Ever wonder if people you talk to on the internet are portraying themselves realistically?

7ball Message Board

Anon

1. yes.

2. some others, yes.

jesusmusicgirl

1. yes. I act exactly the same in "real life" as i do on the 'net.

2. yes, most of the time. I think everybody knows people on the net you can tell they arent really like they seem to be. I've met people off the internet, and its not...like people were pyschO, they just have different mannerisms when you're actually TALKING to them instead of typing to them :)

wedge

1. Yes. It may not seem so initially but once you get to know me a bit I'm every bit as irritating in real life as I am here.

2. No, not usually. Some people do though, just not all. I've always said I would never post anonymously and I don't intend to start now, so...sorry about that.

[wedge]

one_violent_femme

1. yes. i am almost exactly the same in person. i've met people in person from online...and most of the time it's strained cos they don't act the same..with the exception of one friend of mine. that was a kick in the pants for me to remember to always be real. i expect that of everyone else, i should live up to my own standards.

2. 7 times out of 10, i'd say no. with the exception of people i've been friends w/ before chatting with. most people are much more outgoing online. that sorta bites. but i know what it's like to feel much more confident online than person-to-person. i've found though, that over the 3 years i've been online, my original portrayal of myself has been mirrored into who i really am.

Ninja Punk

YES! AND YES!

honest answers

anon2

1. Yes, i am absolutely honest with everyone...i joke, but im not into that mess. its dumb. i mean, i have met people on here that have encouraged me more than words could ever express and that could have ONLY happened through God working with both of us. i dont try to make this "cool" person for anyone else. i AM cool, i dont need to act it.

2. well basically everyone i KNOW know i believe...but if they feel they need to secure themselves by trying to be popular on here, then they have some probs cuz DONT WE SEE ENOUGH OF THIS OFF THE NET!? but i know there are people that are completely different on here than in real life.

B3

1. well, for the most part, yes. I choose to leave some things unsaid (and thats when i sprout these other "personalities". I do that because i think that there is a certain way that people see me. I dont want to foul that image by asking a stupid question or saying whats on my mind. Im opinionated, but at the same time, i dont want people to know what i think.

2. i cant say that they do. From what I have seen on the net, and from the people i know, their persona on the internet is close to what would be their real self. But i dont know anyone on the net close enough to know that is true. There are a few people that would surprise me by saying that "im not really like this in real life", but i dunno. --B3

Anon3

1. Yes, and no. Depending where on the net I am, I let certain sides of me show, but I don't think there is anywhere on the net where I am 100% myself. This board is probably where I'm closest to showing all of myself. But even in "real life" I kind of am a slightly different person with each type of group of people I'm with at the time.

2. Depends on the person, depends where on the net I am. You're welcome! Hope this helps.

Bartman

1. Yes

2. On this board, most seem realistically. But on AOL, I wouldn't trust anyone any further than I could throw them.

rudechick

1. yes. definitely. i have nothing to hide, but i do keep a lot of opinions to myself, so that i don't hurt people'sfeelings, ya know?

2. no. not everyone. but even in real life people put on a face for others, like life is a big show, and you have to be a big fake for people to like you.

nothingboy

1. Yes. It all depends where I am / what I'm doing to what sides of my personality shows though. I know I come across differently on here than I do when talking on IM with some old friends from VA. It's all just different sides of who I am, like I don't joke around very much on here, but I do when I'm chatting and some other things. Also, I have made up names at times when I'm gonna say something on here that I would prefer to stay anonymous on.

2. I think for the most part yes, here at least, but in a few other forums I don't believe that for one second.

Taletha

1. pretty much, i'm a little shyer in real life, but not that different.

2. most of the time, i trust almost everyone, but there have been exceptions. alright

the anonymous Orpheus

1. sometimes. I mean... it depends on who I'm talking to. If someone's treating me like a friend, I'll portray myself as a friend. If someone's treating me like a rock star, I'll portray myself as a rock star. If someone's treating me like a sex god... well you get the picture. I just emphasize certain parts of my personality at different times.

2. I don't think so... everyone has their own little facades on the internet. whether it be a large one or not. Sometimes people let it down... some easier than others, but most people act pretty different on line. anonymously, Orph

Leslidiana

Yes to both questions.

Quiet Storm

1) Yes, I always portray myself honestly on the net.

2) Yes and no. I believe that while a lot of people are honest on the net, there are the others that don\'t. It\'s simply a matter of how much you really actually know about them.

JayAre

Yes i give an honest look at how i am and i hope that the person i talke to dose to

Anonymous

1. Yes, I try to convey my emotions very descriptively. I think it makes a conversation much better. Im's, or IRC, or anything else that is a real-time chat program, should be used like this, in my opinion. Not like letters...just type exactly how you talk! :P

2. No. Some people act like different things online. That's a common thing. Oh well, them's the breaks.

Anonymous

1. No, I can say things that are honest and that might embarass me face to face. Yes, my base online personallity is honest as to who I am, but not always who life allows me to be. Is that to deep?

