How honest are you online and how much do you care about your image?
By Christinelle
@Christinelle (396)
Greece
October 21, 2010 8:20am CST
I would expect people to be more direct when they anonymously express ideas online but I have noticed that sometimes this is not the case. A large number of internet users is concerned with the online persona presented, therefore people lie or present altered information is order to "make a good impression" in the online community. That seems silly to me, since the possibilities of anyone ever finding out who a user really is are close to zero. So why is that need for acceptance, even online? I understand the ones that lie for fun but the ones that lie to make themselves seem better and nicer, I do not get. I got the idea for this discussion topic after reading posts about women that claim they don't have toe hair, people that state their gas doesn't smell (or has a sound) and other such subjects. Why do people feel the need for this in this anonymous place?
3 people like this
10 responses
@maezee (41988)
• United States
21 Oct 10
Maybe they are embarrassed to admit the truth. Toe hair? I don't think I have toe hair (seriously) but I haven't really looked ever. I should do that sometime. Haha, I think I'm pretty honest online. I mean, I can't see a reason in being dishonest, online or in real life. Especially online. I can see how people would lie in real life, to people they have to face every day (For example, my supervisor asking me what I did over the weekend, and I said 'nothing much, saw a movie' while really I got plastered... haha) but I think it's different online because I would imagine that the online community isn't going to interfere with your job, and who are the people online to judge? You don't even know them personally! All the more reason to be 110% yourself and not worry about the critics or being 'accepted'. You know? Anyway, not sure if this makes sense.
2 people like this
@Christinelle (396)
• Greece
21 Oct 10
Oh come on, you know those hairs that grow on the upper side of fingers and toes...? Maybe it's a little but it's there. Just like a mustache! It doesn't matter if the hair is thin and blond, it's still there. :)
2 people like this
@shelly53 (25)
• United States
21 Oct 10
Me, I am the same person offline as online.
Why try to be something you are not?
It is like telling a lie and then you have to tell another and another.
Many times dishonest ones get tripped up and the truth comes out finally.
Saves embarrassment to be honest and trustworthy.
Friendships require honesty, or at least mine do.
my take on this discussion. thanks
2 people like this
@joey_matthews (8354)
•
21 Oct 10
I'm the same online as I am off. I'm me and I don't care for telling lies or hyping my image. Some people will however, that's just them but for me I would like the same level of respect here as I do within my community.
Things like this is very important, self image is dying especially where I live. People are becoming increasingly self-centered and I could never be like that. I've been brought up with different views and whoever I am online, I will be offline also. What I post on here, people will be able to find and locate so it's important at least to me to be myself.
I enjoy posting here.
2 people like this
@sweetloveforeve (13120)
• Portugal
21 Oct 10
ahah christinelle the examples you gave are funny ahah but you are right^^ people shouldnt lie about who they really are^^ is like you say internet is an anonimous world so how can people know for sure who we really are? is a bit hard. is true that we can trust and like someone online but be sure is hard unless you know the person since more than a year already. and sure people shouldnt lie about themselves but be honest^^
2 people like this
@iamjesca (185)
• Philippines
22 Oct 10
I have read an article which says that members of Facebook are mostly self-centered person. Who are vain and needs attention. Maybe that is why they tell lies about themselves because they are just simply narcissistic beings who wants all the attention to themselves. You dont have to lie about anything here because being honest is what makes you genuine and unique. I have no problems with honesty here in forums. When I dislike things, I say my point. When I like the discussion I express my ideas about the topic. Lying doesnt make any good impression. As I have said they lie because they want to make good impressions of themselves. They want all the attention.
1 person likes this
@dheerajlko (470)
• India
21 Oct 10
this is cose sometimes people r not what they seems online they try to lie diff lives online coz they r not satisfied or wanted to b what they pretend to b online cyberspace is a place where trouth is nothing but a word and everything to lot of people it is what u like to know and what u wnat to know
@shaggin (72184)
• United States
22 Oct 10
I am totally myself no matter where I am... online offline whatever. A lot of people dont like that I am so open about things. I dont really keep anything private so I write a lot of crazy stuff for my facebook status's. People always write such boring things at least mine stand out from the rest.
1 person likes this
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
22 Oct 10
I'm just pretty much me whether I am on line or off. It doesn't matter, i don't have time or energy to play a lot of crazy games!
I'm just me, like it or not!
I'm just me, like it or not!
@anurag3786 (6267)
• India
22 Oct 10
I think I am a very honest person while I chatting with someone on net and I always show my identity with other person because I don’t want to give hurt to someone by cheating him/her. I always share some good things about myself after knowing other persons identity. I think if you have trusted online relationship then one day it could convert in good friendship.
@enthusiasticone (348)
• China
22 Oct 10
every frined is good in the world in my opinion. i am an international trader in china. and do big business with big business man. and the reason why we trust each other ?that's all because of our promise is money . and we could do what ever to help each other for big money. this is life . and online life. thank you .
1 person likes this
