Is your online personality the same when you're offline (Full Version)

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Prairiehiker -> Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 10:32:20 PM)

There was a thread the brought up the discussion about different personalities, and how we should all try to assert ourselves and be more "out there" in these forums to be noticed. I thought I'd ask if we are the same online as we are in person? Do our personalities change when we're behind a computer screen, or do we manifest who we are when we posts in these forums. Is there anyone who's not shy in these forums but is actually shy in person? I think this would give us some insights in each other, and perhaps, allow us a greater understanding in how to counsel or encourage, or cheer up each other.

I think I'm about 80% of my true personality online. The reason I say that is it's hard for me to convey my thoughts into words, being English is my second language. Also, I'm not the most articulate person, I'm also not sure how to write in "internet" language. So, often times, my goofy side doesn't show. I have a very serious side that comes out when issues of values, ethics, religion and philosophy are being discussed...which is always the case in most of the threads that I answer to. But for the most part, I'm goofy around the people I work with and around the friends that I hang out with. My 11 year old daughter thinks I'm the coolest mom in the world as I act more like a big sister and she calls me hip and groovy, LOL. I just don't know how to bring that out in written words.

So, how about you guys. Are you the same in person as you are on here, personalitywise?



collie1 -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 10:35:59 PM)

I think I am just as odd in real life, I get the same reaction from most people in both cases.



Prairiehiker -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 10:41:05 PM)

ANd to add, just like in the real world, I take a while to warm up to most people. Every once in a while, I meet someone whom I feel quite at ease with at first meeting. I find that I'm like that too online. I won't just jump in to any conversations between people, like in the chat threads.



John_O -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 10:41:16 PM)

My online persona is exactly the same whether I'm online or not. (I keep it in a box beside the door)

Actually I'm about the same online or off. I try very hard to be honest on line so that if I ever meet the fine folk from the forums face to face (like at the GT) They are not wondering who this pod person is and what did they do with John_O[:D]



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 10:52:25 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

My online persona is exactly the same whether I'm online or not. (I keep it in a box beside the door)

Actually I'm about the same online or off. I try very hard to be honest on line so that if I ever meet the fine folk from the forums face to face (like at the GT) They are not wondering who this pod person is and what did they do with John_O[:D]

Oh trust me...we'll be wondering about you all right. [8D]



humbleinspirit -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:16:24 PM)

I am more or less the same person online as offline. I am not sure how I come across online, however I tend to be quiet offline, but not really though if that makes any sense at all?



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:22:17 PM)

Okay...I'll admit. I'm actually very shy and very withdrawn in person. When I first meet you I probably won't say a whole lot until I get to know you and feel comfortable. That can take years sometimes.

Then the fun part comes when I feel comfortable with you. I. Don't. Shut. Up. Ever. LOLOLOL!!!!

All in all I pretty much type like I talk. For the few people who have spoke to me already can vouch for that. *beams*



shemaromans -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:22:55 PM)

I'm the same. Quiet at first but more talkatative and playful once I warm up. It is easier for me to type a lot than it is for me to speak a lot...unless I'm really comfortable, know someone better, hyper, or excited about a topic.

Lisa's talked with me on the phone. She should be able to gauge my authenticity.



John_O -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:30:08 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessGiselle

quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

My online persona is exactly the same whether I'm online or not. (I keep it in a box beside the door)

Actually I'm about the same online or off. I try very hard to be honest on line so that if I ever meet the fine folk from the forums face to face (like at the GT) They are not wondering who this pod person is and what did they do with John_O[:D]

Oh trust me...we'll be wondering about you all right. [8D]



[eeyore voice = on]Same old story. That's OK I'm used to it. It'll probably rain anyway[/eeyore voice]



sunluvingirl -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:43:38 PM)

I think its easier for me to be more outgoing online then offline since I am not by nature a very outgoing person IMO. So in some cases its easier for me to write something instead of saying it. In real life it definitely makes a difference how well I know someone or how comfortable I feel with them as to how much I will talk.



wfisaac -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:46:21 PM)

I think I'm pretty much the same online as I am in real life. I listen a lot (on here I read a lot). And I tend to ponder conversations well afterwards. If there's a lot of conversation going on, instead of trying to get a word in I listen. But, boy watch out if I get an opportunity given to me sometimes. I tend to ramble. Especially when I'm tired.

