Are you the same way in person as you are online?

Does the internet give people a false sense of "bravado"? I have noticed people talk about certain subjects (i.e. race, politics, etc.) online in a manner that is different from even the liveliest face to face discussions.  Is it similar to the "liquid" courage that some drinkers display? Like when your relative/friend has had too much to drink and proceeds to tell you what they really think about you. 

I have heard that it's entertainment, stress relief, healthy debates, etc. but is it being fake?

Just thought I would give you night owls something to discuss as I am about to turn in...

Original Post by sweetpea62:

I am quiet and rarely say anything here..irl, I always have something to say.  I am opinionated, sarcastic, and will debate pretty much anything.  I'm not sure why I am not like that online.

 how long have you been on the forums? i'm thinking its just a matter of time.. :D - i was this way oh about six years ago when I discovered forums.

I've been around for a few years now.  Part of it is that I don't have the time to keep coming back to repost.  I am only here this morning because I took the week off from work.

I probably seem "nicer" and more put together online, since you get to choose which posts to respond to and have time to think of a good reply. whereas in "real life" you have to deal with other people/social situations no matter what your mood. if I'm not feeling great or just don't feel like replying on here, I don't have to, and there is a very small chance that I will ever snap at somebody. but in person I can get pretty annoyed or angry.

also, in person I'm a lot more sarcastic and snarky, and definitely more talkative.

and as far as seeming more put together and organized, in the real world I'm very jumbled, and I'm constantly known to mumble and talk too fast. but I've always been into writing, so when I'm posting something on the internet I can generate a well-written & descriptive response.

smarter online than in person because self-edit comes with spell check

i am the same on here as i am in real life, with both the response you get very much depends on my mood at that moment, it can vary from a grunt, to defending my opinion to the bitter end, to just laughing at the world to silence.

i'm like a box of chocolates you just never know what you're gonna git...

or

like the Scottish weather giving all four seasons in one day...

I would have to say I am different on-line only in the aspect that I speak more.  In real life I am much more quite, a push over should I say.  I was raised by a family who loved to tell me, "Better to be quite and "thought" a fool, then open your mouth and remove all doubt".  I always felt that nothing I had to say was important, I still struggle with that. 

On-line, people do not interrupt me, I can actually get a word in edgewise, if you know what I mean.  I still never discuss politics, religion, race, etc.  People have such wide views, and in my opinion that is their choice, who am I to say they are wrong or right. 

I enjoy online or chat conversations so much better because I feel like people are hearing what I am saying and not looking at me and judging me by my looks!

Original Post by trustwomen:

I am pretty much the same in person as online. I even speak in run-on sentences, no, it's true, I speak really quickly and people who know me read my emails and laugh because they say they can hear me saying the words in their head as they read.

This exactly lol.  Only difference I think in the online me and the irl me is that my shy side flares up when I'm with new people rather then ones I've known for years.  Also it takes a little to get out of that shell in person.  On the web I can just be more relaxed and not have those worries about what I look like, etc coming into play.

Thanks to everyone that responded.

I would like to add that in person or online what some people call being blunt is just being rude. I can't stand being around someone that always has something negative to say. You know the kind. You could tell them that the sky is blue and they want to debate the shade of blue that it is. I see some people do the same thing online.  Or the ones that have nothing constructive to say so they attack a person's intelligence OR physical attributes. Sounds like a bully to me...

I have had people (co-workers and a girlfriend) ask me why I won't participate in a discussion or go out with them for lunch etc. and I tell them "I don't enjoy your company because you're nasty for no reason".  Don't look shocked, I was just being "blunt" like you always are...ROFL

Yes.  I might be a little bit more tactful offline, but not by much.   I don't have the patience to coddle people or tiptoe around sensitive issues when brought up because it might hurt someone's feelings.  If you don't want to get an honest opinion from me, don't bring it up.  I'm just as sarcastic and inappropriate.

Same. My online self is a true reflection of my offline self. My actions, words, behaviors are consistent on and off-line. I'm sharing information and engaging in conversations that exchange information. Information that gives others insight into who I am as a person and what I think/do/believe/Etc. It wouldn't be difficult to recognize me off-line based on everything known online,Etc. People that know me both off and online have assured me of that. In general the only difference is others reaction to me.

Irl: People aren't quite so quick to jump to a conclusion in person. You can say the exact same thing without it coming off mean/rude/negative. The words are less questionable when in person. The reason being: They actually see your posture and hear the tone of your voice,Etc. Views collide daily off-line without the drama/arguments too.That's the only difference,imo. Some people imagine hostility/anger/etc in text.They give your text an attitude,Lol! Some people are just at a complete loss without body language,imho. I dislike an argumentative stance online and off-line. I expect disagreements, but not arguments.

