[Fuzzybear]

Do you prefer this .. Talking to "faceless" people who quickly drift in and out... Not meaning anyone here, obviously, is faceless... Just some places like malls etc ... No real connection takes place..

Or, connection?

Which do you prefer?

[bugbear83]

I think a part of the anonymity helps me. I recoil from true connection to other people. Maybe out of fear?

Not to say the compassion I feel for others is faked, but it helps to be able to put a little socially acceptable distance in the form of a web forum when talking.

That being said, there are some people that I feel the faintest hint of an actual connection with on here. Either because of reading a lot of their posts or finding a common thread in our struggles. You're one of them Fuzzy, jsyk. <3

[MusicLover82]

I think it's nice to have both. I really crave deeper
connections IRL, but anonymity can be helpful, too.

[Rohag]

I no longer have a "social life" in the "real" world. During my infrequent visits to that world, I do a fair job of acting "normal" with the people I meet. The act is functional.

I do have a small handful of IRL people with whom I have a real connection. I prefer them to the others.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by Rohag

I no longer have a "social life" in the "real" world. During my infrequent visits to that world, I do a fair job of acting "normal" with the people I meet. The act is functional.

I do have a small handful of IRL people with whom I have a real connection. I prefer them to the others.

Acting "normal" I wish I could do that... However I wouldn't even meet with any strangers, acquaintances etc. without using so many shavers..... I've found people prefer to talk, even on a superficial level, to other people, and not bears

[Yours_Truly]

I'm craving IRL connection. But it's hard for me to be uninhibited enough to form real connections. I'm trying to work up the courage, again (sigh), to get myself out there.

[Unrigged64072835]

With my shyness and being socially awkward and anxious, it's hard to make connections to people IRL, whether they're strangers or not.

[Faltering]

I would like to connect with people IRL, but I am socially anxious and afraid people will find me weird and uninteresting. It is easier for me to communicate online where body language is removed from the context and words are all that matter. I feel like I can be more open here. I don't fear judgment.

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by Faltering

It is easier for me to communicate online where body language is removed from the context and words are all that matter.

Outstanding observation! With so much communication being nonverbal, it can be valuable for people suffering from anxiety, depression, etc. to interact in a manner with far fewer possibly misleading nuances.