MALE OR FEMALE?
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (53679)
November 17, 2017 12:09pm CST
This issue must have been raised many times before, but I am hoping that with frequent mention perhaps a solution may be found.
Many times when I am about to respond to a discussion, I realize that I do not know if the member is male or female - and I would find it embarrassing to ask. Depending on the kind of discussion I am responding to - it would be important to know in order to give a suitable response. I cannot tell from the person's avatar and when I check the profile - there is nothing there.
A member once suggested that a simple F or M could be placed next to the members' avatar.
What do you suggest? Have you ever responded to a member's discussions thinking that you are responding to a male - then later down the road you find out that the member is female?
24 people like this
27 responses
@Happy2BeMe (99399)
• Canada
17 Nov 17
It has happened to me a number of times here. It would be much easier if we knew.
3 people like this
@pumpkinjam (8540)
• United Kingdom
18 Nov 17
I don't think I've done it myself here, but people have done it with me! If I'm not sure, I'll check the profile and, perhaps, look through their other activity.
A lot of the time, gender isn't relevant to the discussion. If it is relevant, I'm sure nobody would mind being asked.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (157555)
• United States
18 Nov 17
There will always be people who do not want us to know any details about them. I try to be gender neutral and will admit if I cannot, and I do not know for sure, I give a generic response or no response at all. If we start requiring too much from people it may inhibit them from joining.
3 people like this
@Kandae11 (53679)
•
18 Nov 17
I agree, but I don't consider a simple matter as letting people know if you are male or female - detailed information. I don't want to know what the member looks like - or even where he or she is from, but I would like to know if I am responding to a man or a woman so I can respond correctly - how intrusive can that be?
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
17 Nov 17
there are times when I'm surprised by which gender a contributer is too
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
17 Nov 17
@Kandae11 many of my replies are gender-nuetral anyhow
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
18 Nov 17
my name is a female. but there are a couple of users who address me as DUDE, or BRO.
1 person likes this
@ridingbet (66857)
• Philippines
21 Nov 17
@Kandae11 yes, and they will gain more comments or responses. but for me, if once they tell me that and still they repeat it, i will no longer visit their page.
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
18 Nov 17
Yeah, I'm so much in favor in putting M or F in the avatar.
I have also been embarrassed of this situation because i mention He when in fact it supposed to be She.
1 person likes this
@creativeaashish (2609)
• Kathmandu, Nepal
17 Nov 17
Such things goes on occurring to me! But I don't take it seriously! And yes But they don't occur frequently to me. When such thing happens I instantly ask for the forgiveness.That's all !! But yes again, the problem with Kandase is not to be taken lightly? What do you think about it????
1 person likes this
@MALUSE (69413)
• Germany
17 Nov 17
@creativeaashish Asking forgiveness is exaggerated for an error which is not your fault. A simple 'sorry' is enough in my opinion.
2 people like this
@allknowing (130064)
• India
18 Nov 17
I still do not know if I am doing the right thing as I may be thinking that someone I respond to is a male when in fact they could be a woman,
1 person likes this
@cahaya1983 (11121)
• Malaysia
18 Nov 17
Usually I can tell either from their name, avatar or the description they write on their profile page but like you said, sometimes it's impossible to tell. But I can't remember ever mistaking a male for a female and vice versa. I hope I won't!
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
18 Nov 17
I have never thought about this, I just respond to the subject because so many people pretend they are someone else online.
1 person likes this
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
18 Nov 17
Yup....Only , I thought I was talking to a F only to find out later it was a M.
In my profile , I have made it clear that I am an F and also in my intro post....I have been called a dude though
1 person likes this
