Does the Avatar Affect Your View of the Member?
By Bannybanzie
@Bannybanzie (1397)
Philippines
July 28, 2011 11:04pm CST
Most of us here in mylot have our avatars. Well, so far I've never seen two members with the same avatar. Sometimes, it can also become one's trademark specially if the person does not change it. Sometimes, even if we forget the name, seeing the avatar reminds us immediately of how often we see that person responding to discussions.
There is one person here in mylot that after changing his/her avatar, I think my view of him/her changed a little. I thought he/she was just around 20s, but seeing his/her avatar made me think maybe he/she is older. I don't know but there's something in my view that just changed that I cannot explain.
There are also scary avatars and I think they somehow reveal the person behind.
How about you guys? What do you think of avatars? How does it affect you?
6 people like this
19 responses
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Hi ebuscat! You're doing well on that. I must assure you! You do really share your views of the kingdom of god whenever possible in discussions. Thanks and happy day!
@grecychunny26 (9483)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
I think so. I get affected by the avatar in some ways but I think that is bad as to judge people base on their avatar. But honestly, I dislike a certain friend before here in Mylot because he uses one avatar that i dislike. He has been supporting someone that i really realy hate because that obviously he uses the face of that celebrity. And even his point of view of on this most hateful celebrity of mine. i just delete him and never read discussion coming from him. But that is not good. I do not want you to do the same. I was just being childish before. But I admit from time to time I judge the person base on avatars, but here in Mylot i discontinue deleting them.
1 person likes this
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Ohhhh... 
Okay.... Well, great you recognize that it's not good... but anyways, if that's what you feel doing, then fine...
Happy mylotting!
Okay.... Well, great you recognize that it's not good... but anyways, if that's what you feel doing, then fine...
Happy mylotting!
@celticeagle (166909)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Jul 11
It depends on what it is. Mine is my trademark. I am Irish and Native American so the celtic and eagle fit well and tell the entire story. If the avatar is all we have to base the entire persona of a person on then it could get an odd opinion or two. It does give us an odd idea of a person sometimes. It really depends on the avatar I suppose. If one is very extreme then I tend to find the person probably will be as well.
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yes, if it's where we would all based our opinions or a person, then we are really going on a wrong way.. I'm happy to know the reason behind your name and avatar. Mine has no real connection to me..
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
hello Banny,
So,this person didn't put his age on his/her profile page?
As for me,I never hide my age and I always use my own photo as my avatar.
Few times I use my daughter's pic esp when I found a funny photo of her.
I like it when she make face,so with my son who always love to take his own photo with funny face.
I always look at the topic before looking at the avatar.
There is only few avatar here that I don't like participating with their topic due to their avatar....it's scary one.
Have a good day 
jaiho®
jaiho®
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Hi!
Honestly, I have not looked at this person's age in the profile... While I do look for the country and sometimes the gender, I hardly notice the age... Yeah, sometimes if the avatar is a little scary, it's a bit hard to participate in his/her discussions.
Thanks and have a great day!
While I do look for the country and sometimes the gender, I hardly notice the age... Yeah, sometimes if the avatar is a little scary, it's a bit hard to participate in his/her discussions.
Thanks and have a great day!
@dollar3235 (2062)
• India
29 Jul 11
Hello Banny,
I don't care about avatars if someone is good to me, I would certainly like that person here, however, no matter what you use as avatar but you reply to me in such a manner that can't be tolerated, in that case, I would certainly hate that user here on mylot.
Enjoy mylot!
1 person likes this
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Hi!
Yes, you're right. What matters more is what they say. If they insult us or give negative and bad comments, we'd rather not hang around with that person.
Happy day!
@sais06 (1284)
• Philippines
1 Aug 11
Hi Bannybanzie!
For me, our avatars represent our personality here in myLot. I also mostly recognize other myLotters through their avatar but it doesn't change my view of any member here. I don't usually look how good or bad their avatar is but what's more important to me is how they participate here.
Of course I know mostly are friendly here but also encountered some rude ones who doesn't know or understand what a MANNER is like. Usually just seeing the avatar of those members makes me avoid some discussions so as not to destroy my mood.
I hope that they learn how to respect the ideas, beliefs and opinions of other people.