2. No, I think that people new to a group are often being who they want to be not really themselves. But...the truth will find them out. Most of the time who they really are comes out if they stay around a while.

Anonymous

1) I don't usually lie about myself online. I am actually very open online because i don't have to face people face to face or worry about their impressions they get of me or the stereotypes because i won't ever see them so i dont' worry about it.

2)I usually don't think that people are honest online, it causes me to be more cautious to people, not telling them about specifics about me, (where i live, my full name, etc)

Anonymous

1) I am better at conveying my emotions to others online than i am in real life. I am very open online and honest with people. In real life i try and hide everythign i feel as to not make others mad, but online i feel i can show my real true feelings, unfortuanaly they can get out of control but yes it is easier to show feelings online than rea life.

2) I try not to judge people and say whether or not they are lieing to me. I trust most people online till they give me a reason not to but i am cautious of them, as they are me, natrualy

Stevepipe

1) YES

2) NO

annonymous

Question 1: Yes.

Question 2: For the most part, Yes.

nobody y'all know

1. Yes, I am very honest about myself and who and what I am. Unfortunately, sometimes too much so. I wish I felt comfortable showing only the good sides of me, but I have a desire to be known and loved for who I really am - flaws and all - and it is counterproductive to me to lie about things. I'd rather have the hurt of someone knowing all about me and rejecting me, than the doubt of "If they really knew me they wouldn't want to talk to me" or having a relationship establish and later on, have someone cut ties based on a "discovery" about me.

2. Most of the people with whom I am close on the net are, I feel, 100% honest with me. (The biggest doubt I have, most times, is whether or not they actually like me as much as they say! LOL) There are many I have met, however, who have lied in various ways. In some cases, I have lost all desire to talk to a person, in others I have merely backed off the friendship, because that element of trust has been damaged. I'd be interested to know what results you get from this survey. Thanks for listening! (c:

Peaches

1> Yes I am honest about who I am

2> yes, for the most part

God Bless you too!!

Me Me Me Me :)

yes...i cannot be anyone but ME!

no....not always, but then again, we can hope on some of them.

somebody

1. YES! always!!

2. Not always.....but the ones that I am close friends with...YES.

ReZ

1. YES..I have made a point not to deceive people about who I am...However, I do feel that I am more open with people than I may be in person....I think I stress my opinions more and share personal things more than I would in person.... And although I am not a "huggie" person in real life.. it is not because I don't want to be, it is because I wasn't raised that way, but I am striving to be more feeling and open with others face to face ..*S*

2. Yes... for the most part. I have missed characterized people whom I though I knew, but maybe my expectations of them were too high??? I don't think I have been intentionally mislead by anyone *S*... I hope this helps...God Bless!!!

anon

#1: yes

#2: yes-no...I think that most people do portray themselves realistically...but I'm sure that there are some that don't...I have only gone into the Christian Chat Rooms and not a lot of other things on the net...I do believe that a great majority in these rooms are truthful.

Anon

1. Yes - with the exception of my name. I try not to give out to much info...example: address, phone numbers. Most of the "chat" stuff is ok.

2. Yes - using the same format that I use, However I do know that there are some nuts out there trying to trap children...and I do not like that idea at all. I also think most people fudge on their age. (many do that face to face)ha!

(optional)

1. I believe that I do because who else could be me? (hehehe--I am blonde. *hint, hint*)

2. Some do, some don't. Like, we have a friend here that came in under a certain guy name that really isn't that guy name and I don't want to confuse you any further...

Yet AnOtHeR anon survey-filler-outer

1. Yes, I do my best to be me. It's not all that hard since I'm me and no matter how I behave, I'm still being myself. :o)

2. Some do, some don't. I know this as a fact since I've been the monitor of a chat room and seen people who try decieving others. I've also made some good friends over the internet. I'm convinced that all of them are as real to me as I am to them.

Another anon survey-filler-outer

1. Yep. As best as I can.

2. Yeah - I've never considered otherwise. I would be surprised if they didn't anyway. This is interesting.. I wonder why I never thought of this...

anonymous survey-filler-outer

1) I try to portray myself as realistically as I possibly can without meeting that someone face-to-face, because you never know when you could actually meet that someone you are talking to.

2) Yeah, I think so, at least with my good friends I've met and have talked to a lot.

Nonny Mouse

1. Yes, I do belive I prtray myself honsetly on the net.

2. I HOPE people are doing the same for me. If they don't, why I'll......

Me

1. hmm, i think so.....yes, I try as hard as I can with this difficult medium to portray who I am.

2. Yes I think they do.

Juliet

yeah,yeah

Me

1. Answer: I don't attempt to hide who I am. I am aware that people are sometimes surprised at the way I look after they talk to me, but I don't hide how I look. The worst thing I've ever done in this regard is remove a pimple from a photo. But since I don't usually have any, I thought it was fair enough :).

2. Yes. However, 99% of those I converse with are either people I know personally, or people who are in the RP church -- which means I can probably check up on them if I want to :).

