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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to skip threads with really long first posts?

76 replies

Sexisthairdressers · 02/10/2023 00:42

Just get to the point, OPs!

OP posts:
ButWhatAboutTheBees · 02/10/2023 00:43

Same

I know there's a lot of info to share to avoid drip feeds

But I struggle reading long first posts

CalishataFolkart · 02/10/2023 00:56

I don’t mind an unapologetic long first post, but I always have a quick scroll down if they say, “I’ll try and keep this short,” or, “Anyway, long story short,” because it is usually not. At that point I know it’s going to be quite a lot of waffle.

DinnaeFashYersel · 02/10/2023 01:00

I skip them too

Especially when they don't use paragraphs or even sentences.

ThinWomansBrain · 02/10/2023 01:05

depends how well written they are; I'm not looking for high literary excellence, but the basics of sentences, paragraphs...

AND NO "3 friends, A, B and C, lets call them Jane, Mary and Chloe...."

Monty27 · 02/10/2023 01:07

Bullet points for me not a long drawn out confusing essay please

TheMurderousGoose · 02/10/2023 01:08

Long posts should all have a TLDR at the end.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/10/2023 01:09

Wall of text, no paragraphs or punctuation, an inability to define who is who, all bad signs. I will make an attempt if the OP is very distressed but everyone else can bugger off.

EBearhug · 02/10/2023 01:19

Does it matter? It not like anyone can read every single thread here, even if they spent every waking moment on it and tried cutting out sleep. So we are all making decisions about which to read or ignore. Post length is just another way of doing so.

ilovesooty · 02/10/2023 01:21

No one is going to know if a particular post is read or skipped by any specific poster anyway.

FridaySpark · 02/10/2023 01:23

Why would it be unreasonable? It's just a forum, you can read or not read any post. Confused

EBearhug · 02/10/2023 01:26

ilovesooty · 02/10/2023 01:21

No one is going to know if a particular post is read or skipped by any specific poster anyway.

I dunno, in long threads, it can be quite clear a poster hasn't read posts. Cancel the cheque and all that.

But obviously we don't know who has not read, nor who has read but not posted, and I'm guessing more people don't read any given thread than do.

AnImaginaryCat · 02/10/2023 01:47

No. As already said you can choose if you read or not. No always put off by ling posts if there's detail in them - rambling posts or no paragraph posts I tend to hit the back button before I've got to the end of it.

Though I'd would say you are unreasonable if you are a poster who gives out about "drip feeding'.

vodkaredbullgirl · 02/10/2023 01:53

Yes I skim over them, then see if they reply again.

SandyY2K · 02/10/2023 02:14

I agree with you.

The lack of paragraphs and punctuation is the worst.

I won't spend my time reading a wall of text. Its too hard on the eyes and you lose track of where you're up to. Being on your phone is no excuse for that either. I manage just fine.

If it was long (not too long) with paragraphs, then I might give it a go.

MrsTerryPratchett · 02/10/2023 02:32

AnImaginaryCat · 02/10/2023 01:47

No. As already said you can choose if you read or not. No always put off by ling posts if there's detail in them - rambling posts or no paragraph posts I tend to hit the back button before I've got to the end of it.

Though I'd would say you are unreasonable if you are a poster who gives out about "drip feeding'.

This as well. There's wall of text with loads of detail, OP is asked questions, answers. Then gets, "you drip fed". No, you can't do everything.

iPreferBooks · 02/10/2023 02:45

Same here! I'm dyslexic so that's partly one of my reasons as its so much effort, particularly long posts (even worse if no paragraphs).

I also don't bother reading threads over a certain amount pages if OP hasn't replied.

Robotalkingrubbish · 02/10/2023 02:46

There are no rules about it being compulsory to read any posts. I just dib in and out. I thought that’s what everyone does.

Monty27 · 02/10/2023 02:57

The topic and thread title may invite people to read. But if the post is too long and confusing there won't be as many readers prepared to comment, listen, give advice, and so on. That's the point of starting a thread isn't it?
I agree with you OP and others.

EggTheParrot · 02/10/2023 02:59

It's even worse when the second poster quotes the entire first post!

Mothership4two · 02/10/2023 03:12

Same expecially if one very long paragraph

FatherJackHackettsUnderpantsHamper · 02/10/2023 03:23

It's even worse when the second poster quotes the entire first post!

That irritates me sooooo much.

Also, even if it's quite a very short first post, giving all the salient details, you still get people who clearly didn't bother to read any more than the title:

"I have three children, aged 17, 15 and 14 who never do a thing to help around the house. AIBU to think that they could at least lay the table occasionally or bring dirty cups down from their rooms? My DH says I'm over-reacting and thinks that I should do it all myself."

How many children do you have and how old are they? If they're toddlers, you can hardly expect them to tidy up.

Are you married, OP? What does your DH say, if so?

It depends what kind of help you're expecting - are you asking them to spend hours each week on chores?

Haven't RTFT, but if you find you keep running short of cups, John Lewis have some beautiful ones on sale this week.

GreenWheat · 02/10/2023 03:53

Oh god, yes. I immediately skip any posts that start with "sorry it's a long one", "buckle up" (or some other such self indulgent variant), or worst of all, ones referring to Person A, Person B and Person C.

RantyAnty · 02/10/2023 03:59

Yes, at least make paragraphs and not ramble on with things that don't matter at all.

spitefulandbadgrammar · 02/10/2023 04:31

I glance to see whether the thread has plenty of pages already, which indicates there’s something juicy, bunfighty or worthwhile in the giant rambling wall of text, and whether the OP has further posts in the thread. Otherwise I don’t bother.

ImustLearn2Cook · 02/10/2023 04:39

I think the overuse of the ‘drip feed’ accusation has resulted in far too many loooooooong OP’s.

It’s annoying. I either skip them or skim read them (if written with sentences and paragraphs).