Do your real world and online personalities differ much?

India
December 12, 2008 9:41pm CST
I feel like mine does. I feel much more confident online than in the real world. I’m willing to take more risks, and tell more truth. Online, I can show off more. It is mainly because there are no serious consequences if people hate me. In the real world I hide things. I only talk about the good or safe things I do; never the bad things. I don’t talk about my problems (except to professionals). I’m most just trying to get along without getting killed, and without finding any attention, and without angering anyone. I hear that one of the problems for people trying to find a partner through dating sites is that everyone exaggerates their profile. I think I’m no different. I exaggerate myself. Not intentionally, but when I review the stuff I post, that’s what I think has happened. What about you? How much do your real life and online personalities differ, if at all? How would you characterize any difference or similarity? How would you explain the difference or similarity?
3 people like this
8 responses
@munhozmib (3837)
• Sao Paulo, Brazil
14 Dec 08
Hello, coolmailraj. I do believe that my personality is different in both "worlds". When I am online, I may look like a serious person and sometimes like a philosopher. I believe that this is the view people get when they look at me and know me online. However, in real world, I show another thing. I am always more childish in real world, and more silly too. I believe that I am more like the online person than the real one that people get to know. I am usually putting thought in different things of life and all, and I like to find a reasoning for what I do and in what I believe. When you know me online, you will know that I am like that. When you know me in real life, you may not notice that. Strange, isn't it? But I believe that it is because in the real world we are forced to act accordingly to the facts, twenty four hours a day. When we are online, we can think about what we are going to write. Respectfully, Munhozmib.
2 people like this
@aidenw (632)
• United States
13 Dec 08
i'm kind of like you. i'm basically a shy person and in the real world i'm reserved and don't talk much to people i don't know well or in a big group of people. however, online it's easier for me to express myself to strangers and be more open and outgoing. although i'm shy i also have a rebellious nature which is easier to show online where i can say something naughty that i would never say in the real world. i think that's because online offers some degree of protection. first of all you don't see the people face to face, and also they don't know you personally so that you don't get embarrassed easily.
1 person likes this
@nvtellan (1907)
• Philippines
13 Dec 08
I don't think there's a big difference whether I am online or offline. In real life, I am a true person meaning I don't really lie at all. I show and express my true feelings to people. Same with online. But I don't let out anger or angst to just anyone. I only show the really emotional part of me to those that I really know and trust.
1 person likes this
• United States
13 Dec 08
i'd totally agree, im more shy in person. but online, it kinda puts a wall up between reality. but then again, im who i am reguardless ;]
1 person likes this
@rvangeld (334)
• United States
13 Dec 08
I am pretty much the same online and offline. I try not to hurt people's feeling on both, although I may be a little more outspoken on the internet, but I still try to hold back, because I do not like offending people.
1 person likes this
@messageme (2821)
• United States
13 Dec 08
I don't think my online personalitly is any different than off line. Im just me and if you don't like what you get then so be it, don't talk to me. I have had to many people stab me in the back to care what people think of me anymore. I have nothing to hide, you want to know anything, I will tell you. To me there is never a reason to lie and if you are exaggerating who you are that is basically lying about who you are. I see no need for it. However, I do see your point in being more shy in the real world. There your face to face with people, which can be more nerve racking for some. Online you don't have to look at the person to talk to them so you would be much more comforable disscussing things.
1 person likes this
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
13 Dec 08
my online personality and the 'real' me are one in the same. there is no difference. i say what i think online as well as in person. if someone doesn't like what i have to say, or my opinion, they don't have to listen. they can either like me or not. i met my s/o online in a chat room almost 4 years ago. we met in person 3 weeks after meeting online and we have been living together since 2 months after meeting online. if we had not been upfront and honest about who and/or what we were it would have never made it to the first meeting in person. i never have figured out why so many people think they have to fake who they are online. i never did and never will put myself out there as something/someone i'm not.
1 person likes this
@suzzy3 (8342)
15 Dec 08
I think you can get carried away a bit.You get more confident but I don't think many people change that much from what I have read,it does not seem to be to wild.I try not to give names and places because you never know who is on the receiving the post ,you hope that no one will track you down but there is always the nutter factor.I think we are all so frightened by the net for giving away details pertaining to your personal life or anything that can be traced back.It is like the mobile phone when you ring someone they could be anywhere but because you know these people you have no reason to disbeleave them,when it is someone you have never met and say they live in Germany for instance they may well live in the next town in your own country.I think it is being anonymous is the attraction you can say anything you like and nobody knows any different and it is fun.