Roy

Yes, I do think I portray myself realistically to others on the net.

Mostly yes to the second question. I think some people might make things up.

Sarah

1.I mostly protray myself as who I am-little things like saying I', 14 when I'm not quite-I'll be very very soon. 2. Not always

Froggy

I do realistically portray myself ...except for maybe the fact that I'm a little more shy in person. But thats to be expected right?

I think most for the time others are honesty and portray themselves realistically to me...but definitely not always...there is too much room to deceive for various reasons.

unknown

1.yes, sometimes, on chistian webpages yes, on chat lines, no 2.no

Name: Andrew Taumoefolau

1.In your honest opinion, do you portray yourself realistically to others on the net? On the whole, yes. I don't deceive people into thinking I'm anything that I'm not, and the personality that you see on the 'net is, rather scarily, the same as my personality in real life :). I'm more awkward socially in real life - it's far easier to just slip into conversations with people you don't know on the web than it is in "real" life - but otherwise... yeah. If you know me online, you know me :).

2.Do you think others portray themselves realistically to you? Depends on who the "others" are. I think most of the people here have given up on the various facades that many people on the 'net employ (thankfully), but the anonymity provided by the 'net allows people to behave in a manner very unlike the on they use in real life. Overall, I'd say those that act unlike they do in real life outnumber those that don't. Unfortunately. I wish the 'net was less anonymous, because people act like idiots just because they can... oooh, there's been a lot of times when I've wanted to reach into the computer screen and throttle the person on the other side :).

Name: Tortolia

1) More or less. I type like I talk, have the same opinions, and all that. Like Andrew, I'm a bit more awkward IRL, but nothing major.

2) That honestly depends on where you are. This place seems to have dropped most pretentions, but that's also pretty unusual.

Name: The Seeker

1. Yes.

2. I'm begining to wonder about some, but for the most part, yes.

Name: Garford

1. Mostly yes. I'm a very pestimistic person in real life, and this is the sole aspect that I don't really portray on the net. Other than that, what you see is how I behave out of the net(ie crazy, insomniac etc......)

2. I believe so. It would usually take some time to do so. Due to the fact that we can't really see each other, you'll feel more willing to ta;l about yourself then in real life

Name: Goldie Lox

1) Yes...I act like I do around my close friends on the net because I have no fear when it comes down to whether I will be accepted or not. In real life, I am kind of shy until I get to know a person pretty well, and at that point I open up and act like I would. On the net, I always act open and without any shyness.

2) I would have to say yes, because I can't see any reason for people, especially here, to pretend to be someone that they are not. Obviously, I can't tell if they are who they say they are but I feel like they are acting open and honestly with me, as I am with them.

Name: Zeus

1. In your honest opinion, do you portray yourself realistically to others on the net? - yes. You see, I am Zeus. I can drop a bolt of lightning anytime... (EDITED OUT)... Seriously, yes i do. I type the way I talk and talk to the people at the Shrine the same way I do to everyone at home. I will answer you directly and take offense to nothing. That's just me. I don't believe in acting any other way. What you see is what you get with me, in real life or on the 'Net, it doesn't matter. It's the same old King of the Gods :-)

2. Do you think others portray themselves realistically to you? - only after they become accustomed to you, and rarely in a public place, much like real life. It takes a while, that's for sure. The reason I've got to know so many people well (as well as you can on the 'Net) is because of ICQ. That's where you really find out about people and were you just talk. In fact, you'll probably find people will reveal more about themselves sooner to you on the 'Net than in real life due to the anonymity involved, which makes a huge difference. So, for the most part, yeah, I do believe people portray themselves realistically to me, even more than in real life. They have zero incentive to do otherwise.

Name: Kladibo

1)Yes, quite.

2)Here at the Shrine, yes. A lot of other places, no.

Name: Darkheart One

Numero Uno: Yes. And no. I'm a nut, but not as bad as you think. Still, my gift of Random is nice to show off now and then...

Numero Dos: Hell no. Well, most of 'em don't. Some I really know, and they can't fool me anymore, but I'm still not sure if some netters are really what they say. Not to disrespect, or anything, mind you...

Name: Angelkiller 404

yes.

no.

In any order.

Name: Drexle

1. Physically? Mentally? I'd say yes on both counts. I'm just a fairly honest person, and what I say about myself is true.

2. Well, I can't be sure on a lot of counts... I'm fairly sure that the majorety of my online aquaintences are ortraying themselves accurately. Not that it really matters to me.

Name: Flip

1. Most of the time. In this place, yes. in places like starcraft forums where people flame all the time, no. On ICQ, yes.

2. in this place, yes. In other places, hard to tell.

Name: Agent 57

1. Yes indeed.

2. I hope so. Most of the people here, yes.

Short but sweet. bye now....

Name: kent

1) My personality is the same on the net and in person but I do hide (as in not speak of) a lot of other things.

2) Yes, I do.

Name: RogueWarrior121

1) Yes most of the time.

2) Sometimes I wonder around here but otherwise I would say NO.