Are you different online?

[Contra Fates]

I know this is true with a lot of people, so I hope no one feels any shame in admitting it. Do you think you act differently online? If so, how do you? Do you wish you could act more like your online persona offline?

As for myself, I'm pretty even-keel when it comes to my online self and my offline one. I tend to be a little more shy offline, but it really depends on the people I'm socializing with. If they make me feel comfortable, then I'm practically identical, maybe a little more talkative, though. As far as 'saying things online but not offline,' I'm really not mean at all online, nor am I some 4channer running around slewing insults at everyone. I think people online can be just as real as the people I'd meet face to face, so why should I talk to them any differently than if they were standing in front of me?

That's my two cents, what's yours? =o

[Fuyumine]

I think I'm sort of like you when I'm offline. Offline I'm still full of personality and whatnot, but I am a little shier in the "real world" or what have you. Mainly that's because I'm the kind of person that doesn't show out unless I'm around those I'm comfortable with.

[Nami]

I believe I'm nicer online than offline... and I'm not very friendly online. The reason is because I tend to write differently than I speak. I know how to speak Standard American English, but I normally use Black Vernacular. My speech tends to slip in and out between Standard American English and Black Vernacular English.

However, I usually only write in Standard American English. I use Black Vernacular and leet sparingly. The reason is because I've been trying to ensure that the people I speak to understand what I say... a daunting task even when I do use Standard American English. I find that people tend to understand my writing better than my speech, however.

Also, I can think of what to type before typing it. This gives me time to think of how to best phrase things so as to not inflame the most hypersensitive of people. The ability to scream at my computer monitor before typing also helps. I also like to write double entendres... but fortunately for me they are rarely caught. Unfortunately for me, my tone of voice online is often mistaken for something other than what I intended. This is one way I can be percieved as being different in real life than online, though oftentimes it's not the case.

Other than that, I am pretty much just me. I don't know how not to be me (though that skill would come in handy now and then). I suppose I'm more formal online since I don't know online people. I tend to be more casual in real life. I don't like people on a whole, so I tend to keep to myself and mind my business... especially in the place I currently live. I use the internet as one way to build up my patience. So far, it hasn't worked very well.

[Mellusia]

Oh gosh, I'm SO different offline.

I'm far more meek and timid offline than online. I'm quiet and I tend to ignore people if I can and rarely get into a conversation.

Verbally, I lack eloquence in my speech. I'm sure I'm not a poet when I write things online, but I'm know at least a fraction of the words I use in writing I don't use in my actual speech.

Honestly, if I met anyone of you, you wouldn't think I was the same person you knew online >_>

[Cavallone]

I'm a completely different person offline than online, and it's perhaps for the better. I tend to think things through offline, as they tend to have a more direct, and often bigger consequence than if typed online. I'm somewhat the same, though -- I just tend to keep the crazy in my head, or expel it in small, trivial comments.

Either way, I'm still pretty lovable. Yeah. <3

[DK Dong]

I like to think I'm the same person offline as online. I'm a bit less sociable online (music, games and videos take up my time on the web), but my behavior and personality are pretty much uniform across the board.

I'm sure I don't come off the way I intend, though. I'd probably seem a bit more friendly and laid back in person since I can't associate tone or mannerisms with the words I type. Ah, well.

[Vecks]

I think I'm pretty much the same. I'm just as loud in real life as I am online and probably just as retarded xD. If I had to nitpick though I guess I am a bit more outspoken online than offline

[Sephiroth]

I dont consider my self diffrent to the people I know since they know how I act in real life and on the computer but on forums I act polite so I don't get on anyone's bad side ^^ xD

[Cid Kramer]

I'm the same person, i act online and offline as i am, but in diferent levels of shameness.

I'm more "me" online than offline, because i'm in contact with peple that i don't ever looked at in the "real" life and probably never will do it with you that is reading that.

I feel security here in my home. If i ofend someone, this person will not came here.

If i want to stop a conversation or never chat with certain peoples, i can solve it just one clicking.

[Fuyumine]

I'm the same person, i act online and offline as i am, but in diferent levels of shameness.

I'm more "me" online than offline, because i'm in contact with peple that i don't ever looked at in the "real" life and probably never will do it with you that is reading that.

I feel security here in my home. If i ofend someone, this person will not came here.

If i want to stop a conversation or never chat with certain peoples, i can solve it just one clicking.

That right there is the beauty of internet interaction. Want to cut off someone for the rest of your life? Simply do so... it's beautiful and awesome. Though, I'm not sure if that's good for my offline social skills.

[VxM Edgeworth]

Hmm....interesting.

