scared to post

[potatomama]

I drafted two different posts before this, but then I thought: What if people write mean comments? Or what if noone replies at all?
This is probably why I've never been to any playgroups either...

Well you've made the leap in now.

You'll be grand.

swoosh like a movie star or swoosh like a dragon?

sorry for sounding desperate up there. MN is pretty intimidating and I'm a lurker by nature

Hello, don't be scared. What would you like to post about?

Remember, so long as you don't post something outrageously out of order, then even if you do get a mean comment, other people will support you. Even if someone should be mean don't take it to heart, it can't be personal if they don't know you

Like a villain, cloaked.

You know what though - we were all first time posters once many long years ago for some sad gits like moi

So, welcome to the pit of despond sunny slopes of Mount Mumsnet. Have a trot round, think about customising yer settings ^ up there somewhere to suit your interests blah blah blah, have a read of the acronym list and get posting

When did they start a newbie corner? I got told off on my first thread for being in the wrong section. Miserable buggers.

If people are mean:
Either ignore them or tell them to fuck off
Name change
Repeat as necssary

You'll be fine.

Ive been slaughtered at various times for being white, being male, being part of the patriarchy and being a Nazi. Its all good fun.

Just start a few threads on AIBU about parking or toddlers in restaurants and you will be right at home.

Jump in Potato don't worry about doing it wrong.

if it goes Tits up I'll jump in and start a SAHM have it easy thread

If the thread goes Viper Mach 5, hide it, name change, have some wine and start over.

You can't do that in playgroups.

I still remember the name of a poster who was mean to me on my first post. She's still around.

Just remember none of it's real. People are more forthright than you might be accustomed to IRL and you'll probably get a broader range of opinions than you would IRL just because of the different life experiences of people here.

Now, big girl pants on, go start your thread. And make it a good one.

(Telling someone to fuck off as mavis suggests would be breaking Talk Guidelines. What you have to say instead is 'You are being disingenuous' which is mumsnet for 'fuck off'.)

Oh, and to those of us being all nice and welcoming we get to use the
emoticon

Just dive on in, don't worry about it.

I think it is easier to start posting these days now that everyone name changes and there are squillions of posters. I was petrified when I started because everyone knew each other.

My first two or three posts led to me getting into ENORMOUS arguments. I kept unwittingly poking the Mumsnet collective with an huge stick. It really wasn't deliberate and I had my arse handed to me several times.

Boy, it was fun

I've never been told off (yet) by mummymumsnet. I did get threatened by s lovely lady from Belfast who threatened to do me bodily harm because I guffawed at a prom dress thread (yes they really were more expensive than my wedding dress and first car). Other posters were very nice and told her off and she got put on the naughty seat.

She didn't realise that I'm from Glasgow, so not impressed with that sort of thing.

Agree re none of it is real. I was incensed by a rude comment someone made once, and was about to launch into an argument. I suddenly realized the poster could be anyone, including an adolescent schoolboy out to wind people up for a bored laugh. At which point I also realized I was about to have a row with someone I didn't know, whose opinion meant nothing to me. And I walked away to get on with my life.

MN us great, but if someone is rude /aggressive it's worth remembering that before you get wound up.

I also think people are far more bolshie behind the anonymity of an Internet forum.

If it all goes wrong go into the "I woke up my husband at 4am to tellhim" thread. Just watch out for spitting coffee over the computer as you snigger.

Good luck!

I have been deleted for writing limericks before. Mean limericks about a journo who deserved to be limericked.

It's worth noting that most people on most threads are perfectly nice. But the gloves can be off in AIBU which seems to specialise in being mean for the sake of it. It can be fun if you're in the mood for it, but if you're feeling a bit fragile about anything, best to stick to the friendlier Chat or one of the topic-specific folders.

OMG! Please write a mean limerick!

Shall I try to start a bunfight and you can limerick about my twatishness?

I want to be mean limericked!

(but not in a pervy way of course)

Ooh yeah, try and find the right section to start with.

Some of the snits are still jittery after the Fisting thread popped up in trending.

When i joined a decade ago there was no newbie corner and i was entirely crucified for posting accidently in aibu.

The thing is over the last ten years these vipers have got me through marriage breakdown, told me to ltb, divorce, life as a single parent and as a Mum of an sen child. Their support has been invaluable.

You just have to be aware with the protection of a computer screen people are way more likely to post more full on then in person.

That's really lovely, owls

Er, I meant the support part is lovely - not the crucifying part!

invictus these days
I only write haiku.
They are easier.

See what I did there?

I like the newbies corner it feels safer like I won't get if I'm not funny enough

It does feel nice. I didn't actually know there was a newbies corner, but I might change my name regularly and pretend to be new once a week or so.