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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

People who are high and mighty about not being on facebook and then bitch when they miss out on stuff that's organised through facebook

196 replies

nemoschmemo · 22/01/2015 17:33

I know a few people like this. Turn their noses up at facebook (fine, their choice) but then go "wah, why wasn't I invited" when people make plans using facebook groups.

Case in point there's a fb group for parents of DC in my DDs year. People use it for things like reminders about what homework/spellings are this week.

Also sometimes gets used for social things - e.g. " a group of us are going to X play centre after school tonight if anyone fancies it."

I like fb groups for organising group activities - it's massively complicated trying to arrange things like that via text when you can't see what others are saying, email is too complicated as you end up with a gazillion emails and many of them cross.

With a fb group you can have a group conversation, it just makes sense.

But some people can't possibly just join fb to join a group and then just not indulge in the bits they don't like, they're too good for that. Fine. But don't then go '"WAH! I got left out!"

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 23/01/2015 08:38

Or maybe just try adding "obviously theses details are only on Facebook so could any of you passon the info to your friends/fellow class parents who are not"
Then, if anyone complains suggest they link up with someone on Facebook who can forward them the messages - like a phone tree.

It does seem to be a lot of angst and resentment for something that is really easy to resolve.

Bakeoffcakes · 23/01/2015 08:40

And before anyone says 'how can you possibly let those without Internet know about stuff without resorting to going and finding them' it's very simple. Every single time someone posts details of an event on FB- add the following sentence "some people do not use FB so if you know one on them PLEASE let them know by text/word of mouth. We don't want anyone to miss out'

Would that be do difficult?

Bakeoffcakes · 23/01/2015 08:42

X posted Pagwatch.

Pagwatch · 23/01/2015 08:52
Grin We are not being furious enough for this thread Bakeofcakes...
nemoschmemo · 23/01/2015 08:54

argh my lesson starts in 5 minutes I really am leaving! I really don't care about my 'attitude' how I've worded things, getting flack whatever. posting that I'd have more 'support' if I've worded things differently, eh? I'm not here for 'support" it's aibu I've got my big girl pants on - let's stick tp discussing the issue eh, no need to muddy the waters with how you feel about me - I won't lose any sleep about how you feel about my posting stylr or attitude. .

OP posts:
nemoschmemo · 23/01/2015 08:55

bake and pag that already happens! people do include 'pass the word on' messages on their posts! why are you assuming we don't do that?!

OP posts:
Pagwatch · 23/01/2015 09:00

Blimey - you are cross. Confused

If that already happens and people are still getting cross/not getting the message/making you furious with their high and mighty resentment then maybe pack it in?
It isn't making you very happy. But perhaps also look at other schools if it's filled with deeply stupid furious people who lack the ability to pass on a message.
Life is too short.

differentnameforthis · 23/01/2015 09:06

I'm not an 'organiser' or a 'host' I'm not the school secretary! how entitled of you!

Entitled of me? Really!

differentnameforthis · 23/01/2015 09:07

Oh whatever op..I forgot it was one of those AIBU where we all have to agree with you!

YvesJutteau · 23/01/2015 09:14

You don't have to agree with the OP but it would help if you didn't start making up her opinions and then disagreeing with those

"You are the one wanting the control, in wanting every single person to be accessible via a means YOU deem appropriate!"

No she's not. She doesn't really care whether they are accessible. She just doesn't want other people complaining to her that they didn't hear about something that was mentioned on FB.

Lucyccfc · 23/01/2015 09:16

My friends and I tend to use a number of methods when organising lunch/nights out etc. if there are only a few of us (in the UK) meeting up, then we phone or text.

However, Facebook is essential when our friends from around the world are all home in the summer and we want to arrange things. It would be a nightmare having to phone Qatar, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi, Jersey etc and have numerous conversations. There is only 1 of our group in the UK who doesn't have FB,so we text her. The rest of the group know that summer meets are always arranged via FB and if they don't check it, they don't know what's happening.

FB is not the best for everyone, but can be very useful.

Bakeoffcakes · 23/01/2015 09:19

Shock you do sound extremely cross OP.

I think Pag is right as usual just give this whole thing up.

AggressiveBunting · 23/01/2015 09:25

*but if I had to individually text 50 people, I'd not bother as it would take too long - would just go with the DC.

dont you have group text facility? It is great*

Yes, but I'd still have to create the group, wouldn't I? Otherwise if I sent it to everyone on my phone, it would be inappropariate for lots of recipients (i.e. I'm sure my boss doesnt want to come to the park with me). Also, you'd get tonnes of replies as people would think it was directed specifically at them - with a FB profile update it's clearer that it's just an open invite- no rsvp or "cant do today,what about tomorrow" required.

Mrsjayy · 23/01/2015 09:26

My husband is all high and mighty about facebook he drives me nuts with his smuggy face when he says well I don't use social media good for you sunshine ! His work now has a Facebook group for this and that and the husband is all offended because he thinks he is being left out imo he has left himself out. Its fine not to have facebook but there is no need to complain when others use fb.

RunAwayHome · 23/01/2015 09:26

half the people arguing aren't reading the situation properly, or don't realise what kind of events people are talking about.

