Do You Have Different Rules for Online Behavior?

[NWFlyer 2]

I wonder sometimes... why do some people live out the intimate details of their life and their relationships on dropzone.com? Then there's others who are so private we don't even know their real names or dropzones. And it got me to thinking: Do you have different rules for how you live your life online vs. off? Or are the rules just different from mine?

I like to think of the rules for how I live my life online as being virtually identical to how I live it offline. There's nothing that I would do or talk about online that I would not also talk about in person. However, there *are* things that I will talk about in real life that I won't talk about online (examples include any identifying information and details about my job or specific details about my interpersonal relationships). Unless there's video, real life doesn't come with a permanent record of what was said and done like online forums do.

So, I guess there's a subset of my rules that I live by online. But it's the same rule set... there's nothing in my online rule set that doesn't also reside in my offline rule set (anyone need a Venn diagram right about now?). Anything I say, anyone I talk to or about, I'd be prepared to have that same conversation or debate in person. This means I don't deliberately antagonize, but it also means that I don't reveal stuff that I (or someone I am close to) will look at one month, six months, or a year from now and say "ouch."

I don't get the sense everyone thinks that way ... some people probably think that I reveal way too much ... others wonder why they don't know more.

"There is only one basic human right, the right to do as you damn well please. And with it comes the only basic human duty, the duty to take the consequences." -P.J. O'Rourke

[GTAVercetti 0]

My attitude is the same, but the TOPICS are different.

I am a bit more quiet...at first though. After that, god help you.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[mnealtx 0]

I'm more 'flirty' in general conversation online. In person, I'm the one hanging off at the edge of the crowd, listening, until I get to know people.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[Lindercles 0]

Of course I have different rules for online. I'm much more witty and urbane. Not to mention taller, stronger, and more attractive.

As a general rule, if it's in writing I don't take it seriously. I'd hate for someone to come up to me with a printout of my greatest fears and secret fantasies in one hand and a pineapple in the other and know exactly what to do with it.

[waltappel 1]

I'm pretty much the same online as I am in person. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing, it's just a *me* thing.

Walt

[waltappel 1]

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Of course I have different rules for online. I'm much more witty and urbane. Not to mention taller, stronger, and more attractive.

As a general rule, if it's in writing I don't take it seriously. I'd hate for someone to come up to me with a printout of my greatest fears and secret fantasies in one hand and a pineapple in the other and know exactly what to do with it.

If that ever happens, it's story time!

Walt

[RhondaLea 4]

Well...I'm prepared to talk about all the same things in person.

And I'm prepared to do the things I talk about with some obvious limitations. Well, obvious to me, anyway.

But I think that all online discussions have an element of performance art...because, for example, if GTA is walking around at work in a tin foil hat, I'm really worried about him.

About the only thing I wouldn't talk about online that I would talk about privately is current relationships, especially if they're not working. It's one thing to have banter in public between partners, but quite another to drag the dirty linen out for all to see. And although I might talk about past relationships in certain contexts, I would not be naming names.

The rest of my life, however, is pretty much an open book. It's a lot easier not to have secrets.

rl

If you don't know where you're going, you should know where you came from. Gullah Proverb

[NWFlyer 2]

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if GTA is walking around at work in a tin foil hat, I'm really worried about him.

Depends on his job, I guess.

[GTAVercetti 0]

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But I think that all online discussions have an element of performance art...because, for example, if GTA is walking around at work in a tin foil hat, I'm really worried about him.

WHAT?!

I am NEVER over the TOP!!! And I NEVER make ANTHING UP!!!

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.

[livendive 8]

I think I'm a little more open in real life than I am online. There are certainly some things I'll tell someone face to face or via email that I won't post publicly, and stories I'll tell with whoever listening at the DZ that I won't tell here with folks unknown to me reading them.

I think I asked you once before....do YOU think I'm the same person in real life as I am here?

