# TMI threads - what do you think? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 11, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583 "2010-02-11T19:28:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/1 "2010-02-11T19:28:39Z")
Just something that I think about from time to time - how do you react to TMI threads? ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/2 "2010-02-11T20:14:26Z")
Guess I’ll just answer my own question. Label them in the title and I just avoid them. Although a little discretion in the title would be nice, too. I don’t care about your sex life, your bowel habits, what you pulled out of your nose or how much pus you squeezed out of your zit. I remember a time when people kept their private business private. What a concept. ---
**Author:** ![corkboard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@corkboard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/corkboard)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/3 "2010-02-11T20:21:14Z")
I appreciate descriptive titles, because while I enjoy some TMI (sex, poop, etc), I don’t bother with other types (menstrual issues, pus-filled boils, your cat’s leaking anus, etc). As far as I’m concerned, anything on an anonymous message board is still sort of private. It only becomes personal and therefore uncomfortable for me when I actually know the person. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/4 "2010-02-11T20:57:47Z")
I appreciate some TMI issues. I like the menstruation ones, sometimes, because it lets me know I am not alone and also sometimes gives me ideas on how to combat issues I also have, or maybe new products out there. I don’t agree with always keeping private things private - if everyone kept everything private then you’d never learn anything new. Basically I like TMI threads that go to a goal. I don’t really want to read about what you pulled out of your nose just for the sake of it. However, the tonsil stone thread was incredibly helpful because it told me other people got them, too, and they’re not embarrassing, just normal. I avoid poop threads as much as possible, though. I hate them. If I never saw a poop thread again I’d be happy. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/5 "2010-02-11T21:05:45Z")
I just wish people actually put the TMI label on them all. I expect something weird while not gross and wham the label was missing. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/6 "2010-02-11T21:10:36Z")
Meh. “TM” is relative. It takes more to phase me than a lil blood and guts. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/7 "2010-02-11T23:05:17Z")
Discussions of medical issues can be a bit ickier than I prefer to read, but I don’t put them in the same category as “What’s the biggest dump you’ve ever taken?” or “How many times a night do you do it?” Honestly, I don’t get the apparent fascination with certain bodily functions. I certainly don’t care to know what foods make you fart the loudest. But whatever floats your boat… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2010, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/8 "2010-02-11T23:43:42Z")
I love them. They provide great (and not so great) insight into The Human Condition. Plus, they make me feel less alone. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/9 "2010-02-12T00:23:15Z")
Some of them _really are_ TM for me, but like others here, sometimes stuff that is TMI is very informative, helps me feel less alone in certain conditions, etc. Plus, some of them are funny as hell. Woo-hoo, I’m masturbating like a mother-fuck! ---
**Author:** ![capybara](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/capybara/32/202_2.png) [@capybara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capybara)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/10 "2010-02-12T01:13:13Z")
I find them frequently amusing, as long as I’m not eating, so I appreciate the labels and vague contents hints. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/11 "2010-02-12T01:16:33Z")
I am not squeamish in the least so that is not an issue. I also like to learn about the inner-workings of other people and you can’t usually do that in real life so it is a good thing about message boards. Some of them are gross or ridiculous but I still learn something usually. I am glad they are there. ---
**Author:** ![Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sticks_and_scones/32/16951_2.png) [@Sticks\_and\_Scones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sticks_and_Scones)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/12 "2010-02-12T01:36:16Z")
I’ll agree that as long as they’re clearly labeled that I don’t mind. That way I don’t stumble upon something that I’d rather not have known. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/13 "2010-02-12T02:06:42Z")
I love them because they usually end up being so informative. Plus they’re usually good for some laughs. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/14 "2010-02-12T02:17:16Z")
I like the warning, but it’s not up to me to decide what can and can’t be asked here. Within the current rules, I say let 'er rip. ---
**Author:** ![Electric\_Warrior](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@Electric\_Warrior](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electric_Warrior)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/15 "2010-02-12T02:27:23Z")
I think they’re awesome! I started an all-purpose TMI thread once, though it didn’t get past the first page IIRC. I have an insatiable curiosity. ---
**Author:** ![Monstera\_deliciosa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monstera_deliciosa/32/109_2.png) [@Monstera\_deliciosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monstera_deliciosa)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/16 "2010-02-12T02:43:14Z")
I don’t mind them as long as they are labeled. Some sort of indication of what **I** you are sharing **TM** of is good too. I don’t mind reading serious posts about sexual or medical issues, but stuff about poop, pus and putrescence posted simply for the gross-out factor, I can do without. ---
**Author:** ![Pyper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Pyper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pyper)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/17 "2010-02-12T02:45:37Z")
What can I say, if it’s labeled TMI, I’ll click on it. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/18 "2010-02-12T02:55:16Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > Some of them _really are_ TM for me, but like others here, sometimes stuff that is TMI is very informative, helps me feel less alone in certain conditions, etc. > > Plus, some of them are funny as hell. > > Woo-hoo, I’m masturbating like a mother-fuck! Boy, you must REALLY like them a lot! ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/19 "2010-02-12T02:59:12Z")
The trouble for me with them being labeled “TMI” is that then I have to check it out to see how much TMI it really is. And then it’s too late and I’m sucked in. It’s like the sign that says “Do not look in here.” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2010, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/tmi-threads-what-do-you-think/528583/20 "2010-02-12T04:19:44Z")
It doesn’t bother me too much, but I understand it bothers a lot of others. So I went with keeping them clearly labeled. That way nobody feels the need to come in and say stuff like “You guys are gross. I can’t believe you talk about this crap.”