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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why do people do a search to check on a poster's history?

86 replies

honeyfull · 21/04/2017 22:08

I just don't get it. I enjoy reading and sometimes contributing, but honestly that is stalking and girding the loins for a throwback on a thread.

I have never done it. I mean that honestly. Why would I?

OP posts:
CMamaof4 · 21/04/2017 22:10

Totally agree.

LaContessaDiPlump · 21/04/2017 22:12

If it's flagging up an internal troll alert, then a quick check can be useful. I generally try to make helpful contributions on threads and they are sometimes a bit harrowing; fucked if I'm going to go through that for a bloody troll.

HateSummer · 21/04/2017 22:12

Yeah i d

HateSummer · 21/04/2017 22:13

I wouldn't have the time to do it, but sometimes someone might sound a bit off and it's a good way to check if they're telling the truth or porkies.

StillStayingClassySanDiego · 21/04/2017 22:13

Each to their own.

It's a facility there to use, all above board so why not?

Banchan · 21/04/2017 22:13

I've only done it once - basically to see if she was always a horrible person/troll when she posted.

Orlantina · 21/04/2017 22:14

If a story sounds a bit made unbelievable and it's a first OP, then my trolldar gets raised.

Nanny0gg · 21/04/2017 22:14

Sometimes it can give useful information if you're trying to give helpful advice.

bibbitybobbityyhat · 21/04/2017 22:14

What does "girding the loins for a throwback on a thread" mean?

Original poster
honeyfull · 21/04/2017 22:16

Anyone who is clever enough to troll and make up things would surely name change constantly though?

Anyway from my perspective, I take it as I see it. If I think it's ridiculous or anything, I step away. Not my job to judge really.

OP posts:
hmcAsWas · 21/04/2017 22:19

Trolls aren't clever!

FlaviaAlbia · 21/04/2017 22:21

It's a hand way to not waste time on a troll or warn people that they're being used to get some bloke off.. Take the sock fetish troll that pops up in style and beauty every so often, when there's a comment that pings on your troll radar a quick check of the posters previous posts usually confirms it as they can fly under the radar for a bit but usually only post about one thing...

ShamefulDodger · 21/04/2017 22:21

I don't tend to rally but I can understand why some do.

It can save you getting over invested on a thread (I'm thinking of a poster people used to avoid replying to after she posted multiple posts about her frankly awful relationship and parenting (more the Dad) but ignored all advice, on every thread)

If it's a bit Hmm looking you cod check to see if it's a first post, that poster was actually ten years younger and a different sex two days ago etc.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 21/04/2017 22:22

Sometimes I reply to an OP and get an inkling i've spoken to them before so have a quick nosey to check if my suspicions are correct.

Also if it's something I suspect of hairyhandedness I'll check before I report.

ActuallyThatsSUPREMECommander · 21/04/2017 22:22

On one memorable occasion I thought "no woman has ever done the thing you say you've done "madam"!" and advanced searched to find that the poster had indeed regendered himself without name changing and was a flagrant MRA troll.

Sometimes a poster will post saying "should I have another baby? I know my house is a bit small but I really want one" and an AS by posters who dimly remember the name will reveal the long list of threads where she's been talking about her DP's multiple infidelity, coke habit and threats of violence, which is quite handy to know before the thread fills up with stuff about the lovely smell of newborn babies' fluffy heads.

corythatwas · 21/04/2017 22:23

Not all trolls are clever.

I have used it occasionally, either because I half seemed to remember inconsistencies with previous information given by the poster or to see if a poster had form for being that nasty. Don't tend to mention it on the thread, but it does sometimes give an idea of whether to take posts at face value.

It's not stalking to be a bit cautious about people you know nothing about. In RL if you noticed that someone was telling you different stories at different times, wouldn't you want to be a little circumspect?

Original poster
honeyfull · 21/04/2017 22:24

I am baffled why people who might post "dodgy" threads would not NC.

So QED, posters who post dodgy threads are stupid and leave a history.

OP posts:
FrenchLavender · 21/04/2017 22:25

I do it all the time, usually when I think I recognize a poster from a previous thread and they are back, telling a new story that doesnt quite add up with what they've previously said.

I don't see why it bothers you that people might make use of the advance search function. I'm more concerned that some posters lie and talk deluded shit and waste everyone's else's time asking for opinions about things that aren't true.

ScarlettFreestone · 21/04/2017 22:25

Oh come on Honey it's disingenuous to say it's not your job to judge.

Everyone judges, all the time. We make hundreds of decisions based on split second judgements every day.

Ironically the very tone of your OP is pretty judgmental.

I agree with StayingClassy the facility is there for all to use. If it's "not your job to judge" why do you care?

Original poster
honeyfull · 21/04/2017 22:29

Scarlett.

No problem. Each to their own views.

I know instinctively if an OP is dodgy after a few posts. Maybe I do judge subliminally, but I would never ever check out someone's history.

But just wondered why others might do it.

OP posts:
Original poster
honeyfull · 21/04/2017 22:33

My posting history is being looked at now I suppose. I have that sixth sense. LOL.

I don't care about me being looked at on the board, but when the lookup is used to add to a thread.... I find that bizarre. Just move off. Thanks.

OP posts:
StillStayingClassySanDiego · 21/04/2017 22:36

Have you been as'd and had it used against you OP?

SoupDragon · 21/04/2017 22:39

Anyone who is clever enough to troll and make up things would surely name change constantly though?

Yes, and a posting history that has only that suspect thread in it is just as telling as one that doesn't add up. Yes, they might just be a name changer but often they are not.

hmcAsWas · 21/04/2017 22:40

Actually trolls often do name change - which is why "welcome to mumsnet" is a popular refrain on odd or provocative threads which have been started by someone with no posting history.

There was a thread earlier this week supposedly by a poster who was concerned because her dd who had a 'masculine face' was considering a short hairstyle. Poster was purportedly concerned that if her dd went ahead with the hair style then people might think she was trans Hmm. This scenario did have a strong whiff of bullshit about it, and hen checking on poster she didn't have any posting history (Mn HQ swiftly deleted the thread because it was a previously banned poster)

Original poster
honeyfull · 21/04/2017 22:40

StillStayingClassySanDiego

I have no idea what "as'd" means sorry about that.

But i I have never had a bad experience here. SO FAR!

OP posts: