Something about the person behind the poster

by free2beme 27 Replies latest jw friends

  • free2beme
    free2beme


    When I was new to message board posting, I once got a little to involved with the people and found myself sucked into debate and people getting all grouped up in support of one another. Yet, I had never met anyone on the message board. Until one day, one of the people who debated me the most mentioned where he worked and it was in a town about two hours away. I was going through it one time, weeks later, and thought it would be interesting to stop and see who this person was and maybe even introduce myself if I was brave enough to get into some hot debate there in person. Well I walked in, this was an auto parts store that was locally owned, and I could not see anyone working but a woman and I knew the person I was looking for was a man. So I stayed a little longer and soon a man came out of the back room and came up to me to ask if I needed help. He was about 5'4" balding and was very nervous acting and when I asked questions, he mumbled a lot and did not answer me by looking me in the eyes and frankly he seemed very scared with his interaction with people. I knew it was the man from the message board, as he had posted pictures of himself, and I decided it best to keep my identity to myself and went about my trip up the interstate. Yet it taught me a lesson I never forgot online, in that we are not always who we seem here and often writing words of debate online come easier then we would in person. So after that meeting, I never took an online debater with so much seriousness. I realized that often they were just working on a weakness they have in their real life and I should not allow them to ever get to me. Also, I realized that often I made the mistake of putting personalities to people online that were actually just aspects of myself and not the people themselves and I was just arguing the the attitude that I read into their debates, and in affect, arguing with myself and not the shy man working in the auto supply store that really existed behind the screen name.

    Have you ever had an experience like this one?

  • misspeaches
    misspeaches

    I can't say I have ever met another poster except for online.

    But your experience is a good thing to keep in mind. I am curious to know of any others....

  • bem
    bem

    I haven't had the same expierience. But I recently talked to someone that has and they had a very similar story. The person behind the poster was exact opposite as you would imagine from the way the person writes.

    As for people I've met from on-line. They have been like I imagined them to be, The opinion I had before meeting has been acurate. Some have turned into valuable friends. I'm really happy to have.

    I still am and would advise everyone to be careful of course.( my mothering instinct sorry) Cause we really never know.

    Dorothy

  • free2beme
    free2beme

    I always think of the stories that you hear about the young people online who think they are meeting someone their age some where and then show up to be kidnapped or killed by older sick men who claimed to be that person. Makes me realize how important the one on one visit is, to actually know and person and not the online image we present online.

  • FlyingHighNow
    FlyingHighNow

    I am me. What you see is what you get. But seriously, who gets into these kind of intense debates with people in person? I'm sure that most of us are more genteel in person, otherwise, we'd be getting punched in the nose a lot or pitchers of ice water poured over us.

    I'm short and quite plump by the way. And that's my face over there. If you came into my place of work, I work in sales, you'd find a smiling, very friendly and outgoing person, ready to help you in anyway possible. I get awards for my customer service skills. And it's all sincere, the interest I show in my customers. I'd rather put a smile in their day than sell them something they don't need. As a result, I make better sales numbers than most anyone I work with.

  • bem
    bem
    Makes me realize how important the one on one visit is, to actually know the person and not the online image we present online.

    It would be interesting meeting more of the people based on what you said Free2be. The appostafests are great for meeting people cause your with others. Probably would make a difference in our perception of what/who we are reading.

  • avishai
    avishai

    When I met folks at an apostafest, I was surprised that they were all better looking than their avatars. Hot apostates!!!!

  • horrible life
    horrible life

    Bem You remember when I invited you to ride with me to the Dallas apostofest, The offer still stands. Maybe you would like to freshen up, when you get here.

    alt HL

  • I quit!
    I quit!

    I haven't met any one this board yet except Randy W. who I met on several occasions but that was about 20 years ago. I have met several people I used to talk to when I posted on AOL. They were all very nice. I met a bunch of ex-dubs at the Irvine meet-up a few weeks ago but I don't think any of them post here. Every one I've met so far acts and looks pretty much like I thought they would. Except me of course, I'm very odd.

  • horrible life
    horrible life

    I quit: YOU are welcome in my home anytime.

    alt everybody always has a scream when they are here!!!! alt

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