Has Online/Phone ruined you in person?

I don't understand how your personality can change, when your talking around the same people on the net and in real social gatherings? (not trying to be rude)

Nah.. this doesn't have an effect on my real life.

[Edited on Aug 27, 2005 by gambitnuitamment]

I generally dislike talking to people via IM, because it takes so much effort. With messageboards, I can reply to what I want, when I want. But in an IM, I'm expected to respond within a decent time frame. I lack the desire, and it's too much work. I don't care for typing a lot. Also, most people talk about the silliest things, usually most of these things I don't care for at all.

On the phone, well, I don't particularly care for it, but I'd rather talk on the phone than IM., Because? Well, it's much easier. I'm a lazy person. Plus, at least you can tell the tone of voice and have a much more involved conversation than via instant messaging, where you're left at a disadvantage in that respect.

I prefer in person, because I can communicate much better, verbally and non-verbally. I'm a shy person, too, but seriously, I'd rather talk to someone and see them and be able to at least take a guess at their impression of me (if I haven't met them of course) than have absolutely no idea through a computer screen.

[Edited on Aug 27, 2005 by Reptilia]

i txt msg'd 420 times last month

my social life is still there though

i find it to help

I don't use the phone much, but the internet has corrupted my social skills in many ways.

I admit that I do say the letters 'WTF' all the time in "real life". I only do it as a joke, though. I swear...

Talking to people online gives you time to really think through your thoughts and how you want to present yourself. therefore you don't blab out dumb spur of the awkward moment stuff. I think because of this when you talk to people online you get the true person and the whole thought and shit... see what I mean?

I actually think I communicate better in person than online.

I have far more awkward "silence" on AIM than in real life.

not that it exactly changes, its just different. I might be willing to say more online, flirt more, take more chances than I would if I had to see the persons facial reactions to my words or hear the tone of their reply. I take so much from visual cues and body language and also from tone of voice, that sometimes when talking to someone in person I end up processing what their reaction to what I just said was, and then miss the point of what they are currently saying. It can be a bit distracting so I might come off as not as quick witted, or not as confident.

I think what I'm trying to say is that I tend to be more cautious in person, and to a lesser degree on the phone, than online. As said by others, you can edit what you type, you can't really do that verbally. Sometimes, once something is said, it can't be unsaid. Its out there and the damage is done. No emote can fix it.

there is also the fact that when online or on phone most people are doing more than just talking, they are distracted and multitasking and often bring those things into the conversation, in person you usually give 100% of your attention to the person you are talking to and might find you run out of things to talk about rather quickly.

The internet has made me a wittier person and a quicker thinker.

...I think. Or I'd like to think, anyway.

Though I do pull a bit of the ol' persona on teh intarweb. I'm super shy in person (and yes, even on the phone), yet online I can be as boisterous and obnoxious as I want. It's a very odd way to act out, though, and I'm starting to channel that in other directions.

Tonight, however, I'm all about the flirting. Bring it!

LOL. that's so bad.