively respect most ie about 90 % of the posters on here, setting aside the trolls.

I even love the clearly bobbins regulars. Naming no names of course

And then there's practical matters:- Sparkling once gave me a great tip: liquid talc...
...you don't forget things like that in a hurry I can tell you

Yeah I'm keeping this name. No more name changing for me.

Cheers SisterMatic

Mamma! Cheers to us.

Liquid Talc Pasty. Every home should have some.

I would raise a glass but I have polished off two bottles of wine and the fridge is now bare!

I don't think anybody really likes me very much on here but there are certain posters I always like to see particularly. There are others who I frequently disagree with, in my head or on the page, but their views and reasoning are always interesting so I enjoy seeing them too.

I love liquid talc!

(DP,better than any Ebay find, is in charge of the DC)

LGO - can you please PM and let me know who it was. My MN is broken so I can't look for your thread or PM you (but I can reply). MN can't fix me either :(

OP - I suppose it's 'odd' but you do come to know people and care a lot about some of them.

See now I came on here and was about to post that I recognise a lot of people, remember a fair bit about some back stories of others, have met one or two etc. but no real, close friendships and I doubt people know me because I'm not really that prolific....

All of which is true. Then I realise I have met four people on this thread alone (waves to GetOrf, Brain, FruOla and, um, you know who you are). Meet ups are awesome.

I'm with Tee and Sparkling though, I never bother to NC and am fairly open about everything. I've only NC'd once or twice for very tricky or private situations, and once where it wasn't really my story IYSWIM.

I agree with you Nirvana and feel same. I have name changed a couple of times. Mostly because I've felt judged and. NC feels like a fresh start. But then you don't build up that 'known reputation' which a lot of posters have.

It's certainly rings true with me about the 'connection' and checking up on threads because I am concerned for the poster. It is bizarre though in a nice way.

Have some of mine Mamma cheers everyone!

Forgot the bloody

Alis why on earthnwould you think people don't like you??

I could wave to NaturalBlonde and babyheave but they won't recognise my new name

Just finished mine Mamma!

I recognized your name, Hearts.

I name change seasonally but always have Tee in there somewhere.