Gransnet forums

AIBU

Men on forum

(192 Posts)
Stillness Tue 03-Mar-26 13:08:10

AIBU to expect this forum to be for just women? At least that was my impression but after receiving a (unwelcome) private message from a man, I’m wondering if I’ve got this wrong? (And yes, I have blocked him).

Casdon Fri 06-Mar-26 20:39:49

Who cares what sex posters are? I’m not interested as to whether the respondents on a thread are male or female, all views are equal, surely?

kittylester Fri 06-Mar-26 20:50:41

Quite. That's why I point out when someone ask 'you ladies' a question.

TheSunRisesInTheEast Fri 06-Mar-26 22:15:54

Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus. When I joined Gransnet I assumed it was for older women, as opposed to Mumsnet, which I didn't get on with due to the bullying, bad language and general nastiness. Gransnet has proved to be a much nicer place, the members talk respectfully and respectably, there isn't any swearing (very refreshing) and differences of opinion aren't met with a tirade of abuse. Whether men want to join in is up to them, but when I ask my husband what he talks about with his friends, he says they talk about totally the opposite to what women talk about! He says they don't enquire about one another's family, nothing to do with the house or garden, it's mainly cars, sport, work and current affairs. If some men want to look in on our conversations about children, grandchildren, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, clothes shopping and the menopause, then I don't have a problem with it. It can be useful to get a man's perspective on things, then I just ignore it!! 😂🤣. Only joking - all welcome 😀.

David49 Sat 07-Mar-26 08:03:30

Men and women are different for sure but the variation between individuals is massive, some men have very feminine characteristics, some women masculine, not just physical, emotionally as well. Politically, women in general are much more liberal, but there are plenty that would vote for Farage or Trump.

Men never discuss family matters or health unless directly asked, women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity. Work is a big topic for men, what each are involved in, sport, cars, boats

Iam64 Sat 07-Mar-26 09:14:28

Men you mix with might never discuss family matters or health David, but many men do discuss these things, imo it makes for healthier mental and physical health. Not all men are focussed on sport, cars, boats to the exclusion of their families, relationships and social or community activities.

Work is a big topic for women as well. Especially the work life balance that so many women still manage in families, despite working full time

I don’t expect you intended to be patronising or rude * women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity *

RosiesMawagain Sat 07-Mar-26 09:33:25

I’ll be rather less diplomatic Iam !
David - what utter tosh!
The men in my family discuss neither sport, cars nor boats, and certainly not work! What you describe reminds me of the “Clinton cards “ version of men’s interests.
Or that very funny Harry Enfield dinner party sketch where women are indulged and patronised because taking of anything more intellectual than fluffy kittens tires out their brains,
If you can find it on Google it’s called , 'harry enfield sketch women know your limits'

Sago Sat 07-Mar-26 09:44:48

David49

Men and women are different for sure but the variation between individuals is massive, some men have very feminine characteristics, some women masculine, not just physical, emotionally as well. Politically, women in general are much more liberal, but there are plenty that would vote for Farage or Trump.

Men never discuss family matters or health unless directly asked, women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity. Work is a big topic for men, what each are involved in, sport, cars, boats

Oh David I think this will ruffle a few feathers.

Galaxy Sat 07-Mar-26 09:45:17

So this is going well then.

David49 Sat 07-Mar-26 09:49:20

Iam64

Men you mix with might never discuss family matters or health David, but many men do discuss these things, imo it makes for healthier mental and physical health. Not all men are focussed on sport, cars, boats to the exclusion of their families, relationships and social or community activities.

Work is a big topic for women as well. Especially the work life balance that so many women still manage in families, despite working full time

I don’t expect you intended to be patronising or rude * women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity *

Not meant as patronizing any more than your matronizing about men

RosiesMawagain Sat 07-Mar-26 10:14:02

women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity
Not “patronising “ ? @ David - bliddy rude!

SORES Sat 07-Mar-26 10:38:50

Iam64

Men you mix with might never discuss family matters or health David, but many men do discuss these things, imo it makes for healthier mental and physical health. Not all men are focussed on sport, cars, boats to the exclusion of their families, relationships and social or community activities.

Work is a big topic for women as well. Especially the work life balance that so many women still manage in families, despite working full time

I don’t expect you intended to be patronising or rude * women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity *

…or to pontificate so self assuredly…

Grandmabatty Sat 07-Mar-26 10:44:34

Ah David. I have to laugh at your comments which add nothing to the debate, but reinforce your archaic and bigoted attitude to women. David won't ever change his attitude and will come back with what he thinks is 'fact' - no it isn't, and a witty repost- no it isn't.

TerriBull Sat 07-Mar-26 11:33:42

"women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity" OMG! feckin' hilarious! Gee thanks for the observation Professor Higgins we just don't recognise ourselves half the time do we fellow chatterers? Because we're all absolutely the same us women, our behaviour, it just isn't nuanced in the way men clearly display theirs. It's what we do, us women just chatter on, on in minute detail about handbags, makeup, fluffy kittens, knitting patterns, lovely frocks, high heels, bad hair days, how to make the perfect Victoria sponge cake, all in minute detail. We know this because a man has told us so, So it must be true. Vaccinated with a gramophone needles, so we can't really help ourselves can we?