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[NWFlyer 2]

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I think I asked you once before....do YOU think I'm the same person in real life as I am here?

That wasn't the question, and you already know my answer, anyway.

[livendive 8]

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I think I asked you once before....do YOU think I'm the same person in real life as I am here?

That wasn't the question, and you already know my answer, anyway.

Really? LOL - I thought it was the question, and I really don't know your answer. Getting older sucks. I hope my memory was the last thing to go!

Edit to add: OK, I did a search and it's ALMOST the same question. I did find your answer though...apparently I'm calmer and more reflective here than I am in real life.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[NWFlyer 2]

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Really? LOL - I thought it was the question, and I really don't know your answer. Getting older sucks. I hope my memory was the last thing to go!

The question today was more about whether you behave differently online vs. in person, and it was getting more to what you answered - are there things you'll talk about in person that you won't talk about online (or vice versa)? I'll use my friendship with you as an example - there's things I know about you that I only know because I have spent time with you in person, and until and unless you talk about them online, I won't. That's the kind of respect I try to have for the people in my life and I hope they'll do the same for me (and so far, most have).

Last time I answered that question I'd only hung out with you once, so with the benefit of much more time with Dave I'd still say ... you're mostly the same person, except that you're usually sober (or at least appear to be) in your posts. Not always the same in person.

[livendive 8]

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Last time I answered that question I'd only hung out with you once, so with the benefit of much more time with Dave I'd still say ... you're mostly the same person, except that you're usually sober (or at least appear to be) in your posts. Not always the same in person.

Functional alcoholism is the bee's knees.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[NWFlyer 2]

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Functional alcoholism is the bee's knees.

Yes, but your nonfunctional alcoholism is even more fun.

"I did WHAT?"

[Amazon 7]

I am really quiet and blend into the background.

[NWFlyer 2]

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I am really quiet and blend into the background.

Online or in person?

[Amazon 7]

Both

[Girlfalldown 0]

I'm not sure. I think I'm about the same online and offline depending on my alcohol intake and mood.

I think you're about the same Krisanne. I also think Dave is pretty similar in person and online only instead of just bursting out with some weird comment or tale of his on here he text messages it.

Edited to add: I don't give myself rules for life. I just do whatever I feel like at the time. Yeah, sometimes it comes back and bites me on the ass later but I knew the rules when I started to play so I can't bitch about it.

--------------

(Do not, I repeat DO NOT, take my posts seriously.)

[Vertifly 0]

Definitely more open and true online. In person, I think I am more quiet.

[waltappel 1]

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Definitely more open and true online. In person, I think I am more quiet.

Are you kidding? You would be a total fucking riot in person if you were the same in person as online!

I'm still thinking you would be a shitload of fun to hangout with anyway.

Walt

[Vertifly 0]

Walt...you are really good for my ego. Ok, well, when we hang out I'll have three beers and it'll be allllll good to go.

Let me go check out your answer for this one!
...ok, so what you are saying is that you are the life of the party. The guy who gets all the babes. A swoop master...sky god...with all the personality to spare?

Cool, well....nothing like being a sidekick I guess.

[waltappel 1]

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Walt...you are really good for my ego. Ok, well, when we hang out I'll have three beers and it'll be allllll good to go.

Let me go check out your answer for this one!

Here's what I'm looking forward to. I want to hang out with you and some lovely ladies when the topic of relationships comes up or, better yet, some ladies who have had a few drinks and are in the mood for some man-bashing!

I want to see you in action. I think you would be absolutely in your glory telling 'em how it is and I'd be laughing my ass off the whole time!

Walt

[Amazon 7]

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some ladies who have had a few drinks and are in the mood for some man-bashing!

Hmmm what sort of bashing do you prefer???

[GTAVercetti 0]

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some ladies who have had a few drinks and are in the mood for some man-bashing!

Hmmm what sort of bashing do you prefer???

I bet he likes hammers.

Why yes, my license number is a palindrome. Thank you for noticing.