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AIBU

To wish that posters would read what others have said

(88 Posts)
Elegran Wed 12-Feb-14 22:47:02

Why is it that so many people reply without paying any attention whatsoever to what they are replying to, or what others have posted previously on the thread? I don't mean when the thread wanders off topic, I mean when they are joining an on-going discussion.

I have even read posts which say "I have not read the rest of this conversation but my opinion is . . ." before jumping in with a statement which shows clearly that they have missed a lot of factual information and well-thought-out explanation and are talking a load of hot air from a position of complete ignorance.

Elegran Thu 13-Feb-14 19:48:22

Sometimes people ask the same questions on a post and clearly have not read the answers which are a few posts up.

Ana Thu 13-Feb-14 19:05:47

A conversation is rather different than an online discussion, though. In a real-life situation you'd just nod and say "Yes, I agree, that's just what I said."

If someone posts the same sentiment that you have already expressed on a forum, it looks as though they either haven't read your post, or have decided that they could put it better.

Of course it doesn't really matter in the grand scheme of things - I don't think this thread was started to prompt any feelings of paranoia or indignation.

harrigran Thu 13-Feb-14 18:52:55

On the scale of things does it really matter if we say something that someone else has ? When we have conversations with people you often hear the same sentiments repeated.

margaretm74 Thu 13-Feb-14 18:11:52

Quite right. DH said I never used the tab he bought me, now he says 'haven't you got anything better to do?'. Must go and get his dinner.

FlicketyB Thu 13-Feb-14 18:02:14

I think that sometimes because we are not online all at once and can have gaps of many hours, going through ones mind is the course the thread was taking on one's last post. Also some threads go from one to forty posts with incredible speed and reading back is difficult. I usually try to read the last page before responding.

The other thing is that quite often when on Gransnet I am on it for 30 - 45 minutes the same so if other people have posted at the start of a session one doesn't always see the post until later.

margaretm74 Thu 13-Feb-14 17:48:58

Me too, rockgran. Sometimes I wonder if I wrote it or mumbled something to DH. Or just thought about it in the middle of the night.

And mollie, I suppose we could just say 'to reiterate' or ' to reinforce the views of others'.
Covers a multitude.

rockgran Thu 13-Feb-14 17:17:19

I do find it a bit frustrating while I type something then during that time loads more posts have gone on and mine is now out of sync. Also sometimes I can't remember whether I said it or just thought it. I don't really mind - I just enjoy having a rant. grin

Tegan Thu 13-Feb-14 17:08:49

I have to go through them just to check that I haven't already said something and then forgotten about it blush....

kittylester Thu 13-Feb-14 17:06:16

Perhaps a good idea to preface a post with the fact that you have read all of it. Could we have an abbreviation or an emoticon. grin

mollie Thu 13-Feb-14 17:00:00

Have to say that I'm now feeling paranoid about answering any longish thread in case I've missed a post and am about to repeat what has already been said. And before anyone tells me this has already been posted I hold my hands up and say 'I'm speaking for myself and I'm human and make mistakes!'

LizG Thu 13-Feb-14 14:13:00

Paige grin not interesting sad just very weird grin

margaretm74 Thu 13-Feb-14 14:07:14

And sometimes the whole lot will come out on just one page, the next time I look it will be divided over 4 or so pages

lucyinthesky Thu 13-Feb-14 13:38:37

Sometimes I just haven't the time to scroll down so many posts lol

Soutra Thu 13-Feb-14 13:25:55

Well I have read them all and am still little further forward and wondering what specifically has prompted this? I agree with much of what has been said particularly the inaudible/invisible issue. My pearls of wisdom are usually attributed to some other great mind while my nonsensical rambling is mostly wisely ignored. Apart from giving some of us a timely reminder, is there much more to say? Thought not smile

Dragonfly1 Thu 13-Feb-14 13:21:00

Gilly thank you.

gillybob Thu 13-Feb-14 12:57:40

Don't be daft Dragonfly1 I enjoy your posts. Surely we are all here for the same reason and that is for fun and to enjoy each others chit chat. Who gives a hoot about etiquette anyway? I can't even spell etiquette without looking at your post grin

Dragonfly1 Thu 13-Feb-14 12:47:18

I feel a bit like you Roses. I don't mind being invisible either, used to that. And if I've ignored anyone on any thread I'm very sorry if I've hurt your feelings. It's too hard, this keeping everyone happy forum etiquette. I think I'll go back to being a lurker for fear of offending.

ffinnochio Thu 13-Feb-14 12:28:04

When something catches my interest, I'll read through the whole thread - e.g. the one on Giraffe's and Zoos. Full of interest and information about stuff I have limited knowledge on. Didn't contribute - but did learn a lot.

As when says - a bit of give and take.

My setting is 50 on each page of posts - which is more than enough to gather the gist of how the thread is going - or not - as the case may be.

Usually don't do quick-fire banter - don't have the computer set up make that a practical option.

margaretm74 Thu 13-Feb-14 12:24:11

Going out again now, don't post too much in my absence please.

rosesarered Thu 13-Feb-14 11:04:41

If somebody says the same as me..... I assume they are as brilliant as me grin it doesn't bother me at all , nor do the posts that disagree with me or go off at a tangent.Which just goes to show how different we all are.

MrsSB Thu 13-Feb-14 10:58:31

I actually only look at topics that have a few replies as I don't always want to, or have time to read through 7 or 8 pages of replies (not that I'd remember everything I'd just read if I did), simply to avoid repeating what someone else has already said.

whenim64 Thu 13-Feb-14 10:54:02

A bit of give and take....sometimes the threads get so long in my absence, I just read through the OP and skim read the rest.

henetha Thu 13-Feb-14 10:13:18

I totally agree, but sometimes it's just being busy that prevents us from reading all the posts. Like right now, I just felt like a quick dip into gransnet but have to go out soon for an urgent appointment, so can't help not reading everything thoroughly.
But I do agree, and I shall try to do better.... blush

Oldgreymare Thu 13-Feb-14 10:03:05

Just read thro' this and now I know why I don't read thro' all threads grin

margaretm74 Thu 13-Feb-14 10:00:32

grin