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I would like to understand this phenomenon, in general. I have noticed that some people are more talkative, friendly, assertive, expressive, less shy etc. online than they are in person. I am wondering why that is?
A little background story to this question. I went to a friend's BBQ this weekend and met a guy. He seemed shy, and, frankly, I would have never thought he was interested in me, he didn't act that way. We were friendly, but again, he seemed like a shy type of personality. A couple of days later, he found me on OkCupid (he said it was a coincidence) and asked me out. I had to turn him down because he is far from my type, but then, he proceeded to be extremely assertive and persistent. I chalk this up to him feeling more courageous behind a computer screen. This is a far cry from the guy I met in person. What gives?
I agree. A lot of people have major insecurities that seem to vanish behind a computer screen and keyboard. It makes them feel as if they can be who they really are, without feeling self-conscious. I used to be that way, but I have learned to be more confident in myself.
I'm naturally an incredibly shy person who is very uncomfortable in certain scenes (happy hour at a bar or a big group in which I don't know anyone, for example). I was doing good for awhile but in the last year or so have been retreating back into that natural state of being. I still push myself out of my comfort zone though.
Online (here), I'm "speaking" to a bunch of people who I don't know, likely will never know and as a result, I'm not as concerned with what they think of me as I am with people who I have the chance of running into again over and over.
I learned that people can be more courageous behind a computer screen or a phone way back when I worked customer service 20 years ago. That's exactly it. Typing words or even talking on the phone is way different than talking to someone in person, face to face.
I'm naturally an incredibly shy person who is very uncomfortable in certain scenes (happy hour at a bar or a big group in which I don't know anyone, for example). I was doing good for awhile but in the last year or so have been retreating back into that natural state of being. I still push myself out of my comfort zone though.
Online (here), I'm "speaking" to a bunch of people who I don't know, likely will never know and as a result, I'm not as concerned with what they think of me as I am with people who I have the chance of running into again over and over.
There were only 5 of us at this BBQ. Is that a big group?
He likely will run into me again as we have mutual friends and they are planning to invite us over again.
Some people feel they can reinvent themselves when given the anonymity of online interactions. Probably people with social anxiety who freeze up when speaking to a member of the opposite sex in person don't have that problem when dealing with a computer screen, too.
Some people feel they can reinvent themselves when given the anonymity of online interactions. Probably people with social anxiety who freeze up when speaking to a member of the opposite sex in person don't have that problem when dealing with a computer screen, too.
Is it maybe because they react more to body language?
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