Do You Discriminate!? …Between Friends and Others!?

I don't think that I discriminate between the two groups, but I obviously cannot share "in" jokes with those that I don't know. Some may see that as discrimination. My response to a discussion is based entirely on whether I have a contribution that I want to make. I do not respond to all the discussions that my friends post, but neither do I ignore all those posted by people that are not on my friends list. I think that it is inevitable that you will respond more warmly to people that you know than those that you don't, either here or in real life. I don't think that people can change that. I just try to take people as I find them.

Being a new member and all I am happy I came across this discussion. Now of course I would not be in a position to discriminate on mylot as my friends list would be at a minimum at this time but your discussion has caused me to stop and think if I will be like that in future. I do not think so however as I like a lot of variety and I dont think my friends will always raise discussions which interest me. New members are likely to post new discussions or put a new twist on a topic. I have noticed that older members tend to ask questions in a particular manner which would suggest that they are familar with a number of persons on mylot and that many of the responses follow suit. There is nothing wrong with this because you will form a bond with persons over a period of time and we naturally tend to give more thought to our freinds.

I think sometimes, we are a bit more familiar with our friends. I sometimes have the feeling that I'm being a little too forward with casual acquaintances and I hold back at times. It's not so much discrimination, but a fear that they will think I'm "pushy" or something. So, I guess the answer is yes, when you ask if we discriminate between friends and acquaintances. Brightest Blessings.

Usually I try not to address friends here. First, I don't know this Mylotter is a male or female, I have to check the profile. And another main reason is, their names are sometimes very complicated here. For example, I think it's fine to call you dear Kamran, but it will sound like a bit strange to say dear Kamran12, doesn't it?

Yea, I confess I do. Well, but it is not anything personal. Our comfort zones vary with different people. I feel I share a great chemistry with some of my friends and so I communicate more closely with them than others. There's no wrong in opening up more to my other friends as well, but I purposely refrain, as they might think I'm going overboard. As long as we respect everyone for the person he is, and respond sincerely covering the gist of the discussion, I don't think there is an issue of discrimination. The very fact that we have accepted friends of all behaviors and races itself contradicts the existence of discrimination.

The users here that I already have an established relationship with I will address more warmly and with a more loving feel in my heart when I type my responses, and I think that's only natural. Like when you're introduced to someone new, you may shake their hand, but when you see someone you know and care about, you'll not only shake their hand, but maybe use both of yours to do it, or kiss them on the cheek or share an embrace. It's the same here, but figuratively. And there are so many posts that my friends start, I have barely enough time and energy to answer them, much less look for others to respond to, but I do try to answer an occasional post or comment by someone I don't know, although only if I'm intrigued or attracted by what they've had to say. And so, as I type this to you, Kamran my friend, I'm shaking your hand, and also covering that hand with my other one in a warm and loving clasp of friendship.

My responses on Mylot are based entirely on whether or not the topic interests me and or whether or not I feel I can contribute. I cannot make an analogy between online friends and off line friends. There is a difference. I agree with you that in real life when you greet acquaintances or friends there is a difference. You may have had your friends since childhood, high school or university. Your relationship is a very personal one. You may like your acquaintances a lot but your relationship will be a more distant and detached one. On the other hand some people might get really close with their online friends. I don't really see it as discrimination.

After reading what you had to say, made me stop and think. I myself don't feel like I am discriminating against anyone, but I guess I do respond differently to different people. For example in some response I might tease a little in the response and in others I'm a bit more serious. In my own little mind, I look at "discriminating" as a hatred to some in whom I have no regard to. So in that way, no I don't discriminate. However, I understand exactly what you are saying. So my answer would have to be yes, I guess I do, in the way you have described.

hi kam, i donot discriminate my friends, but i do not know whether i've discriminated somebody in mylot, maybe i did, unintentionally, but i never have any intention to discriminate anybody, whether friends or not. if i did to you, i would like to apologize. and thanks for this good discussion.