It's the same sort of thing as with a hobby group I'm in, where people go to the pub afterwards. It's open anyone to come. Some do regularly, some occasionally, some never - for all sorts of reasons. Sometimes the conversation at the pub turns to a film/play/event and people decide that it might be fun to go as a group, and whoever is there says they want to join or not. Sometimes people who are there happen to remember a few others that they know well and asks them if they want to come too, but not always. The event happens, and some people who might have liked to come perhaps didn't know about it. But it's not a big deal; they could have come to the pub if they wanted, and become part of that group who tends to organise things together, or not. It's nothing official, it's not organised 'for' the group in any way, but at the same time, it's more inclusive than some things because it's not just a couple of people arranging it with their own friends - it's being open to anyone who happened to be there that night and wanted to come, even if they weren't normally part of stuff like that. They just had to make the choice to go to the pub in the first place. There are valid reasons why people don't want to or can't come out afterwards some weeks, and that's fine. But it's not deliberately excluding them because someone doesn't then find ways to extend the information that we're going to a film on Friday to all 80 members of the group. It just happens that those who were there became part of the plans.

And FB interactions can be very much like that. They're open if people choose to join in, and you can include people you wouldn't really know or invite otherwise, because they happen to be there.

And if people choose not to join in, totally up to them - but the point the OP was making is that some people get very snippy about the fact that they don't hear about stuff, whilst at the same time, being incredibly condescending about it. They're the people that are being complained about. The ones who say "how can you stand FB with all the trivial stuff and posts of people's dinners and bragging and so on; I'd prefer to enjoy my life by talking to people for real" - and then find that there might be a snippet of news from an old friend that people are talking about, etc, and get cross that other people know this/talk about it. It's their attitude that is the problem - as if the rest of us actually enjoy looking at photos of other people's dinner, because they assume that that is what is on FB since it's a sort of media stereotype (when actually, if you choose your friends well, and learn to block what you don't want, you only have to see the sorts of things you want to see, from the people you want to see them from! It's a lazy criticism from someone who doesn't know how to do that, or doesn't have friends who post anything interesting).

They're the ones who are being complained about - the ones who genuinely feel superior to others for not being on FB, yet at the same time, moan about not hearing about stuff.

Can't be online/can't afford it etc and feeling excluded - yes, fair enough, and maybe this can be helped
Choose not to be on, and don't care - fine
Choose not to be on, feel you might be missing, but realise that's what happens and it's nothing deliberate - fine
Choose not to be on, tell people who are that they're superficial and shallow because they are, and then moan when you don't hear about something - not so fine, and that's the group that the OP is talking about

YvesJutteau · 23/01/2015 09:27

Given that posters on here, who aren't even involved, have told the OP that it's "lazy organising" for her not to put notes in book bags every time she fancies going to soft play, it doesn't seem implausible that she's coming across deeply stupid furious people IRL.

Bakeoffcakes · 23/01/2015 09:33

Yves, one person has said that, and they hadnt read the thread properly.

differentnameforthis · 23/01/2015 09:39

YvesJutteau She does...she wants everyone to be contactable via fb groups, and she isn't going to bother communicating with those who aren't...sounds pretty controlling to me.

differentnameforthis · 23/01/2015 09:41

YvesJutteau To be fair, op is making this sound like way more than a visit to soft play!

Sugarfreeriot · 23/01/2015 09:42

Only on mumsnet.

kellywellykingkong · 23/01/2015 09:42

differentname, stop flogging that dead horse, the OP says:

"I know a few people like this. Turn their noses up at facebook (fine, their choice)"

What she's saying is don't then complain about other people using it!

Pag - I've never seen you be goady before, but goady is what you're being in your last post.

Pag: You should do this.

Op: We already do that!

Pag: Oh look at you all cross!! Wow you're really worked up, I think you should take your DC out of school.

ScrambledSmegs · 23/01/2015 09:56

Oh, my husband is one of these people. It's become his 'thing' so he can't give in and get FB now, even though he misses out on loads of stuff and resents it hugely. He uses mine though Hmm.

Poor OP, you didn't come across as angry to me, just exasperated with having to repeat yourself all the way through this thread. Posting online is a strange one, half the time I think I've been absofrickinglutely hilarious and then someone responds to me in complete seriousness and I realise I'm not half as funny in real life as in my own head Sad. It's all down to interpretation and needing better jokes.

sanquhar · 23/01/2015 09:56

Nemo is not the school's events organiser, fgs!

Why the hell should she:
collect 60+ mobile numbers
collect 60+ email addresses
Spend her money on group texts
Print off notes for book bags
Spend her time on contacting anyone at all

all because some whingers don't want to connect themselves to the school parents online, and accessible to all, grapevine?

I've missed stuff because I didn't check the school website, should I phone the beleaguered school Secretary and have a go at her for not informing me personally?

Pagwatch · 23/01/2015 09:58

Eh what?

I haven't a clue what you are talking about kellywelly.

I haven't been the slightest bit rude to the op . My comments were entirely well meant. It does seem to be a huge issue that is upsetting the op rather than being pleasurable. And if people are being told to pass messages along and they are not getting to everyone and she is dealing with the fak then it does sound like she is dealing with some pretty stupid people - another reason to get out of the forefront of these events.

Don't layer a tone onto my posts that wasn't there. If I want to be rude or have a go and the op I don't do it in a passive aggressive way. I would say so.

You have misread me and misrepresented me.

Pagwatch · 23/01/2015 10:03

There are also half a dozen people laying into the op and half a dozen sticking up for her. I don't know why you singled out my 'fucking hell, it's driving you bonkers , get out now' post was the one you singled out.

I'm clearly not catching the fury necessary to post on here.

Maybe we should all go out and have a cup of calm the fuck down. I'll Facebook you the details.
Grin