I hope that they learn how to respect the ideas, beliefs and opinions of other people.@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
2 Aug 11
Hi!
Is 6 your favorite number? Yeah, it's not just the avatar but the members themselves and how they post here. I believe that since we are all different, we need to respect each other just as we want others to respect us.
Thanks and happy mylotting!
@sais06 (1284)
• Philippines
2 Aug 11
Yep it is my favorite number. I usually use this number to represent myself. They say that 6 is a bad number but it depends on how and where you use it.
Sometimes I also notice that the avatars used by other myLotters fit their personality. I mean just by reading their discussions and comments you can tell or have a hint of what they are in person.
Sometimes I also notice that the avatars used by other myLotters fit their personality. I mean just by reading their discussions and comments you can tell or have a hint of what they are in person.
@secretbear (19448)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
Hi Bannybanzie!
I agree! The avatar kind of becomes a trademark and it really makes remembering the person easier. And also, it really does tell something about the person. I have this friend who likes teddy bears, she changes her avatar a lot but it was always a teddy bear so you would really know that she loves teddy bears. 
So if I see a teddy bear avatar, I always think that she is that myLotter. ^^
But I also think that an avatar can hide the personality of a person. Just like your example, you thought that person was around 20's but it turned out, that was not the case. Who knows, with that person's new avatar, it still hides that person's true age.
So if I see a teddy bear avatar, I always think that she is that myLotter. ^^
But I also think that an avatar can hide the personality of a person. Just like your example, you thought that person was around 20's but it turned out, that was not the case. Who knows, with that person's new avatar, it still hides that person's true age. @Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yeah.. it's a trademark.. sometimes reveal someone's identity a bit, sometimes not.. 
@LilyoftheThorns (12918)
• United States
30 Jul 11
well, avatars don't usually make me take a different view (meaning good or bad) on a user. It does give me a concept of them, like an interest...for example, you have a flower as your avatar, so I immediatly think you like the beauty of the natrual world (I don't just think, of you like flowers).
What I want people to take from my avatar is that I love animals (not just ostrich). And anytime I see an animal on someones avatar, whether it be a personal photo of a pet or one copied from the internet, I always assume they love all animals.
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yeah.. okay.. I get your point.. thanks so much.. yes, it's not just all about the avatar.
Happy mylotting!
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
HI!
Yeah, if we see one familiar avatar, sometimes it makes us move to respond. Thanks.
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
29 Jul 11
hi no really as i more look at the disscussions themselves then at the avatars. too many just use children so allI see to that is they are married with children and love to show them off. our writing is what tells me more about others. I love making graphics so I change mine a lot but that does not mean Iam a shallow or or changeable person just means I like to graphics and show them off.Too darned easy for us to assume so much from some label like a graphic or othe avatar. I hate labeling people. lets meet one other get to know each other not just go by the labels.
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yes, I do believe in what you said. It's more of what they say and how they participate here than their avatars.. and yes, we can't and should not judge anybody here as we don't know each other perfectly. We can't make conclusions without enough evidence...
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
29 Jul 11
I have had wrong first impressions of people based on avatars like thinking someone was a girl when they were a guy because they had a girly avi or thinking someone must have been a teen but, they were an adult. We've probably all done that. However, I prefer not to judge what kind of person someone is because things can easily be misread. That person may not have their avi for the reason that we think.
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yeah.. had the same confusions too.. I had a friend who I always thought was a girl then he made a discussion about his wife and to my surprise he is a man... .. and yeah, I thought one was young but then they are a little old.. SO just as a saying goes, Don't judge the book but it's cover..
.. and yeah, I thought one was young but then they are a little old.. SO just as a saying goes, Don't judge the book but it's cover..
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
29 Jul 11
Hmm, that's an interesting question, I know I mainly judge by the topics/comments because I'm a reading-writing type person, that's just my nature. But I have looked at avatars and wondered why that person has that avatar like skull-and-bones or something like that. Others I just enjoy looking at because they're so cute like some members have dancing/ninja bears - hehe - always bring a smile to my face.
My avatar is about 4 years old, LOL I am thinking of updating it to a most recent picture of myself, because I have cut my bangs and my hair's a bit greyer, and I think I'm more skinnier now than I was in that old picture.
