To ask, why are users of Mumsnet referred to as vipers?

[ManchesterBeatrice]

I see this often, is there a reason in? Always wonder!

Lots of different opinions so thanks everyone 😊

There are I think some not very well socialised keyboard warriors who have no real understanding of how healthy human interactions or the outside world works. The nature of this being an internet forum will mean there is a higher incidence of such characters.

Some will be home because they are neurodivergent, or have other life limiting health issues, and they may not be very happy, or in fact are struggling and frustrated and may be in ill honour.

I then feel able to be more patient with some of the harsher meaner comments.

I guess vipers sounds a lot more sexy and exciting than bored mums on the Internet

The way I look at is that some posters will have nothing in their lives apart from mothering and have poor self esteem. The only way they can feel good about themselves is by dragging others down, giving them a sense of superiority.

Not limited to those who "have nothing in their lives apart from mothering". Applies to those that don't have children as well.

Strongly agree with your second sentence though.

because most MN users live in England and have to vent their consequent anger and frustration somewhere

Women expressing forthright opinions are unpopular. MN is famously challenging.

Never understood the unnecessary name calling

Same. In most threads on AIBU, it is rarely warranted. Some choose to throw them out for the smallest of things and usually posters who couldn’t even be bothered to read OP’s posts or comprehend the original post and came out with a completely different narrative than what is written.

Mumsnet is proof that toxic femininity exists

Men & women are equal after all…

I just got called (another thread) an absolute narcissist for asking what people did with their time instead of exercise, when the reason they did not exercise was because exercise is "too boring."

Bit tetchy or what.

There are men on here, too...

On AIBU, particularly, I'm convinced (I might be wrong!) that some posters actively want to say the person is being unreasonable regardless of the situation so start typing out an aggressive response before they've read/digested/thought about the question

Often if there is a vote it doesn't always match the comments so ....AIBU about ..<insert situation> ?
The poll might say 30% say YABU/70% say YANBU
But the first comment picks up on one aspect of the post, not always even pertinent to the question, and insists yes the OP is unreasonable. Other posters follow suit and say yes you are def unreasonable, and then the overwhelming opinion from the comments is different from the vote.

I suspect there are people who are on here purely to entertain themselves and stir up trouble. They have no interest in giving advice or support and they're the vipers. Luckily there are plenty of decent posters to offset them!

I find that posters are really contrarian. Whatever the OP is, if there’s any ambiguity they want to incredulously disagree/make OP look silly, especially when they can get the first reply in.

You normally get sensible/empathetic/measured replies on the 2nd page

Thanks for all the posts 😊

I’d say it’s been claimed as a badge of honour for women who won’t be pushed around.

Yes there are some on here who are just plain nasty- like in any group of people. It’s one of the more challenging places to hang out, for some, as no one will politely listen while you spout utter nonsense.

You will be called out if you say something incorrect, no one will agree with you for the sake of being agreeable. It’s refreshing.

You will be handed a grip if you’ve lost the plot, and told to stand up for yourself instead of being a doormat.

Interesting choice of username. Says a lot but none of it good.

Congratulations! 😂

Love that @Meowandthen 😂

Sorry @Italianita even

The profanities were a bit of a shock to me at first, too… but now don’t even notice them!

Grow a backbone.... If you knew what some people had been through in their life, you may have a little more empathy for those not as resilient as you. However, if you mean those sensitive to 'normal speak' and are offended by particular facts, I totally agree.

It makes me wonder how well over 3,000 in this country could have been 'arrested' for something they said online. Was that due to people being easily offended by the wrong use of words. Or perhaps it was threats and comments with real criminal intent or suggestions. We will never know. Maybe a FOI would clarify things.

Some backbones get broken in this journey of life.