To be irritated by the UK-centric assumptions on here

[saraclara]

Many posters here seem blissfully ignorant of the fact that the internet is a worldwide thing. Yes, this site is based in the UK, but that should be as far as it goes. Clearly there's somewhat of a UK focus which is fine up to a point. But...

Every second thread seems to end up with someone in the covid police trying to threadjack it because a hapless poster from a country that's not in lockdown, posts about being on holiday/vacation or visiting relatives, or doing something else that's not allowed here at the moment. Why do the threadjackers assume that everyone on here is British?

Seriously, the insularity here is really weird. I've not seen it on any other forum. I belong to two based in the US, but no-one assumes that posters on them must all be American.

@SparkysMagicPiano if the fact you don’t live in the UK is relevant to the conversation, then mention it. If it isn’t, then don’t. Not sure why this is so difficult to understand?

Your example of iPlayer is a perfect example of missing the point. Unless you say you’re in France up front - then of course people will assume that you’re in the UK and have access to everything people in the UK do. It doesn’t matter if you’re Polish in the UK - that’s where you are. You’re in France so differences will apply.

Covid has made people particularly persnickety about things to be sure, but it wouldn’t be Mumsnet without an OP being picked apart for spelling and grammar and paragraphs etc. when all they want is opinions on Asda school uniforms!

OP:

Most of us are in the UK. How silly not to notice that.

@Janegrey333

OP:

Most of us are in the UK. How silly not to notice that.

And where exactly have I indicated that I'm not aware of that?

Creating an AIBU like this has been eye opening. And this is only a 'random thought' AIBU.
How anyone posting an AIBU about something emotional that really matters can bear it, I don't know. It feels like a high percentage of people didn't read the OP properly, another proportion decided they wanted to answer a different question entirely, and others found something in it that was never there. If someone's emotional or stressed about a situation, that must be so difficult to cope with. And I haven't even mentioned the particularly rude posters.

What I'm taking away from this experience, is that I really must make sure that I post empathetically on others' AIBU threads, and make sure I read and fully comprehend what their question is. And be a better poster.

I've also learned that it's probably not wise to post on this branch if I'm actually stressed or upset about something (rather than just mildly irritated).

I think you're in danger of learning the wrong lessons.

When people are emotional and upset it usually shows through their wording. That's how the board works.

When people post a random thought it's much more likely to provoke irriation and a desire to put you back in your box. And people hate being told off.

post an AIBU about a real thing that is really bothering or distressing you and you will get really different responses.

It's a UK site with the majority of posters being from the UK. Why wouldn't we make UK centric assumptions? Most other forums seem to be dominated by Americans, but no one cares about that. If it's relevant to the post, it isn't difficult to state your location. It's a simple solution.

@SparkysMagicPiano if the fact you don’t live in the UK is relevant to the conversation, then mention it. If it isn’t, then don’t. Not sure why this is so difficult to understand?

No, it isn't difficult to understand.

Not sure I'm the one missing the point here.

If I say that I don't have access to iPlayer that should be enough information. It illustrates the OP's point perfectly that many people couldn't just take this statement at face value.

I am trying to work out the non issue of this superfluous thread.

Are we concerned that this British platform is not international enough?

Or should we not have the majority of Brits on a British website? Should this be a British ex pats website etc etc?

I am perplexed by the non issue as this is a British website mostly for British mums just as a French or Latin American or any other website hosted elsewhere would tend to attract and be specifically (initially at least) designed for a particular demographic.

@SparkysMagicPiano

Your example of iPlayer is a perfect example of missing the point. Unless you say you’re in France up front - then of course people will assume that you’re in the UK and have access to everything people in the UK do. It doesn’t matter if you’re Polish in the UK - that’s where you are. You’re in France so differences will apply

That was my second paragraph.

Yes people can take that at face value, but in conversation, someone you don’t know well, aka another poster, might not be able to answer your exact question but might say ‘I just checked and it’s up on iplayer already’.

