Is your personality the same online as in the "real world"

[ellie]

Just wondering.

I think I'm more honest online and you get more of a true sense of who I am. A lot of the things I mention on here or other forums is me being more open. Most of my friends wouldn't know what I like, think most of the time.

For example I could never admit to my friends that "Felicity" the tv show was one of my favourite shows and I purchased all seasons of it - lol!

I also don't think my friends realise how much I love celebrity gossip.

How do you stack up - online v offline?

[Akashic_Librarian]

I am pretty similar online as I am offline. there are some difference of course. Buts thats because I keep different company in real life.

[Matthew Shea]

I think that in general, people's true nature comes out more online than in real life. In other words, if you're naturally a jerk, you'll tend to be a real ass online. If you're naturally reserved and thoughtful, you'll be more so online. I know that's true for me. Anonymity lends itself well to that.

[Jayne]

I'm pretty much the same. What you see is what you get - in person or online. I actually have a lot of very close friends who I met online, and think they would agree. I might be a little more diplomatic in person sometimes - but that's mainly because I write much better than I speak. It gives my synapses a little longer to connect.

[Old Soul]

I am the same online as offline, with exception that I keep somethings back of course, personal family info, I do not share that or at least just a little

I am a little cautious online, but not intimidated by open forums etc, I think the www has been good at bringing people together, for me it has worked wonders because I love to learn about new things or research things, so for me it has helped me build confidence in myself....

I think the WWW gets a bad rap too ...... the media always reveals the horror stories of internet and never the other side,

if you think about it what better way than to bring the world together , feel less isolated or seperate , i think it is great

[Erki]

I think people see more of myself on the net, but still not everything though. I don't think I'm going to pour my whole heart out here but generally, and as the title suggest, you can see more of my real personality(but not juicy details).

And I just hope I don't come across as a jerk.

[openeyes]

I'm much more wild/less serious in person. It's simply difficult to go streaking, skinny dipping, or make out with everyone in the room online (all of it done quite meditatively). Also massage is a major part of my standard behavior.

I enjoy the internet for coming across new ideas, but I'm very physical/affectionate in my way of knowing people, and that's much more easily done in the "real world" for now. Just wait 'til virtual reality though ...

[BookWorm74]

Online - much more logical and risk taking
Offline - kind of more fun oriented than thought oriented

[Jenny]

This is an interesting question and something that I've been wondering about myself. The best answer I can come up with is that it both is and isn't the same as my personality in the "real world"

It is easier for me to be open online than person to person but that is the very thing that makes me suspect that my personality isn't quite the same. I take the time (usually) to be more thoughtful in my responses and opinions online not because I'd necessarily do/say anything different in person but because I have the luxury of time. I also wonder how important all of the little things about my real world personality such as the hesitations, smiles, purse-lipped headshakes and so forth are. I wonder if perhaps they matter more in communicating myself than I realize.

All that said, observing and understanding the differences between my online personality and my personality in the "real world" is slowly shaping them both.

[ellie]

Really interesting to hear all your thoughts.

One thing though, that I think others might perceive of me online is to be a lot younger than I am. I sometimes feel I sound quite immature. I'm in my late 20's.

However, in the "real world" I think people think I'm more reserved and quiet but still friendly

[A.K.Light]

Online, I'm not as goofy. I can't make weird faces at people and they can't hear my tone of voice.

[Keith]

I'm pretty similar. I'm more considered online though, since I can go back and edit my words.

[brandi]

I'm more open on line. I do more flirting than i would in real life.
I would say i have acute social anxiety and i feel less awkward on line than ido in person.

[Andrew Brunelle]

I believe people are more open online because there is a certain anonymity here where no one really knows who you are and you are basically completely safe. I mean,if you insult someone, there is a much less chance that they will hurt you, seeing that they most likely do not know who you are. Also, you can bear your soul to someone who you have never met in real life and there is no real risk because you do not know this person and even if they do not repsond, you really have nothing to lose.

There are no awkward pauses online either.

[Shamou]

Deep down, I believe that we are basically the same online as we are in person... a liar in real life will be a liar online... and a braggart in real life will still be one online... same for a timid or reserved person... or the boring jerk...

I believe that if we pay close attention to the prose... we know exactly who we are dealing with...

So... beware... I know who you really are...

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[Jill]

same for a timid or reserved person.

Nope, I couldn't disagree more. Online can often be a lifesaver for one who is timid and reserved in "real life."

Most of my life I was very timid and reserved, except around the closest of friends. But when I first got online, I completely came out of my shell. I do feel that was actually more the "real" me, or at least it was the me that lived inside my head who I could never really get to come out.

After years and years of being much more real online than offline, I did finally start to meld my dual personalities. Being online gave me the self-confidence I never had, and writing instead of talking enabled me to have a way with words I never had.

Today I'm much more like the real me in person than I ever was before. Having taken my online world (my business, my public speaking, and most of my best friends) into my offline world has made a huge difference.

Had the Internet never existed, I'm pretty sure I'd be a completely different person than I am today, and I'm truly grateful to have had the opportunity to try out my real personality online before giving it a whirl in the real world!

<added>I'm still not completely the same, and am still often quiet and reserved a lot of the time in real life, while being pretty "out there" online.

[Erki]

One advantage of online for the timid types is that it's easier to get your turn to talk. You don't have to wait for your turn and you can compose your message better so you get your point across better - not always easy to do in face to face(to face to face to face to...) conversations.

But what do you mean with online? Is instant messaging also online? Usually if I know my conversation partner better then I can obviously say more than what I say in forums.

[Shamou]

Originally Posted by Jill

Nope, I couldn't disagree more. Online can often be a lifesaver for one who is timid and reserved in "real life."

Very glad for you Jill that you are working your way out of that timidity because being timid must be quite a pain...

As far as what happens to a timid person online... I'll take your word for it... I'm just about as timid as a bull in a China Shop... so I'm certainly no expert on the subject...

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