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
29 Jul 11
I remember I was having an argument with someone and they were wearing only lingurie in their avatar and I told them to go get dressed, because they're not wearing clothes! 
She said something snarky back like telling me to get into some lingerie instead of that big bulky sweater I have on
She said something snarky back like telling me to get into some lingerie instead of that big bulky sweater I have on @Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Well I would like more a person in a sweater rather than one in bikinis... I think it's nice to keep the same avatar. I don't have plans of changing mine because I think our avatars are like trademarks. Yes, there are cute avatars around mylot..
I think it's nice to keep the same avatar. I don't have plans of changing mine because I think our avatars are like trademarks. Yes, there are cute avatars around mylot.. @RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
1 Aug 11
For me, I don't change my attitude towards someone or to some topic based solely on an avatar. It's just an image, a decorative picture of the member but not something to take as seriously to run to post or to avoid posting something. I read the discussion and then based on it decide if I want to write or not.
It's true that it becomes sort of a trademark!!! Many times I get used to look at the avatars and identify members from them, and after got totally confused when they changed the picture 
. I then realize who is who after reading the username above, but it's not the very first thing I look. Crazy but true.
This make me remember of something. I still have to select and put a good avatar for me. It's a shame that after nearly 1 year I still am avatar-less 
. I then realize who is who after reading the username above, but it's not the very first thing I look. Crazy but true.
This make me remember of something. I still have to select and put a good avatar for me. It's a shame that after nearly 1 year I still am avatar-less
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
1 Aug 11
Yes, avatars become members' trademarks and sometimes, when one changed his/her avatar, it's a little confusing.. Thanks and happy day! Hope you will have an avatar soon!
@murkie (1103)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
well, banny.. yes, it does affect my view.
the avatar kinda gives me the first impression of the person behind it. well, most of it.
also, the avatar becomes the identifier for the user. we could have known each other for so long, and i could have recognized you through. but if all of a sudden you changed your avatar, i might not be able to see that it was you.
i even tried to change my avatar once. and guess what, even i had a hard time looking for my own comments and responses.
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Hi!
Yeah, when somebody changes the avatar, it gets harder to recognize that that's him/her. I've never changed my avatar and no plans of doing so.. It's my trademark here.. Thanks and have a nice day!
@autumndreamer (3185)
• Philippines
29 Jul 11
I agree with you Bannybanzie. I think having an avatar is one's trademark and we can easily remember him or her through this avatar. In my case, I'm not really a person who easily remembers everyone's names so I always rely on the avatar. I remember a person through his or her avatar that's why I'll know if a friend responds or comments on my discussion through his or her avatar.
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Yes, I'm just like you. Specially with users with so long names it's just hard to remember. But with pictures, it's really easier to tell.
Thanks and happy day!
@neildc (17239)
• Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines
3 Aug 11
one time it happened to me that i accidentally call her by other member's username. i thought it was her and i only recognized it wasn't her when she commented back to my discussion.
anyway, i usually look at the username and remembers them by their name. besides, we can always change our photo/avatar but not the username.
anyway, i usually look at the username and remembers them by their name. besides, we can always change our photo/avatar but not the username. 
@marguicha (222965)
• Chile
1 Sep 11
I don´t worry much about avatars usually, except that I get to know the avatars my friends use. I change mine once in a while, because I always place a picture of a phote I took on my vacations. But I don´t know when I will go for vacations again, so I´m thinking of having a picture of my baby granddaughter now. I´ll see.
@drasnian (548)
•
2 Aug 11
I don't think the avatar really makes much difference to me - honestly I generally look at it, and then forget about it, unless it's one I've seen multiple times, in which case I associate that avatar with a particular person.
Generally though, I don't really pay much thought to what gender or age somebody is from, unless something they've written makes it quite clear.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
29 Jul 11
I think somewhat we all do that. I definitely recognize people by their avatars. I haven't found anyone that I didn't like because of their avatar though. To each their own kind of thing. I think some avatars can tell you things about a person but not neccessarily all of them...
=)
@Bannybanzie (1397)
• Philippines
31 Jul 11
Hi!
Yes, it does tell us something about the person behind, but not that much. Thanks and happy mylotting!
