[*Beth*]

I've noticed that very few members on PC list their location. Not necessarily town or city, but not even state or country. If you don't, what is your reason? I'm burning with curiosity

[bpcyclist]

Well, you didn't ask the other part, but I list because I don't care if people know or not. Besides, unless you run some super secret VPN thingy, it is easy to find out where someone is located... Believe me, one thing I learned from being tortured by the police for two years--if you think your online activites are not being viewed by others and you reside in the United States, you would be wrong. Very, very wrong... They are watchiing, they might as well read every single search or post. There is no such thing as online privacy in this country right now.

[Ford Puma]

Well, truth be told; I never gave much thought to hiding my location, doubt their too many from Ireland on here anyway so...

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Ford Puma

Well, truth be told; I never gave much thought to hiding my location, doubt their too many from Ireland on here anyway so...

I've met a few members from Ireland here. btw, Ireland is so beautiful! There truly is a magic to the country.

Originally Posted by BethRags

I've noticed that very few members on PC list their location. Not necessarily town or city, but not even state or country. If you don't, what is your reason? I'm burning with curiosity

for some reason, I've never liked people knowing where I'm from. in the past when people have asked me, I have simply stated my mummy's tummy (well it's true, right?)

also: I think of myself as living a daily hell, so the asylum fits it nicely.

[stahrgeyzer]

I guess some people don't care or they don't want local PCers asking to meetup for coffee or something.

I usually list my location because I'd love to meet people here who are in my generation, gen-x.

[Blue_Bird]

I just thought Hogwarts sounded cool since I'm a Harry Potter fan. I live in upstate New York though

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by stahrgeyzer

I guess some people don't care or they don't want local PCers asking to meetup for coffee or something.

I usually list my location because I'd love to meet people here who are in my generation, gen-x.

That's a really good point, never thought of it.

I'm a Gen-Xer and I'm only 500 miles north

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by BethRags

I've met a few members from Ireland here. btw, Ireland is so beautiful! There truly is a magic to the country.

Ireland is absolutely magical--that is the correct word!!!

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

I just thought Hogwarts sounded cool since I'm a Harry Potter fan. I live in upstate New York though

Brrrr......

[amandalouise]

most people do not put their actual locations down because many websites have rules against people posting personal identify able information that can leave the poster and the site creators, admins and so forth open to violating their state laws for stalking and internet usage.

many dont put their actual locations because theygrew up in the computer age where computers became a normal thing in schools so schools had to teach internet safety such as teaching students how to not fill in registrations and profiles and posts with personally idenify able information.

many dont put their actual locations because they had computer safety parents who taught them not to leave their self open to cyber criminals.

directly related to me and my family .. my children learn about computer/ online safety at home and in school & my wife and I practice computer and online safety of not disclosing our actual locations.

as part of my children's computer safety courses in school the police department gives educational talks, meet and greets and so on where they discuss internet safety like how to not disclose personal information like location.

there are also many great you tube and tv shows and cable shows that teach about internet safety. local libraries also have sections / departments that will work with anyone that wants to learn how to protect their self online from stalkers and such.

[lizardlady]

I verge on paranoid about not wanting people on line know where I live. Years ago I was not so careful. A person who cyber stalked me convinced me they knew where I lived in the real world. I had been way too open talking about where I lived. It scared the beejeebers out of me. I'm more careful now.

I list "midworld" as my location because I am a Dark Tower fan.

This may sound like a strange reason. I didn't put my location down because, even though it's an OK place for me to live in, I feel that there's a sense of shame at where I am. I've heard lots of jokes and ridicule about the area I live in. When I go to other places, I tell them where I live and they would say, "Oh my God, you poor thing!".

[Nammu]

I live in a small rural area but even when I lived in Austin Texas I didn't want people to know. I thought about using never never land but then made up my own

[WastingAsparagus]

I live in Denver, Colorado, at the moment and have lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

[bpcyclist]

Originally Posted by will19

This may sound like a strange reason. I didn't put my location down because, even though it's an OK place for me to live in, I feel that there's a sense of shame at where I am. I've heard lots of jokes and ridicule about the area I live in. When I go to other places, I tell them where I live and they would say, "Oh my God, you poor thing!".

