to think the majority of "popular" threads follow the same pattern?

[HandsOnTheWheel]

I'm not talking about any thread in particular, but meaning threads that go on for quite a few days.

When it gets to the "exciting part" - such as the OP is about to confront someone, the OP suddenly goes missing and waits absolutely ages to come back.

I remember one OP breezed in saying - I'm going to clean the guinea pigs out and then I'll update you, after people even started their own threads begging for an update.

Aibu to think it's almost like they are enjoying teasing people and loving the attention.

Yes. I don't believe many of the threads posted though, I think they're highly embellished for drama.

If people wouldn't clamour for updates, the drama-llama OPs would soon be back because they thrive on the attentive audience. If they were ignored when they posted 'guinea pig cleansing' updates they'd soon zip back in and update properly.

I think for many of us though, MN is a distraction rather than an occupation and I can't remember some of the threads that really interested me at the time.

drama llama's

To be fair though, if the OP is really going off to confront someone, it's the kind of thing that really can take absolutely ages, especially when the OP undoubtedly has other things to do in her life that will sometimes take higher priority than posting on Mumsnet.

Aye thats the cut of those types of threads. Nothing exciting happens in my life that would have cause for such lengthy threads.

Thankfully.

yes you can't always know which posts are genuine and which are mischievous but it's usually a good indicator if there's massive drip feed.

you can't take Internet forums too seriously though especially aibu.

What Lying said - absolutely.

All the people marking their places and clucking round, begging for updates just feed that sort of thing...and it can be a bit cringeworthy too.

But it is really just a welcome distraction from the drudge of everyday life.

I don't think it's for attention at all. I think it takes balls to confront a situation and iften real life requires more attention at these times than updating a bunch of strangers on an Internet forum.

The thing is, you have no rights to an update on what might be something pretty upsetting for the OP, yes of course we all want to know the outcomes when people are struggling etc and on funny threads we want updates but well, some people the lucky bastards have a life

Live labour threads are the worst for this. She goes quiet for like half a day and we are supposed to be grateful when she posts a one-liner to say "3.15am, 8lb 4oz. Trying to sleep now."

I think it takes balls to confront a situation

Well I was just using that as a random example.

One had been where someone had parked on her drive and she had blocked them in all night and then the family had to come back the next day to collect the car.

Ime someone posting frequently rings bells for troll for me - like that one which started with potatoes and then she took in the homeless girl and was posting throughout.

Posters - if she's in your kitchen, how are you updating?

OP - I've got my laptop on the kitchen table

All -

those threads are odd
remember the bag in the loft
there was hysteria and they suggested she FINGER PRINT her own h

I don't like all of the "OP, where are you"s. I like to think of her having a life, out clubbing or doing the big shop or whatever with the thread topic occupying about 5% of her thoughts.

I also don't think it's fair when people want a nice, tidy resolution as if somebody's life is an episode of a soap opera or something.

I wonder what happened about the bag in the loft.

i had one once

it didnt go well. was about alan partridge and the murders of sex workers in east anglia

half way through i was accused of hiding from the anger

I was at tesco

oh it was the fil apparently

Was it the FIL? Really? Hmm.

Re: confrontation. If you are the OP and you know it'll take a while to do battle with a whole load of strangers on MN, you'd want to feed your guinea pigs first.

LOL at "hiding from the anger"

Meh, I don't care about this. People post, go and do life, come back and update when they get a second.

The worst ones are "Guess who I saw on the bus/train today?" Cue 6 pages of guessing then it turns out to be Ali from Eastenders c.1986.

I once saw Sean Connery.

I think at least 50% of threads are made up or wildly exaggerated on AIBU. You get good at spotting them. I always call them on it though I know it's against the rules, can't help myself (long time namechanger).

Does anyone remember the one about the noise next door every time the OP put the bathroom light on at night???

I am Sean Connery

Isitwrong I remember that one, very odd. It didn't ever come to a conclusion, did it?

I think OP did come back tbh but no there was no conclusion.