Do you treat people online the same as in real life?

[homesick_american 1]

So why would one be more rude and brusque online than in real person? Self esteem issues maybe?

No, self-esteem has nothing to do with it. I'm an Aspie so without the non-verbal cues that you get from someone it makes it even more difficult to tell if I'm being rude. I don't usually know if I'm being rude online unless someone tells me I'm being rude...exception being if I'm TRYING to be rude. I've had to learn how to read peoples' non-verbal cues the way other people learn to speak a foreign language or ride a bicycle. Practice, practice, practice.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

I try to be the same online as I am in person. For me, courtesy and kindness isn't dictated solely by if you do or do not see some one face to face - it should be second nature regardless of the circumstances.

And yeah, having met Karen in person - she is the same in person as she is online - 'good people' both ways

[chri'stina 190]

I act pretty much the same in real life as on here, I believe. I don't know, I might be a tad bit more bubbly in real life than on here sometimes. Yeah it's way easier to be mean to someone on here than in real life, which is not good IMO. I try to be the same as I would in real life. I am rarely ever mean to people I know. (besides close family if we are getting on each other's nerves)

In the past I met a couple people in real life that had been friends from online, and they were very different than their "online" personalities. I don't like that! They would be talkative online, and in real life wouldn't even communicate. (That didn't happen with meeting my hubby, obviously!).

Edited April 27, 2007 by stina&suj

[Aymerlu 3]

When people like to find faults in others and are rude, they themselves have their own faults that need to be delt with. I don't think a lot of the rude comments would be made if people were face to face. But then again, I'm sure there are overall rude people that would do the same to ones face. Those on VJ that know me, know that I'm the same on and off line. Why be different online?

[brnidokiegurl 1]

I think some people take up a sense of being someone else on the computer, like an escape, for whatever reasons. I think the rudeness is a cover up for something, I believe im pretty much myself.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Online, I come across as someone who is very serious and sometimes lacks a sense of humor. I guess that's just because of the way I write and what I write about. In real life, however, I can be very silly and I very often make my fiancee laugh.

I think in general, I am more comfortable being around people in person, as opposed to the Internet. I like being able to see and hear them, instead of just reading typed words. Maybe that's why I let my guard down more in real life, but while online, I act more rigid.

[Widge 0]

I find myself being exceedingly careful in a forum like this to not offend ANYONE - not knowing other peoples religious, social, political beliefs makes me tread very carefully in real life I try no less to offend but tend to be able to "see' who I m actually talking to so that makes it much easier to judge when your true opinions can be aired or when it is best to just "be nice" for the sake of a quiet life ............ hmm badly explained I care very much not to offend in both situations it is easier in real life to judge what effect your words can have than online.

[Fandango 1,440]

I'm the same on here as I am irl. Actually,I think on here I'm little bit more 'disclaimerish' cos ya don't have the benefit of facial expressions, tone, body language...so sometimes you have to be clear so there's no misunderstandings.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Maybe I'm just a figment of the subconscious . At any rate ( 18% ), if your looking for the real Hendrix experience, this is it.

[ya falaha! 0]

I'm pretty much the same online as offline. I'm generally "nice" to ppl but if something annoys me, I say something, if something doesn't strike me as "right", I say something. Basically I say what's on my mind. I may come off "bitchier" online but I think it's because you can't hear the tone in my voice showing that I'm not trying to be bitchy. I'm not an overly bubbly person. I have my moments. I'm not overly outgoing either. Once I warm up to a person, I'm friendly.

[Welshcookie 17]

I am also pretty much the same. Most of the time I am easy going but if someone touches a nerve I can bite online and off.....just ask my hubby

[LaL 418]

if someone acts completely different in chat than they do on the forum, it gives me pause ... but yeah, I tend to think i am pretty much the same.

[govols 1]

I am pretty much the same too. I try to think before responding to a thread, especially if it's going to be a negative comment. You can't it back once you've typed it out. It's not worth hurting someone's feeling just to get a laugh.

Karen

ETA just don't piss me off...I do bite!

Edited April 27, 2007 by govols

[missjones 0]

I am the same as I am online. When I meet people online or in person, I always go the extra mile to be respectful. Simply because I don't know the other person well and because we all come from different backgrounds with different experiences, and most importantly, different opinions, I try not to offend anyone.

I am glad someone posted this, because when I first joined and posted on VJ, some comments I received were very rude. No, ridiculously rude. And I strongly had to convince myself that this is ONLINE NOT IN PERSON, because I wanted to kick some a**. (Yes, while I’m pregnant.)

I have noticed two people in particular who post their smart mouth comments on every one else’s page. Although they have experience, they take pleasure in making people feel stupid. I strongly believe these individuals, as others, would not address someone the way they do online. All I can say is keep it real. Don’t use the internet as “protection” from an a** whoopin’, seriously. It’s not funny. And it makes people like me cross my fingers and pray that your personal information come up on my computer somewhere, because I will hill-billy my pregnant a** to your place of residence and slap you to sleep. Obviously, I have no tolerance for people who are rude to others.

(If anyone finds something offending in this reply, then please send me a PM, thank you.)

~Miss Jones

[JoeMama 0]

Reading whatever is considered rude or inconsiderate, on here, ain't nothing. It's nothing but just text and characters. No reason to ever get bent about it. But, I would love to see someone who really enjoys talking ####### on here, do it to someone actually being face-to-face! Having an anonymous face on the internet, they can personify being Superman or Wonder Woman or whatever superhero they think they are. There's a quite few on here, I know I would not be the only one who would knock them on their sissy butts if they spoke to me they way how they instigate ####### or engage people here! Talk is talk. Action is what I'm talking about!