[lizardlady]

Is anyone else freaked out by the idea of meeting other members face-to-face at a meet up or through videochat?

I'm not in any way criticizing the 20th anniversary celebration. I think it's great. I think it's great that a wonderful community like this could exist this long. It's the idea of having other members see me in the physical form. I love the anonymity that PC gives me.

I know I don't have to attend a meet up or a videochat. I know I don't have to participate in the celebration at all if I don't want to. Actually, I do want to participate. I volunteered to start a celebration thread in the Coffeehouse like I have for holidays. I'm just freaked at the idea that people "out there" could identify me in the "real" world.

Anyone else out there feel this way?

[connect.the.stars]

I'm pretty freaked out no one is going to show up. And then the waitress will totally judge me for booking so many tables and being alone.

There is also fear of someone recognizing us too.

I don't think you're the only one.

[~Christina]

I have met a PC member. In fact she lives in the town I moved away form 11 years ago. We were very close prior to a face to face meeting. I wasn't nervous at all. I wish there was a meet somewhere close to me, I would go. Obviously I don't mind anyone seeing me as I have my Picture up. But, I can understand people been nervous about meeting in real life, I mean most of us deal with anxiety and whatnot anyway.

I would imagine most people are meeting in good size or large cities so maybe it would be difficult to bump into someone while going out to the grocery store or Doctor appts etc.

[connect.the.stars]

I think it is fine if you have chatted or messaged each other before. But if it was just anyone who wanted to show up, it's a little bit nerve-wracking.

[moodycow]

i 100% feel the same liz . I have met up with a member on here but couldnt do more than one .

[unaluna]

1. It gets easier after the first one.

2. The more comfortable you become with yourself, the more you are with others.

3. You have to know and own why you are doing something.

[BeaFlower]

Me too, liz I'd like to participate more, but I'd also be scared. For this I'd be happy if there is something like a special thread.

I would be nervous just prior to getting to a meetup. But as of now, I would look forward to going to the 20th anniv. forum. There's nothing that I know of that's planned in my area (San Diego, CA). I know that there's quite a few people from there who frequent this board.

I'm still hoping that something will come up before next Saturday. I'll be looking out until the 11th hour. You can count on me to be there if something's planned. I would love to meet fellow posters.

[pachyderm]

Just think of it as a chance to practice and improve your people skills.

[lizardlady]

Thanks everyone. It helps to know I'm not the only one.

FWIW, I have met someone I knew through a different on-line forum face to face. Both of us were nervous before hand, but the meeting went well.

Pachy, I don't need to work on my people skills. That's not the problem. Hankster, I am very comfortable with who I am. Am also comfortable with other people being whoever they are. I know why I come to PC - to socialize with folks in a safe environment.

I'm having trouble articulating what the problem is with me not wanting to go to a meet up. It's that -thanks to the admin and mods - this is a safe place. No one I know in the "real" world knows I come here. I want to preserve that.

Having read that others are interested I will definitely start a thread in the Coffeehouse.

[Webgoji]

Lol, nope. It would be too far to go to a meetup and I don't have the equipment for a video chat soooo ... yeah.

[Travelinglady]

liz, I can understand how you feel. I think what helps me is knowing these folks live relatively far away. Plus, I try to be discreet and wouldn't "rat" on other folks to people they might know. Of course, we can't count on everyone being that way.

I would love to meet you sometime!

[-jimi-]

Maybe you just dont want to mix your online life with real life. Im like that. I made an exception lately and met with an online friend a few times. I told her the rules. Still she blabbered my real name and location with others. Something i kept secret from them for 15 years. Yay?

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

Maybe you just dont want to mix your online life with real life. Im like that. I made an exception lately and met with an online friend a few times. I told her the rules. Still she blabbered my real name and location with others. Something i kept secret from them for 15 years. Yay?

Yep, that's it Jimi!