I don't understand that at all. There is beauty and wonderful people everywhere.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by will19

This may sound like a strange reason. I didn't put my location down because, even though it's an OK place for me to live in, I feel that there's a sense of shame at where I am. I've heard lots of jokes and ridicule about the area I live in. When I go to other places, I tell them where I live and they would say, "Oh my God, you poor thing!".

But then we'll know you and then we'll think that the place where you live is a great place

[divine1966]

I don’t want people in the same state contacting me for meeting or something. I told people in PMs if we are friends. And mentioned it on some threads but in general I’d rather people not know.

I mean I’ve met one other member from my state for PC anniversary meetup and we remain friends on here and she is great! I’d not mind meeting again. But other than that I’d like to keep it private.

It happened to me on two other forums. On one forum people wanted to meet.

And on the other forum I stupidly used some of my description as my screen name. And I was approached at art show (my art was there) by the person asking if I am so and so from the forum. It freaked me really bad. It wasn’t an anonymous forum per se but it still freaked me out.

Some members here know which state I live in, and the approximate area, but I have never mentioned my town/city name, though have semi described it a bit. I did change my location from my state name to what you see. That sort of limits the number of states.

I only share my real first name with close online friends, and usually spell it differently. Only a couple people I've met online in the past (not here at PC), actually know my real name. As bpcyclist wrote, knowing such information can allow people to learn much much more. It's not difficult to find, believe me. Some anonymity is important.

I know that a member here lives within a somewhat short drive of me. I even offered to get together with that member, if they liked, for coffee at a cafe. The member obviously didn't want to, which I 100% understand. It is for the best we didn't, because if there was an awkwardness it might make one or both of us feel uncomfortable here.

[Sometimes psychotic]

I’ve actually met people from this forum before....I’m not super worried about my identity because it’s a huge metro area.

[*Beth*]

Interesting thread! I love knowing in which country people live and, in the U.S., which state. But that's just my interest in geography and culture. I completely understand, though...people not wanting to meet up, etc. Security can be a huge problem...I would never want any member to use their real name and location. Yikes, no. I would never do that myself.


Funny, I'm so reclusive but somehow I would be okay with meeting up with someone(s) from PC. I guess I'd feel like they understood mental health challenges. But with covid, meet-ups aren't happening anyway, so

[mote.of.soul]

One of the main reasons I mention my location is so that if I express an opinion on a certain subject on a mostly American website such as this one (I can see there are a lot of members here from the UK, as well) then the person should see I'm from New Zealand and won't fire back at me saying "Oh, typical Dem" or "Typical Repub", especially during American election times. Plus I like other people to know a little bit about me. Helps to fill in the blanks a bit, I think.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by mote.of.soul

One of the main reasons I mention my location is so that if I express an opinion on a certain subject on a mostly American website such as this one (I can see there are a lot of members here from the UK, as well) then the person should see I'm from New Zealand and won't fire back at me saying "Oh, typical Dem" or "Typical Repub", especially during American election times. Plus I like other people to know a little bit about me. Helps to fill in the blanks a bit, I think.

To me, it is so exciting to be on a forum with people from various countries! And yes, it does tell people something about you.

[Raindropvampire]

I list mine. Hell some people here know my first name. But I also live in a very large city so it really doesn't bother me. Now if I lived in a very small town I might not be so open.

[sarahsweets]

I list my state and that I am in the US so people from other countries know where my perspective comes from. For people in the US it can be helpful to know what area of the country I am from. I do not share my city. I figure if someone wants to sleuth me out based on my state and country they are probably good at figuring out other info if they intend to find me and that my state wouldnt change that ability. When someone asks for help regarding social services, assistance or suicide issues I ask if the op is comfortable sharing where they are from so I can look up resources.