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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not let him bring a Ouija Board into my house?

139 replies

MrsMontague · 27/01/2010 12:40

This might all sound a bit silly. But basically, BIL is visiting us this weekend, he is 23.

He called last night to say he had got a Ouija Board, and would bring it with him for us to try out 'for a laugh'.

Was a bit of a shock, as tbh he has never shown any interest in anything gothic...which in itself shows that he just sees it as a novelty toy or something, I don't know.

DH was a bit sceptical, but rubbish at saying no to people. However I am ready to call him up and say for him to leave it behind.

AIBU not to want one of these things in my house? I have heard lots of unsettling things about them, and I am really not sure I want one in my house, especially when my little girl will be asleep upstairs.

BIL is a little immature and will no doubt take the mickey out of me for saying I don't want one in the house, but I can't help but wonder about all the bad things I've heard, and tbh can't understand why somebody would bring this along as a fun Saturday night activity??

What do you all think? Anybody had any experiences?

OP posts:
Kaloki · 27/01/2010 16:30

minouminou I remember that! It never worked but the person being "lifted" always claimed to feel like they were floating.

Honestly, it's just a bit of card with letters and numbers on it, you may as well be scared of a scrabble board.

Piglet don't believe everything you see on TV, especially on a show that relies on spooky happenings in order to get ratings.

Fluffyone · 27/01/2010 16:31

Your house, your choice. If you're not comfortable with it in the house then go with that feeling.

NaccetyMac · 27/01/2010 16:42

I wouldn't play with one, but not because of the particularly odd and repugnant concept of "evil." I would find it boring. Could you ask him to bring Trivial Pursuits instead?

expatinscotland · 27/01/2010 16:47

'Are you particuarly interested in the occult, or are these experiences things which have happened to you inexplicably?'

These things just happen to me, but I have never played with a ouija board.

I've known too many people who had some bad experiences with one and, yes, you can open a portal.

Those aren't good things to be around.

cyteen · 27/01/2010 16:48

I was playing Twister once with some friends and our bodies accidentally formed the shape of an upside-down cross. It was well scary, all the windows blew in and my friend's hair mysteriously went into a mullet all by itself.

posieparker · 27/01/2010 16:51

You do know it was invented as a board game in 1900s by Parker Brothers. It's pretty stupid to suppose it can open a 'portal'.

daftpunk · 27/01/2010 16:53

did you have the numbers 666 burnt into your scalp afterwards...?

expatinscotland · 27/01/2010 16:55

thanks for calling people stupid, posie .

it wasn't invented by them. people had been using things like this for years. they just mass-produced it.

if you don't believe in it, fair enough, but calling people stupid isn't on.

KimiLivesInStarbucks · 27/01/2010 16:57

My sister had her friends were playing with one the night before my nan died.

I would not have one in my house

pigletmania · 27/01/2010 16:59

Still I would never ever have one in my house, dont want to risk it really. I used to go to an all girls boarding school where the girl i shared a room with did it with her friends and they did get in contact with an old school girl who had died some time ago.

Marne · 27/01/2010 17:01

I have used them many times (when i was younger) and it was interesting, i spoke to a family member that i never knew existed, after talking to my nan it turned out to be her grandmother .

I never did it in my own home though and never would.

I never believed until i took part.

Original poster
MrsMontague · 27/01/2010 17:01

posieparker that is incorrect, the Parker Brothers just trademarked Ouija, if you do your research you will learn that the first historical mention of something resembling a Ouija board is found in China around 1100 B.C. Talking Boards have been around for a very long time. Take a look on wikipedia, there is no need for the patronising tone.

OP posts:
Flightattendant · 27/01/2010 17:03

I thought it was a Victorian thing?

Anyway...we did that thing at school where you lift someone up with your fingertips. I'm never sure how that worked either. But it did.

I don't think I would want one in my house, no.

expatinscotland · 27/01/2010 17:04

I did try the fingertips thing as a teen. But we were all drunk and just wound up laughing.

daftpunk · 27/01/2010 17:05

Yep MM....Ouija boards (in some form or other) have been around for 1000's of years....certainly wern't invented at the same time as Cluedo and Monopoly

illgetyoubutler · 27/01/2010 17:22

YANBU

Spirits, Jinn, Ghosts, Doppy: Whatever you want to call them, they are part of the Unseen, but are very much real!
My Mum seems to have a knack for attracting 'things'. Very creepy.
Ouiji board, no way!

Elenio · 27/01/2010 17:31

this is the fingertip thing

fingertipthingy

i remember doing it at a sleepover and i can swear that it worked, was at least 13 years ago though, maybe my memory is fuzzy!

BrahmsThirdRacket · 27/01/2010 17:35

Oh my God I can't believe how gullible people are. It is all a load of shite, and the fact that it's been around for centuries doesn't make it any less so.

If you are that convinced that things are going to happen because of a ouija board then it will 'happen' because you'll be looking out for it. I never believe any stories people tell. Either they're making it up, they've been had or it's a coincidence. I have heard lots of ghostie-wee-ghostie stories but nothing from anyone whose level-headedness I really trust. (no offence to anyone on here, your stories don't count because I don't know you).

On the other hand, I love ghost stories and can really shit myself up listening/reading them. But I never really believe them.

But OP if it's going to really bother you, just say no.

posieparker · 27/01/2010 17:39

Okay, so the ouija was taken from a Chinese idea, I did know that. However I find it quite laughable that adults would put any importance in something that was mass produced as a bit of fun. If, BIG IF, there is anything about these things it's simply a collective idea, or how people get so duped by people consciously, or subconsciously, move an object to form a word.

Jeez, we are grown ups aren't we?

Expat, didn't mean to call you stupid... didn't realise I had read the word portal in your post, just made the comment that it was stupid without meaning you...IYSWIM.

As a person that follows science and not religion or implausible beliefs I think it's quite odd that anyone would fear these things.

VinegarTits · 27/01/2010 18:01

In that case PP you would have no problem is trying one out yourself? how about you set up a makeshift one tonight and play with your kids? then report back to us on the morning that it is all still bullshit? i bet you wouldnt

I am a 'i will believe it when i see it' type of gal, have never done the Ouija and never seen a ghost, but there are just to many people/stories who have for my liking, now way would i try something like that, even if i am a sceptic

BrahmsThirdRacket · 27/01/2010 18:03

We did one once at uni. In a very old college. Jack shit happened. Well, actually my friend tried to fake it, but we caught him.

He later said it wasn't bollocks, but my cynicism scared the spirits away. Maybe should set up as an exorcist?

junglist1 · 27/01/2010 18:03

I believe in the occult, science doesn't and can't explain everything, and not everyone who has experienced ghosts can be considered weird or delusional. Obviously if you're jumping at every shadow you're more likely to think you've seen something but not everyone is in that category

SolidGoldBrass · 27/01/2010 18:06

OK this is a kids toy, and there are no such things as spirits and the supernatural. However, if you are a gullible wuss then its not a good idea to play with such things as you will give yourself collywobbles to no purpose. SO tell your BIL you are fwitened and don't want the nasty icky scawwwy thing in the house - why not suggest a game of strip poker instead?

SolidGoldBrass · 27/01/2010 18:09

I really am going to set myself up as a Psychic Consultant soon. There are so fucking many gullible people in the world and being a Psychic Consultant is so easy...

posieparker · 27/01/2010 18:09

I did use one as a student and me and a friend both admitted that we pushed the glass.....I'm sure the other people would claim that they had a scary experience.

You've all seen Derren Brown and his astrology reading things haven't you? The thing where each was the same and each person said it was relevant.