It's our GN zoomiversary!

I didn't know what FOMO meant so I looked it up.
Fear of missing out (FOMO) is a social anxiety stemming from the belief that others might be having fun while the person experiencing the anxiety is not present.

Easing FOMO is very simple - just plan and organise some fun for yourself and a few others, and it will vanish.

Polly12

Seems a bit odd to tell the rest of us?

Eight people, most of whom live near the East coast of Scotland. You have three user names on this thread, and can probably deduce the others if you are familiar with other threads organising meet-ups in the area. The other five are at liberty to reveal themselves if they so wish.

That should have been to Fanny Cornforth who posted "Well, it's nice that you were a 'group of eight", so why not mention them?"

It’s the tone of the OP that made me think. When I read ‘It’s our GN Zoomiversary’ I assumed it was something that had been open to all members of GN like the Meet Ups topic and that I somehow missed it. Not that I was expecting a Zoom meeting for the entirety of GN, of course, but more like a notice board where people could say if they were interested in Zoom meetings and then form small groups.

The post then goes on to boast that only a few people are allowed to attend, but they’ve had a wonderful time, insinuating that the rest of us have missed out. It felt rather like being amongst so-called friends who you discover have organised a party which they haven’t asked you to.

By all means share ways of coping with lockdown etc but why not frame it as ‘This worked for us, maybe it would work for you too, instead of being exclusionary.

Elegran

That should have been to Fanny Cornforth who posted ^"Well, it's nice that you were a 'group of eight", so why not mention them?"^

Ah, wondered why you were telling me who’s in your gang

All my fault then. Why does anyone bother posting about any social occasion they've attended. I won't bother in future.
Thanks for your 'kind' comments.

Polly12 I quoted your post and Fanny's in the wrong order.

It is up to the other five to identify themselves, or not.

Hope your mask worked Aveline looks like you’ve needed it ?

Well really, Aveline! It was surely a super message to tell your 8 best buddies! In a WhatsApp or whatever. Or even have a Zoomiversary Zoom event. It hasn't upset me at all but I tend to think of others and we all know some of us on GN have really struggled. People have lost loved ones. People are ill. Some people haven't spoken to anyone for months. It just sounded a bit exclusive. That's all. I am genuinely pleased you have had such a ball this last 12 months. Not everyone has though.

SueDonim I imagine Aveline expected that Zoom was known about by everyone who uses the internet. It has been mentioned elsewhere on Gransnet so it is no secret. But it is not a built-in facility, you have to download it and use it independently.

I hope that the negative reaction of a few posters to learning about our virtual meet-ups doesn't mean that we are less likely to hear about the other enterprising groups who have done the same.

It’s the way it was worded, Elegran. I’m sure we have all heard of Zoom and many of us use it, but it made me think that GN had a hand in facilitating groups getting together, as they do with the Meet Up topic.

Personally, I’d probably never join a Zoom with people I don’t know but I’m lucky enough to have others in my life, in person or on Zoom. Some people have no one and I can see that to read something like this could be hurtful.

Talullah

Well really, Aveline! It was surely a super message to tell your 8 best buddies! In a WhatsApp or whatever. Or even have a Zoomiversary Zoom event. It hasn't upset me at all but I tend to think of others and we all know some of us on GN have really struggled. People have lost loved ones. People are ill. Some people haven't spoken to anyone for months. It just sounded a bit exclusive. That's all. I am genuinely pleased you have had such a ball this last 12 months. Not everyone has though.

Hear hear!

In the past, when GNs have posted about meet ups, they have perhaps mentioned where they met up, what they did, etc - AND extended an invitation to anyone else in that area to join them the next time. That was not the purpose of this post was it?

I think the whole world and his dog know about Zoom. This is nothing to do with knowledge of Zoom and how to obtain it.

The OP was just a bit Mean Girls.

Sigh. I just wanted to share what felt like a special occasion. I hadn't realised the effect it would have on those mean spirited enough to want to pour cold water on it.

If I had the time and energy, I would search the forum for posts where people tell about the things that have cheered them and helped them through these awful months, and quote them all. I don't recall any instances where they were criticised by other posters for mentioning good things.

I do, however, know of quite a few bad things that those in our virtual meetups have suffered during that time, and how they were supported by the others. A fall that caused a broken hip, after a fall by the same person the previous year that broke a shoulder, the death of a husband, family problems, some of them a long way away, a long and slow recovery from a stroke without being able to meet up with friends. No contact with families and friends for any of us. we couldn't exclude ourselves from these things - but we could support one another.

" you have had such a ball this last 12 months" doesn't exactly cover it. In fact, although you say you are genuinely pleased, it does sound as though we are being grudged the support we could give by using what is available to all. Anyone could and can do the same. Nothing is stopping you?

Perhaps we have all been doing the same, but are just not talking about it here?

When in a hole......

Isn't it wonderful how a thread about a good time can be turned into an excuse to snipe at other posters? I've seen it happen on threads about politics, religion, race, gender, but I never thought I would be on here defending an account of a nice occasion being used to accuse someone of making others feel miserable!

I don't think there is any more to say on the subject, so I will say goodnight. Sweet dreams.

Just saw this in Instagram

LauraNorder

That’s lovely, glad you all had a good time.
Nothing to stop others arranging similar zoom meetings.
I’d prefer to remain slim and elegant with perfectly coiffed hair than shatter all illusions on zoom but good luck Ellianne.

Agreed LauraNorder though I like the idea that a few know each other well enough to do zoom meetings.
I have a few ‘real’ friends from Mumsnet days but not really on GN.

Just logged on and seen this thread. I’m really glad that I’ve been part of this Zoom meet-up over the past year. Before the pandemic we met up for lunches, etc in Edinburgh mainly, but also in Aberdeen, Dundee and St Andrews. These have taken place over a number of years - almost since Gransnet began.
The Zoom meetings have seen many of us through the trials and tribulations of the past year or so. From the hilarity and fun of Katek’s virtual pantomimes, the joys of babies being born and unfortunately, the sadnesses that bereavements have brought to some of us.
I count myself lucky that I’ve met these women.

Sad for the Edinburgh meet up grans who are left out of your select Zoom group.

We are often told how well attended the Edinburgh meet ups are but only 8 of them are chosen for your special Zoom group.

Re numbers, actually my TAS (was NADFAS) committee numbers 11. We meet via Zoom every 2 months and find that very manageable. It perhaps requires a little organisation, not to say “self-discipline” not all to talk at once or for one person to dominate the conversation (!) but so do most face to face gatherings.
Bottom line, this is a private Zoom group, I note it is “by invitation only” , so I suppose analogous to any group of women meeting for a chat, not a “secret” meet-up.

Oh dear. How sad that people have taken offence at what I thought was a relatively innocent OP. I didn't find it smug or excluding- just a bit of harmless news; who knows, maybe it will encourage other GNs to set up their own zoom meetings and good luck to them if they do!