It is a bit hard to explain this without outing myself, but I have been sent a PM and it seems that there are group of posters who discredit me by PM to existing and new users (ie new users who post in relation to the same subject matter if that makes sense).
I had already realised that a few of the regular posters had issues with me personally because they make a lot of personal comments about my character, but not about what I post. I have told them that I think the personal comments are out of order and I have had a few posts deleted by MN over the years. I didn't realise about all the PMs until recently.
I receieved a PM which clearly was not intended for me as it was assumed it was to a new poster, which makes me now think that similar emails are sent to all new users interested in the subject. The email also says things about what I think which are not true, not giving me the chance to challenge it online as it is all said privately.
It comes across as playground type stuff, unfair and cliquey but it has occasionally really upset me.
Would you say this is online bullying and not acceptable? Would you reply to the poster who emailed you, or report to MN?
On a positive note, it does explain a few things though, and so it was helpful to get the email from that point of view!