Can we sort something out once and for all?

[Nextphonewontbesamsung]

You are never being unreasonable to ask a question about more or less anything at all on the fountain of all knowledge that is Mumsnet. Mumsnet usually has an answer for everything, it is an amazing resource and the archive is gargantuan. So when you say "Am I being unreasonable to ask about ..." the answer is always going to be Yanbu, feel free to ask.

The AIBU topic is for those times when something has happened, or something is happening, or something is about to happen that you have an opinion on and you're not sure if your opinion is reasonable or not. It has a sort of check yourself function - you are gathering opinions and trying to work out if you are being unreasonable.

It isn't a place to ask "what are you reading?" or "how big was your second baby compared to your first?" or "can I ask for advice on [insert topic here]. You can ask those questions in Chat or the relevant topic (Adult Fiction, for example).

AIBU is not the only place on Mumsnet!

It makes the site look a bit silly to outsiders, imo. Also, AIBU for some reason has a reputation where it's alright to post with no holds barred. So perfectly reasonable conversations and topics can become a right old bunfight just because people have become used to dropping in their fuck witted so-called "straight talking" points and excusing them with "well this is AIBU after all".

A quick glance at the AIBU list of conversations just now shows at least 10% of them, maybe more, don't belong in the topic. There is an entire topic on low carbing, for example, with hundreds of threads in there.

AIBU to think the site would be massively improved if people put just a little more thought into what they are actually asking and where they are asking it?

YABU. People can post what they want where they want.

Agree @Rowennaravenclaw

Far too many sections and sub sections.

Today in AIBU

"Am I being unreasonable to ask what it's like to have a famous dh?" - is there a reason that couldn't be in Chat?

I really do think there are very many Mnetters who never venture beyond AIBU.

Perhaps Admin should move posts appropriately then that may prompt people searching around mumsnet more instead of gravitating to AIBU?

I agree but am aware that most are 'posting for traffic' so turn a blind eye to it.

I would add Baby Names to your list Rowennaravenclaw

You won't stop people posting threads about things inappropriate for AIBU, simply because it gets the most traffic.

I think people are going to dredge the bottom of the subject barrel for a while, just so they can use the awful Vote thingy. Hopefully it will go away and the Tech Team find the time to fix something that has been broken for the last eighteen months (Advanced Search) before introducing any more unwanted 'improvements'.

AIBU is a joke topic. Better name for it was suggested ages ago - 'Petty Gripes'. I can't take it seriously.

Agree with Rowenaravenclaw - 5 boards would do it.

I sometimes look at other boards but nothing much happening.

MNHQ are trying to reduce the number of boards. MichaelMumsnet posts at the top of boards they are thinking of merging to ask for opinions.

I think we have managed to save the Teenagers board from getting absorbed into Parenting thankfully.

I like the variety on AIBU so have no problem with it. I have posted about 10 times on other boards, and had between a zero and a handful of responses. Posted the same things on AIBU and had 5 pages of responses. Like most people, mumsnet is a very tiny part of my life and I will use it in whatever way serves me best! It’s not an exclusive club, I hate the high horse ‘why is this post on AIBU?’ posts!

I agree with the previous poster about having far far fewer boards. Maybe there should be an AIBU and then a separate ‘What are your thoughts on...’ thread that isn’t for dilemmas as such but just opinions on general things. Or is that what ‘Chat’ is meant to be?? Maybe I will go and look at that now..

Anyway, YABU, in my opinion!

YANBU. I come here for people’s dramas, not to see what people are having for tea!

I love the variety - from the shallow to the deep, from the trivial to the serious - all are welcome in my eyes. Life isnt just about drama, its also about the minutiae.