If I say Mumsnet attracts a certain type of person?

[poptothetop]

Let me start of by saying that I've been on quite a few other forums and the opinion/views of them are a lot different/ diverse.

Things most MN members seem to agree on:

Ear piercing views

Schooling views

Baby showers (haven't actually come across a MNetter who hasn't labelled them grabby).

If I were to mention these subjects elsewhere, the comments would be a lot more diverse and lenient.

So, AIBU to say Mumsnet attracts a certain type of person (overall)?

Whether that's because of social class or personality, I can't decide. It's interesting to see what you all think

Me too DadOnIce absolutely!

I do shop in Waitrose, but only because dd has a student job there and I get 15% discount

I agree that Mn attracts a particular sort of person:

Intelligent, funny, caring, supportive, involved, wise, generous - I could go on.

I love MN and the people here.

The most MC people I know tend to call their children things like James, Robert, Henry, Michael. Ptolemy and Xavier are terribly try hard to me.

That's the thing usual

The area I live in highest percentage of lone parent households with dependent children in the country, it has one of the highest rates of teen pregnancy in the country and one of the highest rates of child poverty.

Yet when I read most of the spelling and grammar on local facebook groups, I know that no matter how much those people were crying out for help and advice, the spelling and grammar wankers would hound them off here quicker than you could slam a door.

What leopard spice said.....yes op agree

It completely attracts a certain type of poster. Initially when first pregnant and wondering what the actual fuck to do, there's a plethora of sites out there offering information. Over time (of which we must all have plenty to even be here) and the baby fuzz leaves, it's nice to have a site where proper words, spelling and grammar is used most of the time - I bloody hate text speak and stupid made-up names (and I like swearing). Lots of people feel the same. Lots of people here. It's fun.

Not everyone is the same

SDTG you forgot trolls

Another seemingly unifying trait of MNetters is the fact that they all have at least one narc relative.

it's amazing how a thread can suddenly turn into a geography, science, maths or history discussion like that and get very detailed.

I LOVE this about MN (York Slingshot springs to mind, that was a fascinating thread that all came about because someone had dug their garden).

It has had zero impact as I've no idea what class I am, whether my friends are the same or give a shit either

EatShit, that makes no sense. Whether or not you are personally aware of what social class you are, surely you are aware that a working-class child in the UK is very unlikely to lead a life similar to an upper-class one?

The life expectancy of the average person in London's most affluent areas is 25 years more than the average person in the poorest. Do you think that the working class is full of junk-munching, chain-smoking couch potatoes, while the upper classes live on teetotal tofu, mindfulness and daily tennis?

Yorick Slingshot you stupid phone.

I'm only on page 2 so don't know if anyone else has mentioned it, but there are soo many people on here with 6 kids.

I've never been to waitrose we do have a booths nearby though (that I frequent as you get a free brew with a booths card ).

I'm more outspoken and unreserved in RL than on MN.
MN brings out my softer side

I spent my childhood, teens and twenties abroad so the comments regarding British class, middle, lower etc make zero impact (but more often than not, very entertaining to read!)

My first ever experience was with NetMums when I was PG with DD1. I hated all the hunning and glitter and abbreviations etc. I never understood on the forums at all - it was all a mystery to me and way too much like hard work.

I discovered MN several years later and thought it was great.

I think typing in proper sentences is a massive bonus.

"hun" is a very working class word here in West London (though I don't use it myself, I will not pierce anyone's ears before 13, I shop everywhere, and the local school is good for me)

The benefits thing makes me laugh. I could give you about ten examples of people I have known to be claiming benefits dishonestly. On here though that couldn't possibly happen. I think it is to do with some of the places I have lived.

I haven't RTFT

For me what makes MN stand out is that MNers are INTELLIGENT and we THINK. Nothing to do with class / job / level of education.

And we write in full sentences. even if they are started with a preposition

Everything else is up for grabs. I say up, another MNer will say down. I say black, another MNer will say white. I say toilet brush, another MNer will say you dirty fucking cow

"SDTG you forgot trolls"

That's very true, Worra - I blame my ageing brain cell!

I would say class has been the biggest thing i have noticed about society every single day since i was a child. it was constantly referred to all thru my growing up. My parents are working class and i grew up in a MC area. it honestly was like living in a foreign country. At home people spoke differently, had different job and opinions from everyone at school/work. It was like being bilingual and living in a different culture and having to translate it.

All my WC family constantly referred to me as posh and all my MC peers thought i was incredibly common. They found it quite hilarious my dad did a manual job and spoke cockney. Even teachers teased me and called me 'nouveau riche', arriviste etc. I was the only kid with my ears pierced wearing designer track suits and Ravel patent shoes in a class of Beneton and Clarks wearing MC children who ate houmous (which was unheard of in the 80s!). The school mums talk about it all the time. It was a big issue in all the jobs i have had (arts, education and charities).

It was very noticeable when at Uni too. I find it so odd when people say they have no idea what class they are and that it doesn't matter. from a socially cultural point of view it is massive in this country. I can only assume it doesn't notice if everyone around you is exactly the same.

I haven't posted on Netmums. Is that the site with pretty pregnancy trackers? Or maybe Bounty?

I like the fresh understated look on here instead. Regardless of class or pov.