Maybe you need Quora or something if the only thing you want from a forum is an answer to your question.

“I am trying to work out the non issue of this superfluous thread.”

I hear you. It just won’t go away!

@saraclara

Janegrey333
OP:

Most of us are in the UK. How silly not to notice that.
And where exactly have I indicated that I'm not aware of that?

That is not the point. The point is that you have reached this point in the thread and you are still trying to make your point. Good grief. 🙄

This. Is. The. UK.

We tend to have a UK perspective. Weirdly.

I’m in some American forums and people in the forums always assume everyone’s American. That doesn’t bother me because the sites are based there. I have no idea why this bothers you.

If you want to talk about non UK stuff on a UK site, then it’s not hard to say where you are.

"I’m in some American forums and people in the forums always assume everyone’s American."

Even on international things like Quora or IMDB.

[quote MustardMitt]@SparkysMagicPiano if the fact you don’t live in the UK is relevant to the conversation, then mention it. If it isn’t, then don’t. Not sure why this is so difficult to understand?

Your example of iPlayer is a perfect example of missing the point. Unless you say you’re in France up front - then of course people will assume that you’re in the UK and have access to everything people in the UK do. It doesn’t matter if you’re Polish in the UK - that’s where you are. You’re in France so differences will apply.

Covid has made people particularly persnickety about things to be sure, but it wouldn’t be Mumsnet without an OP being picked apart for spelling and grammar and paragraphs etc. when all they want is opinions on Asda school uniforms![/quote]
Why would she have to explain why she doesn’t have access to iplayer? It’s totally irrelevant why - if someone says “I don’t have access to I player” then they don’t.

Same if they say “This incident happened while I had the kids in the park today on half term”. It doesn’t need 55 people piping up that it’s not half term yet when clearly it is in some places.

Where someone lives isn’t always relevant and there’s no need for people to make it so just because they’re on a troll hunting mission every time they open a thread.

She shouldn’t have to. But in that example, like I said, someone will probably pop up and try and be helpful by saying iplayer has it on there.

Totally fine if you don’t want to just be clear what’s an option and what’s not. But this is a forum where people converse with one another, google would probably have given the information required.

Of course no one needs to tell anyone what country they reside in (or not) but this is a UK based website called Mumsnet so back to my original point, it’s not unreasonable for people to make that assumption.

It is of course ridiculous that some posters will pick these points to shreds for their own amusement, but another assumption I personally make is that most are happy to roll their eyes as they like the community aspect you don’t get with a quick google!

I'm sorry OP but we'll have non of that talk about other places this is a local internet forum for local people.

Seriously though on a UK based site of course people will assume that posters are UK based.

Also I think you have to remember that you can have an OP post very clearly a piece of information & someone always comes along and tells them off. I've had it with posts over done, which is why read the thread is a well none phrase on here.

It’s a British site with predominately British posters. If it’s relevant to mention the fact you’re in a different country then do so.

I joined Mumsnet BECAUSE it is UK-centric and I've been living overseas for bloody ages and miss the UK. It's been long enough, though, that some of it now makes little sense (the way you seem to have to hand kids over to their teachers and collect them, for example, or the craziness of the online shopping slot) but that makes it more interesting if bonkers. Keep it up!

Apart from this British site are there any alternatives that are also British with a similar mix of topics and British community feel including refreshing overseas participants to add an international dimension? I tried NetMums but I believe it has a different look feel as possibly different demographics?

ResIpsa I find netmums is too kind & not as realistic as MN. They will tell people they are right & don't ever seem to disagree.
Which I don't think is how functional adult relation/friend ships should work. Sometimes you need to be told don't be a drama llama!

I joined Mumsnet BECAUSE it is UK-centric and I've been living overseas for bloody ages and miss the UK.

Not British, but lived in the UK for 15 years and now it is a way of keeping in touch, as well as being addictive.

Netmums have got a better sense of humour overall...they’re more down to earth, realistic and less judgemental than all the perfect parents with a stick up their arse on here. True story.