So unlike the men, who of course all know when and where to shut up! Why look no further than the world stage some wonderful examples of gobshites of stoicism.

Yes loved the Harry Enfield dinner parties "women know your limits" do stop chattering on in minute detail

The spirit of Professor Higgins is alive and well on GN. I'm wondering if there's a subliminal message a sort of "Why can't a woman be more like a man?"

RosiesMawagain Sat 07-Mar-26 12:22:27

Now, now ladies!
Show respect where it is due!

Shel1951 Sat 07-Mar-26 12:30:42

I can understand why the poster could think its just ladies, when you think kids say gran for their grandma and pops or grandad for their grandad, ...hows your gran doing? If talking about grandma , personally I don't have an opinion or care, its for grandparents isn't it?

Allira Sat 07-Mar-26 12:32:48

David49

Men and women are different for sure but the variation between individuals is massive, some men have very feminine characteristics, some women masculine, not just physical, emotionally as well. Politically, women in general are much more liberal, but there are plenty that would vote for Farage or Trump.

Men never discuss family matters or health unless directly asked, women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity. Work is a big topic for men, what each are involved in, sport, cars, boats

Work is a big topic for men, what each are involved in, sport, cars, boats

I agree with David49
Yes, men can be so utterly boring, always talking about themselves.
😴

Allira Sat 07-Mar-26 12:33:35

RosiesMawagain

Now, now ladies!
Show respect where it is due!

😂😂😂

Allira Sat 07-Mar-26 12:36:03

TerriBull

"women will chatter on in minute detail at any opportunity" OMG! feckin' hilarious! Gee thanks for the observation Professor Higgins we just don't recognise ourselves half the time do we fellow chatterers? Because we're all absolutely the same us women, our behaviour, it just isn't nuanced in the way men clearly display theirs. It's what we do, us women just chatter on, on in minute detail about handbags, makeup, fluffy kittens, knitting patterns, lovely frocks, high heels, bad hair days, how to make the perfect Victoria sponge cake, all in minute detail. We know this because a man has told us so, So it must be true. Vaccinated with a gramophone needles, so we can't really help ourselves can we?

So unlike the men, who of course all know when and where to shut up! Why look no further than the world stage some wonderful examples of gobshites of stoicism.

Yes loved the Harry Enfield dinner parties "women know your limits" do stop chattering on in minute detail

The spirit of Professor Higgins is alive and well on GN. I'm wondering if there's a subliminal message a sort of "Why can't a woman be more like a man?"

😂

And yet - this particular man joins in the threads on Gransnet, joining in with fluffy-headed women and generally putting us right on all kinds of subjects on which we dare to have an opinion.

Jaxjacky Sat 07-Mar-26 12:51:55

Oh dear David, dinosaurs still live amongst us.

Allira Sat 07-Mar-26 13:19:43

I think David must be wielding his wooden spoon because he knows full well that Gransnetters, who are mainly women, discuss all kinds of subjects and he joins in the threads too. Perhaps he's not keen on women having opinions though.

Don't fall for it 😂

David49 Sat 07-Mar-26 13:30:42

Im not going to change, I get along fine just as I am why would I change.
The comment " why aren't women more like a man" is funny, why do women to copy men, try to be equal, to be more like a man.

I certainly want women to be different, they have their own way of doing things, that's fine. It not me that has a problem I get on well with the women around me, thats all any man can hope for, so I don't take notice of feminist opinions.

David49 Sat 07-Mar-26 13:38:11

Allira

I think David must be wielding his wooden spoon because he knows full well that Gransnetters, who are mainly women, discuss all kinds of subjects and he joins in the threads too. Perhaps he's not keen on women having opinions though.

Don't fall for it 😂

Women can have opinions but don't assume they are always right, only my wife is always right.

Iam64 Sat 07-Mar-26 13:42:43

why do women copy mmen, try to be equal, to be more like a man

Hands up you stroppy feminists, admit it, you want to be just like David

Tizliz Sat 07-Mar-26 13:55:43

harry enfield sketch women know your limits

I had one of these moments last night and just could not remember what I had backed up on the hard drive, my brain was definitely fuzzy. 6am it all came back and I remembered.

TerriBull Sat 07-Mar-26 14:11:42

"Women can have opinions but don't assume they are always right, only my wife is always right"

Surely not shock well possibly right about some things, such as how to produce a batch of succulent spam fritters, but don't let her loose any where near discussions you and your male companions may have about the Gold Standard she might start chattering on in minute detail, about something she may not have the mental capacity to grasp. Perhaps kindly ask the chattering women, you may find yourself surrounded with, to kindly retire with their sewing in a mixed company scenario to another room, just whisper furtively "you're a woman and you need to know your limits" Be firm but kind. Calmly assert your masculine authority and do cut her off before she starts some sort of insufferable womanly wittering about heaven knows what, work or cars, boats even, like the Gold Standard they're certainly subjects that women need not worry their pretty heads about.