Probably the only difference is on here I don't get involved in some of the more deeper conversations and that's usually only because my job drains me so much that by the time I get home my brain can't handle trying to put my thoughts in writing. Many times I start to post something that's on my heart and I get halfway through and then hit cancel....but if you were to sit with me face to face I would share more because then I wouldn't have to be concerned about typos and stuff.[:)]



Prairiehiker -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/11/2008 11:49:07 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: junerose79

I think its easier for me to be more outgoing online then offline since I am not by nature a very outgoing person IMO. So in some cases its easier for me to write something instead of saying it. In real life it definitely makes a difference how well I know someone or how comfortable I feel with them as to how much I will talk.


YOu know what, June, I sometimes can communicate better. Usually, when I'm discussing a personal issue with a close friend, I find it easy to write my thoughts as I don't have to think too much. But in forums, I think too much when I'm writing that even my accent shows through, even though I don't have a strong accent when I'm speaking. I think I'm more self conscious online.



sunluvingirl -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 12:03:37 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Prairiehiker

quote:

ORIGINAL: junerose79

I think its easier for me to be more outgoing online then offline since I am not by nature a very outgoing person IMO. So in some cases its easier for me to write something instead of saying it. In real life it definitely makes a difference how well I know someone or how comfortable I feel with them as to how much I will talk.


YOu know what, June, I sometimes can communicate better. Usually, when I'm discussing a personal issue with a close friend, I find it easy to write my thoughts as I don't have to think too much. But in forums, I think too much when I'm writing that even my accent shows through, even though I don't have a strong accent when I'm speaking. I think I'm more self conscious online.

Interesting!! I don't really feel like I have the gift of always knowing how to express myself too well online or offline, I actually think sometimes my brain is too lazy to properly analyze and put things into words[:(]!! In those cases when it would be easier to write something is when it is more of a confrontational nature, I think.



LabGuy -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 1:31:10 AM)

I think what you see here is what you get in real life after I've gotten to know you and feel comfortable. (That's the remarkable thing about communicating like this - it mostly removes the awkwardness you feel being physically present with people you don't know, and lets you open up.) This is how I am one-on-one or in a small group of up to four or five. More than that (and without a sub-group of that size that I can gravitate to) I start to withdraw, as it's too much for me.

What you read here may be a little more polished (or just plain coherent!) than you get talking to me in real life simply because the medium allows me to consider my words first and make sure they're saying what I mean. I'll say the same thing to your face as I would write here (or try to at any rate), but it just might not flow as well. [sm=icon_smile.gif]

In real life with people I totally don't know I try to be polite and pleasant, but I'm definitely withdrawn. It usually takes me a good while to warm up to someone. (Making friends has never been easy for me.) In a large group of strangers I feel extremely awkward. (And if there are people I know in the crowd I will tend to anchor to them, like an island in a storm.)

The Get-Together will be an interesting experience for me because I've never before made friends online first, and then met them in the flesh. I simply don't know whether I'll instantly be at ease or if the "stranger shields" will automatically go up. I'm hoping for the former, obviously, but I can't say - no experience to go off of.

(As an aside, the me you're seeing here is actually a fairly recent development, and I've posted about that elsewhere. But it's genuinely who I am now. Honestly, if you're hoping to make friends, using a fake persona would be stupid, because then people would be friends with the fake and not really you!)

