ty Perna, im glad you decided to add your thoughts because you are so good at creating the pro/con scenario for us and then we can compare possible outcomes and make our own choices... i think its true that being sincere is easier in an environment like this where we share our inner thoughts and fears... just so much more comfortable than real life with all that eye contact and silent gaps that arouse feelings of nervousness and fears... here we can take our time to think and respond like you said

i like what you say that you adapt what you learn about and experience here into real life... i know i have done that a lot too, especially in learning to keep my calm.. (no where near perfect yet)

i know in real life situations still arise when i might not keep my cool as easily as i do on the internet, things move much more quickly and responses seem to expected on a much faster scale, but spending time in this kind environment is sort of like a training ground for me to learn how to be a better person in real life and from meeting others here on the internet i am beginning to believe that even tho there may be some not so friendly people in my real life community, the majority of people i meet everyday are not that much different from myself, struggling just a little too....