Honestly, online that is, I tend to be a bit more intelligent. As weird as that sounds, I can actually type in and use, somewhat, proper grammar. What I mean by that, I rarely think to use common sense to things, at times. In RL, I definitely cannot sound like how I type. I guess it really depends on the situation. As far as my personality, it's win/win thing. Online, what you see is what you get. I'm a fun-loving person who's very passionate about what he does, romantic [yes, ladies that is true], I have a way with words, I love video games, and all that other stuff.

However, in real-life, I have a tendency to not like hanging out with people I do not know. Like the rest of you, in order for me to be the normal me, it has to be with people I know, or if thye make me feel comfortable enough, then hey.

Here's another question for you all...Isn't it better or easier to express opinions online, rather than outside of the 'net?

[dthc]

I don't think I am. It's easier for me to say certain things, but at the same time, those are only emotional things and the normal ones I just say. I'm generally more crude offline though. I fear banishment, so a lot of the shit I'd normally say gets left out. (ask Bret about that party with the interesting new pass out rule.)

[Aleister Black]

I'm definately more shy offline. The internet is a strange thing; it creates distance as well as brings people from long distances together. It's not online per say that makes me less shy; it's being able t write down what I want to say. Then I get the chance to think about it, delete it, refine it and so on, all wof which are things that are kinda hard to do when you say them out loud

That said, my personality as such doesn't change much at all. I'm pretty much the same guy as I am offline, I'm just more open than I'd usually be; save for things I feel are private enough to keep, well, private.

[xshedevilx]

I'd LOVE to say I'm the same. A-hole online and A-hole offline but really I'm not. I find myself to be more tolerant and nice online than offline. I suppose being able to block or ignore people raises my tolerance and patience level whereas I work in a social setting so I HAVE to talk to people and most people I just don't like. I'm not shy, either or, and I still maintain my talkative and rather hyper persona but when it comes to tolerance and patience I'm like an on and off switch.

Most people I do meet I have talked to online before and only when it comes down to creepers do I change completely. I'm pretty relentless when I need to be, and I'm helpful both on and offline.

[A Bit Obtuse]

I think I'm quite different online and offline.

Online, I try to be a bit nicer, easier to joke around with, and my speech improves so much because of spell check . And you can't use smilies offline. I love using smilies hahahah.

Offline, I'm blunt and a bit anti-social. To translate: I'm a bitch, sometimes.
And I've been told more than once that I'm intimidating. Maybe that's just because of my face, lol. But people have been hesitant to approach at first. Once I start talking I'm usually blunt and very opinionated and I have a dirty mouth. It runs in my family to curse like a sailor. xD.

Haha. So yeah, I say that I'm pretty different on and offline. I don't know if that's a bad thing or not but whatever....there's always smilies!!

[Hannibal Lecter]

Well this is a sort of 'split-personality' syndrome for us. For me, being online and being somebody is not that hard, and also not that different from my real personality. The only actual difference is that I'm online and I'm being...a bit nicer. xD

[SacredSilence]

I find myself more cheerful when im online and I find myself also getting more stuck in with things. All in all I am much nicer online than offline.

[Toxic Variations]

I can be an ass, sometimes, online. xD I'm actually nicer offline then I am online. Which is saying alot - because I'm super duper nice online ( most of the time ) to the point of making someone sick. Spread the love!

Anyway, I think I'm more social ' online ' then I am offline. I'm one of those people who suffers from a lack of confidence and major anxiety. I'm always second guessing people, wondering why they're talking to me, do they like me, etc. I have lots of issues. XD Still, I'm not too bad of a person. I just wish I could learn to trust people more and quit thinking they have an agenda.

[Hydracula]

Offline, I'm pretty much introverted and shy. To put it simple, I would just stay back and just look things through. And sometimes this happens even with my friends. The difference there is how I'm not as shy and stuff.

Online, I'm quite different: I don't have to worry so much about what I say or do. (of course there is always a "someone hacked in and said that" excuse. Not that I'd ever use it... unless it were actually true, that is) Ajem, back on topic, well, I'm much more open and less shy... Else I'd never join any forum or anything like it. Also, since MSN allows for personal conversations, I can be more direct about things and be much more open with things I'd rather not everyone know. Following from this, many of my friends can always count on me to listen to whatever they have to say. Most times I have good advice to offer, other times it's a quick research that allows for that, :P.

But yes, online I'm definitely a more lively person. Offline people will just see me as the anti-social who's always serious about everything. Well, that's it. ^^

[Shiduri]

I'm much more talkative and active in person. Mainly the reason for that it's because I find it easier to get my point across and I can be lazy about typing sometimes. Also the way I say things online might be portrayed differently towards others, aka sarcasm for example. It's not a problem usually but it can happen every once in a while. I tend to be more expressive in person. Besides that, it's easier for me to approach someone online than offline. Although I still can be shy online too. =[