MNet Newbie Guide - what would be your top piece advice on Mumsnet etiquette?

[JustineMumsnet]

We wanted to put together a humourous yet telling guide for Mumsnet newbies, full of practical advice on how to get along in Mumsnet land.

You know the type of things...

Opening posts/ nicknames/ topics to avoid until you get the hang of it. Or don't post on AIBU if you don't want to hear that you are? Or please don't use textspeak/do use punctuation and paragraphs/ don't call people Hun.

Many many thanks. We'll bung it altogether one day soon.

Thank you in advance oh kind and good Mumsnetters.

Accept that some people can post on the well over 1000 post long "Do not post on this thread" thread, but that you can't.....

Don't refer in your thread to MNers, with whom you are actually sharing a forum, as you or you all. It implies you're not part of it and gets my peoples' backs up.

Learn where to put apostrophe's apostrophes.

Not only should you use paragraphs in your posts....sentences are useful too.

People will mention big events that have happened in the past and you won't necessarily get it (judge flounce/SWMNBN/Moldies). Don't be put off/feel left out as pretty soon you will be involved in the next big event yourself.

Accept that some topics/thread titles will irrationally get your back up and you need to sit on your hands to avoid opening them and posting.

Remember that MN is more about the good stuff than the bad, even though the bad tends to eclipse eveything else for the short time it's happening.

Peachy how times have changed, you are indeed now at leader stage and I remember from way back you saying nobody ever mentioned you on the name mentioning type threads even though you had been around for yonks!

I am old and yet young because I keep name changing regularly! I regret not being in the running for leader/elder status but I value my anonymity too highly!

when starting a thread especially when with a request of some kind please acknowledge replies, it is only polite

Ah but soon I will reach elder status and say join moldies I am tired of this LOL

Besides youa re very well known Pod are you not?

Don't go Peachy! I do actually miss the moldies and even had a dream about Cod returning (am sure she still posts on Style and Beauty )

Podrick not well known but v nice of you to say so

I agree with everything that's been said.

Also my own personal bugbear- if you go to register and it says username taken, this is not ebay. Please don't just add random numbers to that name. Or an extra bit like Too or Belle

Chances are that someone else has been happily using that name for many years and really won't appreciate suddenly being muddled up with someone with a totally different viewpoint.

Be daring. Choose something completely different

Yeah Starlight coz the answer is clearly yes (said the woman who laboured to 2dTV and their Mugabe sketch in tears of hysterics )

long and beautiful posting history my arse

Perhaps it was uncouth

I wonder if anyone felt crushed though?

Starlight - everyone knows that vodka is much better for labour than wine

{{hugs for you}}

dizzy
xxxxxxx

{{more hugs hun}}

kisses

I'm sure this has already been mentioned but learn that should have is correct and should of is incorrect.

SimpleAsABC MN Classics Don't be so lazy and find it yourself next time

Bewae Of The Custy

right MNHQ - can you march a few newbies in here to see how we're doing please?!

we wouldn't want to sound too controlling/dictating/unforgiving or bossy and god forbid we start to repeat ourselves

Try not to get too cross if you post a thoughtful and intelligent post that gets completely ignored, only to have a regular make the same point with lots of "oooo, you are so right XXXX" comments after it.

Happens to me ALL the time

And, don't expect anyone to acknowledge your problems if you post them on someone else's thread, no matter how relevant. Eg, don't post "I am at home myself with a broken leg at the moment" expecting to get a bit of sympathy from someone else in the same predictament. Your broken leg will be ignored by OP and posters.

Do NOT post on here while drunk, unless you can handle the shame the following day.....

very true psychomum, its like getting pissed at the office Christmas party and shagging the boss!!

I think that is the most fun time to post though, Psycho! Agree heartily with twofalls re the intelligent posting, it is often a waste of effort: just stick to being facetious where possible.

oohhhh hark at you BitOfFun, I wouldn't dare to try to spell facetious without copying it from you lol

Watch the moon!