[Schade]

Let's say there is a person that you hate, because of what he posts and writes on the internet. Is it possible to befriend him when you meet him in real life? Or is it possible to like his personality/character when you encounter him in real life? Did you ever have an experience like that?

[shlump]

hmmmm...

Some people's behavior on the internet is so far beyond anything they'd even imagine doing/saying in real life that I'd say it is possible.

Look at how many people find out their spouses are porn addicts, or sex chat partakers. Not trying to throw a negative here, juts real life is much different than internet life.

Have I had an experience like that? Nope, haven't found any i HATE, and haven't met any irl either....

So I guess my post was full of crap, but maybe if we met you'd smile at me

[possum220]

Maybe this person is saying what he thinks deep down over the internet because he feels more comfortable. If that stirs up hate in you then what do you like about him irl. Personally I wouldn't be interested.

[Inedible]

Some people don't express themselves well in writing. Body language is more important than the actual words, when in conversation in person, and it is missing online. It often contradicts the actual words and gives a more correct impression. Usually it works the other way around - the words are sweet and the body language is dripping poison. I can see how it could work the other way around, though, where a person might not come across well on the internet and be better in person.

I wouldn't like the person either way. Words have consequences, and if someone is spouting hateful crap on the internet or radio just to get attention or grab ratings - whether they believe what they're saying or doing or not - then they're fake and phony sellouts as far as I'm concerned and not keeping it real, so I wouldn't want anything to do with them online or off.

[Vibe]

Yeah, it can work either way. I never have expectations of people who I meet online. You have to spend serious time with someone in person to get a true feel for them. I can't imagine why I would want to meet someone in person who I did not like online. I still have internet friends but I know it may or may not transfer well if we ever meet in person. Heh, it's all good.

oh i believe it is!

i play some games where people role play.. so they are nothing like the person they play online

i know someone who lives in france (we don't talk much anymore since he moved from england)

on this game, he plays this evil person who everyone hates and wants nothing to do with.. in fact i've heard people say they'd never want to meet him, he's a coward

but i've met him myself and he's nothing like that.. in reality, he wouldn't hurt a fly

[IowaFarmGal]

I've met people that I liked online and we didn't get along when we met. I suppose it could work the other way.

[Travelinglady]

I suppose. But I would worry about someone who seems to have the need to come across as evil/mean on the Internet! And I know I'm naive, but I think people should try to "be themselves," even if on the Internet. I personally would avoid someone IRL who I didn't like on the computer.

With me it's just the opposite - you'd probably like me better online than in person!

[Sherrie82]

It does work both ways iv got one friend who when I talk online we can talk for ages but meeting in person he doesn't have anything to say and its a struggle to keep a conversation going in person, sometimes its easier to say what you think online

[Harley47]

It can go either way. Outside of PC, I'm a fairly typical college student, for better or worse. Kinda awkward, swear more than I'd like to admit, and sporting a sarcastic streak a mile wide. lol I don't think you could pick Harley47 out of a college lineup (though if it's, say, a frat party, pass that lineup over...rofl I'm pretty boring ). Just offering me out of an example.

[lizardlady]

Originally Posted by Schade

Let's say there is a person that you hate, because of what he posts and writes on the internet. Is it possible to befriend him when you meet him in real life? Or is it possible to like his personality/character when you encounter him in real life? Did you ever have an experience like that?

The whole time we were interacting face to face I'd be wondering when the evil side would show up. I doubt I'd ever make the effort to meet someone face to face if I didn't like the way they protrayed themself online.

[Inedible]

There is a word for it when people are the same person under a variety of situations and when interacting with different people and playing different roles (parent, sibling, co-worker, neighbor, customer, student, teacher, friend). It is a quality that is good to have. I think it starts with 'c'. I just can't think of what it is. People who don't have it tend to run into problems when their roles collide. Like when they are at work one way and at home another, then they are at an office party with their significant other and they don't know how to be themselves because they can't be two different versions at the same time. Or maybe they don't have it so they are one way on the internet and another in person. Having more of this quality that I am thinking of solves the problem by avoiding being different things to different people. It is a quality that people tend to develop as they become more mature.

[IowaFarmGal]

I saw my SIL on facebook and I would never have known her from what she posts, she sounds totally different from what I know her to be like. Is the word consistency? I think my old boss also thought I was totally different than what she knew me to be on facebook, but then she drove me pretty well nuts as part of the general toxic atmosphere at work.

I would say "yes, definitely" but whether you should is another matter. Take me for example. I am fairly open and honest around here and can express myself fairly well. You would not recognize me in person because I would be the silent one in the corner. In RL I can't talk. I can see how one part of someone's personality can come out in texting or in the virtual world and that part doesn't show itself in real life, but I'd be wary. That part exists regardless of whether it is being shown at the moment or not.

Originally Posted by PAYNE1

I suppose. But I would worry about someone who seems to have the need to come across as evil/mean on the Internet! And I know I'm naive, but I think people should try to "be themselves," even if on the Internet. I personally would avoid someone IRL who I didn't like on the computer.

yeah that's a point..

but i think on the internet you can be who you want to be- and especially in the games i'm talking about, people play themselves in a game, not as their real person