Private conversations held on MN

[Ohwhatacircusitis]

I thought MN was a public forum where essentially any one with a registered account could start a thread. And the thread was open to anyone with a registered account to join in the discussion .

Why then are " private threads " allowed? Where essentially certain MN users have a private conversation with each other which is being conducted on a public forum? I'm thinking here of the New Fred thread in 30 days, although I have seen other examples in the past.

Surely this isn't what MN is supposed to be about?
Why can't these posters use the private messaging facility or conduct their conversation elsewhere.

Total cliquism vibes.

Very, very similar.
🤣

Well I'm glad they find mutual support.

I still don't understand why the OP tries to keep the purpose of the thread secret from other MN members.

Pom Bear, anyone?

This is very outing if she’s on here, but my massage therapist has got a new rescue woof woof. I asked her to let him in and he came under the table and gave me kisses through the little hole you put your face in 🥰

She really doesn't.
Are you being obtuse on purpose?

Damnit, I’m the last Pom bear to the party.

Is there a thread for people who are desperate for a dog, but can’t have one?

I demand an initiation ceremony! With robes!

Maybe some cutted up pear.

In the nicest possible way, OP, if you have extreme social anxiety then MN is going to disappoint you, because it's not entirely 'safe'. People disagree, some people are horrible to each other for no obvious reason, some posters are posting in bad faith and looking to create division. There is an equality that everyone can post anything anywhere on here, but they can't dictate what response they will get to those posts as MN is basically just another gathering of people. Sometimes I read threads started by someone who sounds pretty vulnerable and ache for them because they get a rough response. I also read threads where people are having a fun conversation and someone turns up and kills it by being an arse.

I feel bad for you because you clearly want to find a safe space and this won't be it. There are some lovely bits of MN that you might want to look at as like many of us you'll end up avoiding the parts of MN that are more likely to be people spoiling for a fight. Have a look according to your interests and you'll find some very welcoming people.

The Hide Thread button is well used in my house.

One of the funniest things I have ever read on MN was about television chef James Martin.

Someone said she imagined him going to bed wearing a blazer and keeping a glass of cream by his bed in case he was thirsty during the night.

I don't know why but it stuck with me and every time I see him I laugh.

This is a lovely reply.

@Ohwhatacircusitis , why does this particular group annoy you so much? I don't read as I don't know what it's about. Other threads are available to you as previously said. I'm sure if I did dip in, read, figured out the style and posted, I'd be welcomed. But I don't. I also don't complain about its existence. Lighten up.

Right here. Cats, dogs and cake photos welcome.

I really feel like cake now. Carrot in fact. I don't have all the ingredients to make one and am not going to order in just one slice of cake.

Carrot cake photos welcome.

OP, what did you want to contribute to that particular thread?

It is equal, you daft numpty. Anyone can post. Anyone can read it. No one is keeping secrets.

No one owes you a nice deep-voiced recap of Previously On Mumsnet, OP.

You can read the long running threads from the start until you’ve picked up the gist like every other user on the site. Or you can post in Site Stuff moaning that some people you don’t know had a conversation you weren’t part of and they didn’t drop what they were doing to provide you with a personal guide to the context.

(I couldn’t find a gif of Walter telly Donny he was out of his depth, so this other Big Lebowski gif will have to do)

I went and had a look and think you immeadiatly came across quite hostile OP. You got an explanation what the thread is about what more do you want

It is equal. Everyone is free to start threads and join in threads, and make friends on threads.
Not every thread is relevant to every person, and that’s fine. Not every thread has a purpose that can be explained. It had a purpose 12 years ago, but now no longer does.

Would you really want to eject a group of people because they were in a long standing conversation? Because that’s the alternative really.

I’m really bad for joining in enthusiastically for a while then disappearing. I have a short attention span and wander off from the weight loss thread I was determined to stick with, in favour of a different diet or a hobby.

There was a longish one about thread assassins, if I remember correctly. Being the person whose post kills a thread🤣.

She doesn't. What more is there to say other than they are old friends chatting. It doesn't have a narrower theme. I'm sure you could join in if you want to but you'd probably have to read a lot of it to get a feel for it.

Which you are welcome to do as it clearly isn't private.

Good lord, OP.

I had no idea these threads even existed until you made this post and I absolutely don't care. It's not a 'clique' it's a group of online friends. I bet you anything they pick up contributors and folks along the way.

The OP on that thread was perfectly clear in her reply to you and has been extremely polite throughout your - for want of a better word - tantrum.

You reaction is odd: "if every thread doesn't include me then MN isn't inclusive" is such a mad way to view the site. There are thousands and thousands of threads - just pick another.

Grow up.

Costco carrot cake is particularly yummy. Unfortunately I do not have a costco card nor can I eat a whole one. Based on you wanting a picture I have now found out you can freeze it. I just need a costco card owner 👀

Never even heard of private threads.