Is it easier to make friends on CC than real life?

I feel like I have made some good friends on CC, and I have only been here since the beginning of May.  We support each other through the ups and downs.  I can always depend on someone uplifting my day, and I hope I do the same for someone else every day.  (Insert thank you to said uplifters)

I don't have any friends in real life, besides my husband, haven't in a long time, and I was wondering what the difference was.  Here are the reasons I came up with:

1. There is so much more opportunity to socialize here on CC than in real life.  In real life, the few times a week I have contact with "possible friends", one or both of us have kids tugging on their arms, whining at being still, or at least having to watch said kids to make sure they don't run off.
2. On CC, people share their troubles, sometimes baring their soul, more so than in real life, so I can get to know them better.  I actually know their ups and downs.
3. On CC, I feel free to make comments and suggestions, where in real life, I would hold back for fear fo saying something to offend.
4. On CC, there is the wonderful ability to think about and edit what I say before anyone ever hears it.

Does anyone else feel this way, or do I have some sort of social problem?  (OK, I know I have mild social anxiety and hermitish tendencies, but nothing severe like it might sound.)

Oh, and am trying to get the house cleaned so I can start inviting people over in real life to have conversations in a better environment - I was just wondering about the differences between real life and internet friendships.

Real life is way easier than calorie count.  In real life I can be myself and if I'm sarcastic or silly, my friends get it.  On here, there's no body language to mitigate comments, and somebody is always waiting to misinterpret what is said.

Original Post by rosieblue:

Real life is way easier than calorie count.  In real life I can be myself and if I'm sarcastic or silly, my friends get it.  On here, there's no body language to mitigate comments, and somebody is always waiting to misinterpret what is said.

^This.  This is why I lurk more than post.  Honestly, you guys in the lounge really crack me up, and I don't think I can compete!

Original Post by mom2thedrl:

Original Post by rosieblue:

Real life is way easier than calorie count.  In real life I can be myself and if I'm sarcastic or silly, my friends get it.  On here, there's no body language to mitigate comments, and somebody is always waiting to misinterpret what is said.

^This.  This is why I lurk more than post.  Honestly, you guys in the lounge really crack me up, and I don't think I can compete!

Yes, it's intimidating.

puh8suwrux, you're the second person this week who has said they don't have friends.  I don't understand it, you and the other person are funny, articulate, interesting, seemingly nice people.  I keep wishing I was like you.

Thank you, Rosieblue - that's so very nice of you to say - you gave me warm fuzzies.  And I think I found a "niche" in the lounge!

But I really do feel that people open up more when they are more anonymous, so even if you don't know their real names, you come to know them better as a person.  Maybe that is just people like me, who tend to be more reserved in person.

I agree with you rux. The reasons you listed? I couldn't have put it any better myself. A lovely side effect of making great friends here is over time they become great friends IRL too.

My RL friends are fun but few and due to geography and responsibilities, we don't get together very often. If offered the choice between an evening out with RL friends and CC friends, I'd be out with moofles, kingyboi, bagga, lulu, pEww, Ruth, buggs, and j. No doubt.

And one more thing - I love being able to zing in, make a comment, zing out, then come back in and still be on top of the conversation.  I can't do that on a telephone...

I cherish the friends that have chosen to stick with me since I've been on this site.   One particular Worry Wart even managed to find my real address and send me a What's Happening? note in the mail!  This site is very much a Recovery Group for me.  The folks in my 'real' neighborhood don't have much in common with me.  And maybe I am here partly cause folks can't stare at my dusty house or the weeds in my gardens!  They do get to hear about my 'uglies' but they don't see the real thing.  Also, I tend to write easier than I speak so this is an easier place for me to communicate.  Don't know if this makes sense.  I've never been the type to join the Glee Club etc.  I admit to certain anti-social attitudes.  I probably would not have joined onto this site so long if I hadn't participated in a recovery group first- I learned tons about not being judged and what it felt like to be included, no matter what I looked like or did, so long as I had respect for the folks in the meetings.  

Original Post by mom2thedrl:

Original Post by rosieblue:

Real life is way easier than calorie count.  In real life I can be myself and if I'm sarcastic or silly, my friends get it.  On here, there's no body language to mitigate comments, and somebody is always waiting to misinterpret what is said.

^This.  This is why I lurk more than post.  Honestly, you guys in the lounge really crack me up, and I don't think I can compete!

There's a lounge?!?

I'm totally anti-social in real life.  I have friends, but rarely do anything with them, which is fine with me.  I'm just too practical.  I'll help someone paint their living room or work in their yard but I hate all the purely social activities that seems to define modern friendship.  I don't want to go to the movies or out to dinner or have a jewelry party.  But I will can tomatoes with you.  Hard to find friends of my generation like that.

Original Post by whitewave:

Original Post by mom2thedrl:

Original Post by rosieblue:

Real life is way easier than calorie count.  In real life I can be myself and if I'm sarcastic or silly, my friends get it.  On here, there's no body language to mitigate comments, and somebody is always waiting to misinterpret what is said.

^This.  This is why I lurk more than post.  Honestly, you guys in the lounge really crack me up, and I don't think I can compete!

There's a lounge?!?

Never mind! I found it...color me bad...

I dislike about 98% of you. You're mostly stereotypical women talking about your stereotypical problems. I come here to make myself feel superior!

Original Post by jackattack07:

I dislike about 98% of you. You're mostly stereotypical women talking about your stereotypical problems. I come here to make myself feel superior!

 Aren't you precious.

Original Post by pavlovcat:

I'm totally anti-social in real life.  I have friends, but rarely do anything with them, which is fine with me.  I'm just too practical.  I'll help someone paint their living room or work in their yard but I hate all the purely social activities that seems to define modern friendship.  I don't want to go to the movies or out to dinner or have a jewelry party.  But I will can tomatoes with you.  Hard to find friends of my generation like that.

You can be my friend anytime... In fact, I am moving next week... Wanna help?

I have no friends, only minions. And it is significantly easier to find minions online.

I wonder why.

Perhaps it's my Body Odor? Or my Aura of Evil?

Sincerely,

The Lord and Master

I don't know, I feel the opposite. I fight more on here, most of the people I associate with in real life though are on the same page and there's not so much to argue about.

So I have more friends in real life than on CC

Original Post by jackattack07:

I dislike about 98% of you. You're mostly stereotypical women talking about your stereotypical problems. I come here to make myself feel superior!

 You must have been in cptbunny's "sadness is..." thread before it was deleted.

I feel the exact same way it is so hard to make friends in real life. I do have social anxiety and hermitish tendencies so I know exactly what you mean.  Kids do have some to do with it I have to of my own. I haven't had a friend in 9 years since my first child was born. If kinda sucks!!!

Original Post by jackattack07:

I dislike about 98% of you. You're mostly stereotypical women talking about your stereotypical problems. I come here to make myself feel superior!

 Hey!  I'm not stereotypical!  I am a unique individual, just like everyone else.

I think it is more difficult to make friends on CC than in the real world.  I have been mostly a lurker but recently started replying to posts.  I haven't made a friend here yet.