-Robb



Focusing -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 1:57:42 AM)

Online I'm far quieter than I am offline. Those who know me will say that's an understatement. [8D] Either way, I am fairly open and very honest. I would also have to say there are less tangents online than there are offline. When I type I'm generally more focused.



mutinywxgirl -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 7:39:11 AM)

I know people will find this very hard to believe, but I AM introverted. I *need* the alone me time. I HATE being the center of attention - absolutely hate it. Going through things from childhood, I am very self-conscious, thus why I hate it so much - I don't like feeling like I'm under scrutiny from the second I walk through a door. I rarely go barging into conversations with people unless they are folks I know will allow me to do so.

However, when I am with people I know and are comfortable with, I can be totally nuts. BUT, I will NEVER go seeking attention. That makes me cringe even at the thought! When I'm comfortable - I will laugh loudly and unreservedly. I don't care that the world knows I'm having a good time.

When I'm in a group of people where I don't know anyone - I'm extremely uncomfortable.

The forums allow me to be much more outgoing than I am in person. But even here, I temper what I say many times (unless I'm picking on John).



John_O -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 9:12:08 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: mutinywxgirl

I know people will find this very hard to believe, but I AM introverted. I *need* the alone me time. I HATE being the center of attention - absolutely hate it. Going through things from childhood, I am very self-conscious, thus why I hate it so much - I don't like feeling like I'm under scrutiny from the second I walk through a door. I rarely go barging into conversations with people unless they are folks I know will allow me to do so.

However, when I am with people I know and are comfortable with, I can be totally nuts. BUT, I will NEVER go seeking attention. That makes me cringe even at the thought! When I'm comfortable - I will laugh loudly and unreservedly. I don't care that the world knows I'm having a good time.

When I'm in a group of people where I don't know anyone - I'm extremely uncomfortable.

The forums allow me to be much more outgoing than I am in person. But even here, I temper what I say many times (unless I'm picking on John).



I was going to let this go by BUT that last line.....[sm=shakinghead.gif]

(Note to self: Remember to reserve "Lisa" spotlight for GT. 2 hours should do it I think)



CoeurdeLeon_ -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 9:12:28 AM)

quote:

I know people will find this very hard to believe, but I AM introverted. I *need* the alone me time.

That's the beauty of forums, I can gab with everyone but it's still QUIET here. I can walk away and come back, etc. And posting somehow doesn't drain me the way interaction IRL does. Don't get me wrong, I mostly like people, I just get emotionally drained IRL.

Anyway, am I the same IRL? Well, let's see....

~I'm blunt IRL. I say what I think and let the chips fall where they may.
~I laugh...A LOT...IRL
~I'm open, honest and transparent IRL. If someone wants to hurt me or take advantage of me, that's on them. I'm not going to live my life trying to protect myself from it.
~I'm generally succinct IRL. If I can't get it out quickly in a few words, I just don't say it.
~IRL I am less likely to point out bad manners/nastiness/inaccurate thinking. I do it here because others can read it and see a counterbalance. IRL, I know that people aren't going to listen so I mostly don't bother.
~IRL I stick up for anyone who is being mistreated verbally (i.e. Several times I've banned customers because of the way they talked to/treated my employees.). That just isn't cool and I won't let it slide.
~Other than that, I'm not confrontational or argumentative IRL. I mostly live and let live.

There are some differences but I'm the same in what I'd say and how I'd say it.



sunluvingirl -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 9:28:27 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon

That's the beauty of forums, I can gab with everyone but it's still QUIET here. I can walk away and come back, etc. And posting somehow doesn't drain me the way interaction IRL does. Don't get me wrong, I mostly like people, I just get emotionally drained IRL.


I agree. After awhile I just get tired of being around people & trying to be sociable, feeling like my smile is pasted on my face,etc. Maybe thats why I'm kinda addicted to these forums, its interaction at my convenience & comfort!![:)] (goodness I sound like a selfish person[:(])



humbleinspirit -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 9:33:58 AM)

I do not mind being with friends, but if its people who I do not know or not very comfortable with, then I do need my alone time as well.