I'm the same. I know who to censor myself around in real life though (in regards to atheism, abortion, etc). Like enchanting said, you can't hear the person's tone when you're reading their words online so I think people tend to read snarkiness into the words if they don't agree with that person. 

No, I am not the same. On-line I'm just another spider spinning yarns on the weird web, in real time I am a lioness after the kill lounging in the noonday sun.

Obviously you lot have NEVER been on the receiving end of a vindictive attack by a bunch of vicious and malicious horsewomen on a particular chatboard I know of.  Man, those women ranging between 28 and 50 odd absolutely pillory people who stand up for themselves or beg to differ.  Right down to ringing employers and telling lies about a baby not being the husband's (of an employee) threatening to tell employers about certain things said, blackmailing, releasing personal financial information (vet bills, etc).  Sheesh, if this is how these people are in life, I dread to think and would NEVER be their friend or even vague acquaintance.  I find that when that crap starts, I tend to become a far more dogmatic and obstinate person than I normally am.  Usually I'm pretty easy going but with a good idea of where I'm going and what is what and which way is up. 

I am not really the same person online.  I am actually funny in person but when I come on line I tend to get serious.  Stupid eh?  So people make fun of me here and I think "gee what did I do?"  lol 

 Religion and politics are topics I avoid online.  In part because I feel more exposed.  If I say something stupid there is always a pgeorgian (no offense intended) who can expose me in a heart beat.  That is not a bad thing - but I am generally not smart enough to fence. 

Besides - 75% of the time I am online my attention is divided.  I have spent 10 minutes trying to post these few sentences.  Now where was I going with it?

Original Post by madamq:

I am not really the same person online.  I am actually funny in person but when I come on line I tend to get serious.  Stupid eh?  So people make fun of me here and I think "gee what did I do?"  lol 

 I also consider myself much more humorous in person. Or, better put, other people find me much more funny irl. Here I've pretty much given up on jokes because people assume I'm either being serious or aggressive. Jokes just don't work the same, no matter how many smileys I use : )

I'm definitely funnier and more shy in real life. But mostly just funnier. Because my lame jokes and my sarcastic remarks are only funny because the sound of my voice makes them funny. Online, you're probably just like "uhhh, wtf this girl isn't funny," but  irl it is. I have this tone of voice that just makes everything funny. Or so I'm told.

That, and I'm more "literate" online I guess. I still have a wide vocabulary irl but I have more time to think what I want to say, and therefore have more time to think about the correct words I want to use.

And no bravado here. I'm still afraid to be an **** regardless of whether or not I'm online or offline. But I am more outspoken, I'll admit.

Original Post by merylwhite1:

I'd say I'm pretty much the same person online as I am in person. If I don't agree with you, I'd tell you. I like talking about religion, politics, sex and ethics in real life as well as online. I've never understood the don't-talk-about-religion-or-politics thing. Are we afraid to have opinions? Can we not have a debate about these things?

Its not that its wrong to have a debate...

But lets face it, those subjects become arguments where each side is trying to shove their own beliefs down eachother's throats.

Its just better not to "debate" about it.

Original Post by luhluhlovesongs:

Original Post by merylwhite1:

I'd say I'm pretty much the same person online as I am in person. If I don't agree with you, I'd tell you. I like talking about religion, politics, sex and ethics in real life as well as online. I've never understood the don't-talk-about-religion-or-politics thing. Are we afraid to have opinions? Can we not have a debate about these things?

Its not that its wrong to have a debate...

But lets face it, those subjects become arguments where each side is trying to shove their own beliefs down eachother's throats.

Its just better not to "debate" about it.

Sorry, Luhluhlove, have to strongly disagree here!

Of course it is just an argument when each side is trying to "shove their own beliefs down on another's throats" but a debate is when each side gives their own opinions and views and the other side respectfully listens and possibly disagrees, or maybe starts to view the subject from a slightly different angle.

It might be more comfortable for some to stick to "safe" subjects but I would much rather debate pro-life vs pro-choice than what to watch on tv after dinner!

Original Post by bagga:

No, I am not the same. On-line I'm just another spider spinning yarns on the weird web, in real time I am a lioness after the kill lounging in the noonday sun.

niiiiiiiice.

im a lioness who likes spiders. so whats with the crow avi?

I have no idea. I think I'd have to ask someone who knows me to look at my posts and say if I seem the same. I do know all the opinions I state, on anything from abortion to Twitter, are my genuine opinions and the same things I'd say about them in real life.