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I asked a friend who knows me in real life (not a close friend but an acquaintance) and from a forum where we met. She said I’m very similar but much warmer in real life.
Yeah, I'm the same person, but I do present myself differently in different situations.
For instance, years ago I took an online optimism test and scored 52% optimistic and 48% pessimistic. When I shared the results, my coworkers said I was much more optimistic. The close friends I carpooled with said I was more pessimistic.
So it's not just online vs in person, it varies from group to group.
Online I found many places where I can share my opinions and experiences. In real life there doesn't seem to be as much opportunity to express yourself.
This is the only forum I am involved in. I try to stay generic online. At first I didn't reveal my gender. I don't discuss where I work, live, my age. I don't engage in controversial or political discussions. In real life I am very involved in my work and various activities. I tend to poke fun of trolls and spammers online because of some of the silliness I see (especially in the fitness forum). In real life I try my hardest to be considerate to everyone.
I'm pretty much the same person on line as I am in person. I enjoy "hearing" so many different voices and perspectives joined in a conversation that would be unlikely to happen in person. On a forum, one person can't as easily dominate a discussion - and if you don't like their attitude, you can just move on to the next posting. On the other hand, even the most quiet and less forward has a chance to speak and be heard, whereas in person sometimes they are drowned out by the more outgoing or outspoken.
I'm probably more verbose online than in person - you get a chance to get your thoughts out to make a point. I think I'm fairly direct and never write or say things that I don't think, feel or believe - and I'm not very confrontational or aggressive - both online and in person.
You make some good points. I like reading various points of view in a thread, and like to hear things I’ve never considered. Of course you read some nonsense, as well.
I am more likely to call out what I consider nonsense here, than I am in real life. I have to get along with people face to face, although I have said, “I disagree.” I will not argue with people in person, although I might try to present an alternate view. But most of my personal interactions are not serious.
In fact in my personal interactions, I laugh a lot and make cheerful small talk. I don’t do that here nearly as much. In my working life, I learned to put on a cheerful public persona, and I do it instinctively now.
I have written in this forum about personal family stuff that I never would talk about to friends.
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