CoeurdeLeon_ -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 9:34:18 AM)

Not selfish, just honest.

I don't ever have to try to be sociable, it does come naturally. Just, at the end of the day, I feel like I've given away most of me, drop by drop.



Prairiehiker -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 9:52:45 AM)

After being around these forums for a few months and reading your description about your self, some are exactly how i would picture them..like John, labGuy, Shemaromans, and Courdeleon. I'm surprise to see that Mutiny and Giselle is an introvert.

The rest, I hardly see their post. I guess these are people that are more in the background. One observation I have is that in person, I tend to notice the background people and socialize with them in group settings. But online,I tend to not notice them too much. I think that's one improement we can make about when we're interacting online. You never know when the quiter posters need some encouragement but don't know how to interact online just like in real life.

Keep em coming guys. This is a really interesting way to get to know everyone.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 10:17:30 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: junerose79

quote:

ORIGINAL: CoeurdeLeon

That's the beauty of forums, I can gab with everyone but it's still QUIET here. I can walk away and come back, etc. And posting somehow doesn't drain me the way interaction IRL does. Don't get me wrong, I mostly like people, I just get emotionally drained IRL.


I agree. After awhile I just get tired of being around people & trying to be sociable, feeling like my smile is pasted on my face,etc. Maybe thats why I'm kinda addicted to these forums, its interaction at my convenience & comfort!![:)] (goodness I sound like a selfish person[:(])

There is so nothing selfish about this comment. Like for instance, right now, I just got out of bed. My hair is a mess, my makeup is all but gone, and I'm still in my jammies. I'll come on here, chat for a bit, and then go and do my thing. I wouldn't do that IRL. EVER. You have to know me quite well to see me completely ungroomed.

Unfortunately I have a feeling that's how I'll be seen at the GT at least once...LOLOLOL



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 10:23:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: LabGuy

The Get-Together will be an interesting experience for me because I've never before made friends online first, and then met them in the flesh. I simply don't know whether I'll instantly be at ease or if the "stranger shields" will automatically go up. I'm hoping for the former, obviously, but I can't say - no experience to go off of.

-Robb

This is so true. And I do have experience so I can touch on this a little. When I met Lisa I was completely myself around her, until we got around other people. Then I got quiet and just kind of kept to myself. That's only because I didn't know them. Now if one of those people were Gary, or John, or Robb, or Tina, or Fritz, it would be totally different. It just proved to me that I knew Lisa well enough to be myself but not the other people.

So I know at the GT I will be fine and unfortunately you guys will see Tink in full form. [;)]



mutinywxgirl -> RE: Is your online personality the same when you're offline (4/12/2008 10:32:24 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PrincessGiselle

quote:

ORIGINAL: LabGuy

The Get-Together will be an interesting experience for me because I've never before made friends online first, and then met them in the flesh. I simply don't know whether I'll instantly be at ease or if the "stranger shields" will automatically go up. I'm hoping for the former, obviously, but I can't say - no experience to go off of.

-Robb

This is so true. And I do have experience so I can touch on this a little. When I met Lisa I was completely myself around her, until we got around other people. Then I got quiet and just kind of kept to myself. That's only because I didn't know them. Now if one of those people were Gary, or John, or Robb, or Tina, or Fritz, it would be totally different. It just proved to me that I knew Lisa well enough to be myself but not the other people.

So I know at the GT I will be fine and unfortunately you guys will see Tink in full form. [;)]

And she got to see me in MY element with those people, so I'm sure my comments about being introverted aren't believed, but, this was for Brain Bowl, and I adore these folks - so yeah, I was a bit crazy with them. And Tink can attest to this - Stan is too cute. [:)][;)]

This year at the GT - I will be much more comfortable than last year - since I won't be one of the last ones arriving and feeling like I was barging in on people AND feeling like I was under scrutiny from the second I walked through the door.



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