Are We Different Online

[nailit]

Are we different online (here on AB for instance) than we might be in 'real' life?
Just got me thinking because Ive just posted on goodlifes post in R&S and while my post was not intended to be confrontational, I realised that I would not be so 'upfront' with a very close friend of mine,who is a retired pastor, in real life.
Is there something about cyber space that allows us to 'let the dogs out' when normally we would reign it in a bit?
Thanks.

[Traci66]

I am actually more restrained on line, as I don't know people personally I tend to not actually say what I am thinking some of the time. I manage to upset people in real life a lot more than I do online.

[ummmm]

I'm nicer in real life.

[Gromit]

I am.

I am reserved, shy, a wallflower in real life.
On here I am King Cnut :-)

[nailit]

That's interesting Traci66 thanks, much of what I see online is mankind at its worst.

[Prudie]

I'm also far more restrained online than I am in real life but I don't think that's true for many ABers. I've seen how people come down on you if you say something iffy on here, far nastier than real people so I watch my step.

[nailit]

//I'm nicer in real life//
You're nice on here as well ummmm :-)

[nailit]

//I am reserved, shy, a wallflower in real life. //
Don't tell fibs now Grom.....

[Traci66]

In real life things just come out of my mouth without me thinking, but on line, having to type, it tends to give me pause for thought.

[nailit]

//I'm also far more restrained online than I am in real life //
Might be hard to believe Prudie but so am I.....

[Eleena]

Hi Nailit,
I'm pretty much the same on here as offline, may be a little more direct offline. It does fascinate me watching the spats on here escalate between some & I do wonder if that would be the case face to face between the same people.

[nailit]

//It does fascinate me watching the spats on here escalate between some & I do wonder if that would be the case face to face between the same people//
Wonder the same myself!
Ive got friends who I disagree with on politics, religion, ideas, life, etc but theres no animosity between us.

[Eleena]

Because you have familiarity with friends, you know what's at the heart of them & they & you accept each other for who you are, you & they wouldn't be friends if you didn't have a mutual appreciation on some level. Online we don't have that as an indicator.

[Baldric]

No, why would we be?

[Islay]

No I am the same here as I am on real life

[marval]

I don't think I am any different on here.

[Tilly2]

I tend to mind my p's and q's online. I don't say half the things I'd love to say.

Having said that, I'm quite diplomatic in my dealings with people in everyday life.

However, I think a lot of online poster say things they wouldn't say if they were face to face with the person they were dealing with.

[Baldric]

Why is it with a question like this, a lot of people take it upon themselves to state how they think others behave?

[Mamyalynne]

I think I'm much the same online as I am in life - maybe a little braver.

[nailit]

Baldric
//No, why would we be?//
Because we can.

[Tilly2]

:-)