Indian Males With Female Avatars

Thomas, It might seem like a joke, but the fact is Indians and Chinese are smart cookies. They figure out way's to make the fast buck better than anybody. The woman on the avatar is a honey trap meant to lure people, into becoming friends, giving best response, positive ratings. It is just simple marketing strategy, however a lot of people do these things because there are genuinely dumb people who are in this forum. I saw one guy, posting discussions, as a male and as a female (the trick is to reach a wider audience).

Maybe they just don't get it? Or maybe they have a different take on what an avatar is? Who knows! Each to their own I suppose. Or maybe they are all just transgendered?

I think I can answer that. When I was quite new here, I read a certain discussion that those with female avatars tends to have more responses than those with male ones. The discussion came from a male Indian. So I'm guessing that's reason behind the female avatars.

Take this as a purely hypothetical statement, intending no offence to anyone... It is based on the observation that you have made about Indian men hiding behind female avatars.... "Indian men have a very poor self image and think themselves to be rather unpresentable. So they end up looking for female pictures, plucked off the net and turn them into avatars. Given the conservative nature of the society in India, these males generally are with their tongues lolling at every passing shiela. So they think they can inspire that in their fellow Indian mylotters by using "sexy avatars". Cheers!

oooh I love Radiohead :-) ... Anyway, this is a rather tardy reply to your discussion (apologies but we've only just 'met' as you know). This is something I've wondered myself - I associate the avatars with the person posting and if I see a female photo I assume it's a woman and the same for a male photo. I can see now that's not how everyone sees the function of avatars and quite probably they don't attach the same significance to it as we do. I would feel uncomfortable with a male image because I'm female but that's just me. Mine is a photograph of some of the things I sell (I have an online e-shop selling retro/vintage ceramics & glass) and it was picked primarily because it's colourful, funky and won't encourage any of the downright pervy (for pervy read sick) remarks one always gets with female images - whether your own or someone else's. I also think more is less - in other words to dress provocatively but leave a little to the imagination is much more attractive than wearing next to nothing and having everything out on show. Therefore, I like to think my avator, by not giving much away, has a certain mystery all of it's own. Whether certain people won't reply to me because it's not an overtly feminine image is not a concern, the people who do reply are usually lovely.

Just like we here in the States sometimes look at Hollywood actors/actresses as larger than life, maybe they are taking the word avatar in context to their culture and feel that Bollywood actresses are modern day Avatars. This is supposed to be funny, so for any of you not getting it due to lack of knowing the origins of this word goto the links below. definition of avatar: http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/avatar to find out still more at wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avatar

I did that too in the past as you are aware thomas73, but this was just for the heck of it. I found that there is no difference in the friends offers, vis-a-vis my curent avatar and my avatar as a female fatale. I did get a lot fewer invites with my first avatar - that of a banner to promote Software as a service. But then at that time I was too new, so maybe, now only qualty matters and not the avatar?

I'd like to hear the answer, too. Guys from different places use women's pictures, and sometimes women use photos of movie/music stars as their avatar. I can see putting pictures of your favorite artists on your profile page, but when you post a comment do you really want everyone to associate that comment with Drew Barrymore or whatever Bollywood actress is hot at the moment?

Thomas, I see that few of your Indian friends have offered much insight into this question. The best explanation that I've seen is that Indian men prefer not to disclose their identities. I wonder why that is so? Is it a cultural thing? I don't know if the Avatars of female actresses is any different than the Avatars that so many of us use here. Mine is the logo for MY Hockey team (which is going to win the NHL Stanley Cup this year, by the way!). I am a huge fan of this team, and have been for over 30 years. So in a way this says something about my personality. I don't expect that it will get me any more or less responses or friend requests. In fact, most people here probably have no idea what it symbolizes in the first place. As for the Indian men using the Bollywood actresses, I would think that maybe it is an admirative tribute, a bit of idolization going on. That's all I can think of.

Generally avatars are meant to give an idea about the member. So, people who do not post their real pictures, would post pictures of celebrities they identify themselves to. Using an opposite gender as an avatar is misleading. I don't know if there any female posters who are using male avatars

that's nothing compared to some of my friends who chose to play games only with female characters...when asked they've responded : i like to see something sexy in front of my eyes...and some even said it very simple : i am sexually addicted.i think "voila"....that's the thing.I guess...

Thomas, you are quite observant.I haven't used an actress for avatar in my years as a netizen .So,I am not sure how accurate my analysis will be in this regard.I feel some of the responses were close.They either didn't put too much thought into it and selected their favourite actress coz they love looking at her photo or it could be that they believe a girl's avatar will get them more attention.I chose my avatar as a penguin coz I Love their fashion parade,lol.By the way,I ,too, thought you don't smile much ,but that was before I read some of your discussions.

I had wondered the same thing at times, but then, I thought, maybe it is like the pin-ups that some men have hanging around the shop. Pleasant to their eyes, so everytime they sign on to mylot, it is like going to the shop and seeing their favorite pin-up model. Something to drool over and fantasize about perhaps?

I think these men are less likely to post on a male's discussion. So they think we males will rush to post on a female's discussion. Personally I don't know or care the gender of most. Like you Thomas. I didn't check your profile but I would guess that you are male. Gender has nothing to do with a discussion and think some people are missing the boat. They must have some engram.

People use Femininie avators thinking more people will respond seeing a girl's picture. They are just being crazy

I do not feel there is much significance to it. 1)May be that the selected actress is their pet star. 2)May be they have not taken the matter seriously and they just select the avatar very casually.

Yes, few Indians will hesitate to disclose their identity, hence they cover them up with their favourite women.