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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder if some posters realise some people lie on threads?

246 replies

jennymanara · 22/08/2019 19:42

So when people say how much they earn, how much they spend on a holiday, how handsome their DH is, do you realise that some people will not be truthful?
I ask because I see comments all the time about how well-off most MN are. I have been to meet ups, and most MN are pretty ordinary women. Lovely, funny and kind, but not super wealthy with amazing homes and husbands, just ordinary. Of course there will be some women on MN who are very well-off but they are not the norm here.

OP posts:
mbosnz · 22/08/2019 19:55

DH earns a good wage on paper, but we are both pants with money. DH is handsome as, and amazing in my eyes. How much we spend on a holiday? Dunno.

I think perhaps there's a lot of subjectivity? I'm bloody ordinary. I actually feel pretty inadequate in here.

StoneofDestiny · 22/08/2019 19:59

Some posters are men!

HappyParent2000 · 22/08/2019 20:00

Wait what?

Passthecherrycoke · 22/08/2019 20:00

It’s also the fact that sometimes people are just taking about a moment in their lives. I’ve spent £10k On holidays, I’ve gone years without one. I earn a lot but I’m totally ordinary. Things change and situations change and you can’t take one or two posts as a view of a posters entire life.

However, I’ve been on forums where there are repetitive threads - for example, tearing apart posters who don’t cook from scratch because it’s so cheap and easy. Or, tearing to shreds parenTs who aren’t religious having christenings

Over 20 years I’ve met many of those posters and there were absolutely not that militant IRl and would never have challenged someone in real life for making those choices. I recall one even acting as god mother to Non religious parents. It’s different when it’s your friend and not a stranger on the internet Grin

So alll in all, take it with a pinch of salt

Iwantacookie · 22/08/2019 20:01

I'm quite gullible and probably believe 99% of posts.
I can never spot a troll either.

OtraCosaMariposa · 22/08/2019 20:02

Of course people lie. But how would you tell someone was "super wealthy" from meeting them in that situation? Wealthiest person I knew was a mum from playgroup who was married to a footballer. She wore very ordinary clothes, drove a battered old VW Golf and was great company.

timshelthechoice · 22/08/2019 20:04

So when people say how much they earn, how much they spend on a holiday, how handsome their DH is, do you realise that some people will not be truthful?

And the weight, height, measurements ones. They're hilarious!

HeyMonkey · 22/08/2019 20:14

Ha! I posted earlier that I think my DP is gorgeous. I think he is!

Maybe some people would disagree. He looks like a big swarthy pirate. Very aware some people wouldn't be keen.

PortiaCastis · 22/08/2019 20:15

Just take everything with a pinch of salt, yes I could say I earn thousands reside in a mansion am a size 6 and am really beautiful but yep that's not true. I thought that thread about post your measurements was pushing it as nobody was going to say I'm a stick insect or I'm Mrs Blobby were they, and it's most peculiar how people are rushing to say how much they earn as I think well that's nobody's business but mine so I'm not entering an internet I earn considerably more than you competition. Some folk overshare and that's not safe

Basketofkittens · 22/08/2019 20:18

People lie on the internet constantly. I don’t believe anything.

which1 · 22/08/2019 20:18

I think the majority are v well off here. Most seem to have high flying jobs, lawyers, banking, accountants, solicitors, senior management in the City etc.

KurriKurri · 22/08/2019 20:19

Everything I post is a lie.
Including that.
And that.

FatAndFurious7 · 22/08/2019 20:21

Sometimes it's about who is answering what post though. Chances are that those who are very well off will gravitate to salary based discussions, those who are well travelled will join in the chat about holidays, people who think their DP is an Adonis will weigh in on a topic about looks.. it's just law of averages really. Probably makes it seem like everyone is rich or everyone is slim but the truth is the rest of us just dont want to comment as we dont want to lie or aren't as confident with our answers.

Kaykay06 · 22/08/2019 20:21

Course people do, not all but a good few I bet but so what
Not like I take anything said on here as gospel Grin

Ringdonna · 22/08/2019 20:23

There is a lot of rubbish spouted on here, it is very easy just to say anything. Lots of men on here who pretend to be women I think. I just use MN for entertainment and would never post a real life problem.

SoyDora · 22/08/2019 20:24

Of course people lie on threads. But I don’t think the fact that you have met ‘normal’ Mumsnetters proves that point. Unless you think the Mumsnetters you met are the ones lying on threads?

EntirelyAnonymised · 22/08/2019 20:24

99% of MN is fantasists, embellishers, goady fuckers and gobshites.

managedmis · 22/08/2019 20:25

What entirely said

WyfOfBathe · 22/08/2019 20:28

People do lie, but I think it's also selection bias. A lot of people won't want to admit, even online, that they earn a low wage, can't afford to go on holiday, etc so the people who do comment are the richer ones.

Happygilmorelove · 22/08/2019 20:30

There are many many times when I've suspected people are lying on here. Especially to prove points. Such as somebody gives an opinion on a subject..another poster disagrees and pipes up with "actually I'm an expert on that subject as I've a PhD in it" seen that so many times and thought.. hmm that's convenient. So so many "high earners" here too. I mean, you have to try and suspend your disbelief to a certain extent, otherwise you wouldn't enjoy the site, but yeah if you believe everything you read on here you must be pretty naive.

ButtercupGirI · 22/08/2019 20:38

A lot of it is subjective but a lot of netmumers seems to score 126 of IQ and dont have GCSEs.

timshelthechoice · 22/08/2019 20:38

I'm 5ft., 10in., weigh 2st and my measurements are 42, 25, 35. MN: your BMI is massive. Everyone who is this obese will die tomorrow/you should do keto, I haven't eaten carbs since the last Ice Age and I eat a bunch of manufactured crap but at least I'm not as fat as you/LTB and you'll lose the other 2st/Pah, my hamster has better measurements.

noeyedeer · 22/08/2019 20:39

I agree that some lie, more embellish etc. But the wealthiest person I know (has millions) is entirely normal, and if you met him in the pub (very likely) looks like a right scruff, a proper builder. The second wealthiest is lovely, down to earth etc and acts much less 'monied' than several others in our friend group who couldn't hope to match his income. We're not wealthy, but we're comfortable, at the moment, and saving to try to pay off the mortgage in a few years. The most designer item I own is a ted baker dress bought on eBay for £5. I'm also a little over ideal weight (couldn't wear aforementioned dress right now) and my life on Facebook or Instagram probably looks a lot better than it actually is.

Jenala · 22/08/2019 20:41

My favourites are the "how much is your weekly food shop" threads. The amount of people who claim to feed 2 adults, 3 teenagers, a toddler and a dog for £50 a week including meat most nights, lunches out and regular wine... It's amazing. Can only assume these are people who spend £375 a week in Waitrose but think that if the plebs put their minds to it they could easily have a similar lifestyle for less. Or they just don't add up their costs very accurately who knows.

AWitchesHat · 22/08/2019 20:46

But why on earth lie? To strangers on the internet who don’t give two fucks what you earn/ where you live/ what you weigh?
I confess I am very gullible and I bet a load of stuff is made up but why would you bother? Is real life that bad maybe that you have to construct a fantasy? Sort of escapism?