Are online friendships really worth it?

[PacificBlue]

1. In most cases, you never get to meet the person face to face.

2. Words can be misunderstood.

3. The silence can be deafening.

 

[Problem Child]

1. In most cases, you never get to meet the person face to face.

2. Words can be misunderstood.

3. The silence can be deafening.

Gee, aren't we cheery....again.

 

[MissTaken]

Each is different.

It is up to you to determine how much effort an on line friendship deserves.

Some come and go, without giving me pause for second thoughts.

Others, I dont' let go of that easily and will work very hard to preserve.

I do believe that the potential for meeting someone does add incentive in terms of maintaining an online friendship.

 

[calypso_21]

I can see what you mean PB but with my online friendships we talk not only online but over the phone when we can. By doing that we tend to learn each other's quirks. When a comment is sarcastic or humorous, we find it easier to know this after learning the inflections in each other's voices.

A friendship no matter how it is conducted is worth it...if you put into that which you want to receive.

 

[gridiron]

Are they worth it?

You better bet your buns they are.. Since the time that I joined lit (1 year ago), I've made quite a few friendships on this board.. I haven't gotten a chance to meet anyone - yet - but it's always nice to have PM in my mailbox when I log-in to the boards.. Something wrong, Pacific? You can PM me if you want.. And that's if you want.. No pressure..

 

[woodgie2]

I can see what you mean PB but with my online friendships we talk not only online but over the phone when we can. By doing that we tend to learn each other's quirks. When a comment is sarcastic or humorous, we find it easier to know this after learning the inflections in each other's voices.

A friendship no matter how it is conducted is worth it...if you put into that which you want to receive.

I agree with the girl with the tattooed tummy.

 

[penguindance]

 

[Summery]

Most of my online friendships, if not all, now that I think about it, have always progressed to IM's, emails, and most importantly phone calls. Other then the fact, I don't have the luxury of seeing them face to face, my friendships aren't valued any differently with them as the ones I see on a daily basis. I believe you get out of friendships, what you are willing to invest in them. The rest of the people I talk to online, are casual acquaintances. I think Miss T said it best, it is up to you to determine how much effort an online friendship deserves.

 

[S.Daedalus]

I think each has their time and place.

I know ALOT of people online. I have a lot of good friends online. People I would fly to if they needed me. So I totally believe in online friends. Very few have I met in person....but it doesn't mean that I do not value their opinion or friendship.

I am fortunate enough to have a lot of friends both on and offline and each serves a purpose and each are cared for differently by me.

Example is this place alone. I already stated that I have a good group of friend’s offline..BUT I have to admit, that when it came down to this last break up. Reading and talking and sharing with those online and meeting new people here at lit. that care, just for the sake of caring...it's blown me away. The people here made me feel better then my friends offline could.

A friend is a friend whether they are on or offline. Listen and I will talk…talk and I will listen, my friend.

Just my humble opinion...thank you for letting me voice it.

 

[Nora]

They're worth it. That being said, this thread reminded me of the old adage that "to have a friend, you must be a friend."

There've been people I've blown off because all they want me for is a sounding board that's pre-programmed to say, "you're right!" I don't play that game. A real friend tells you the truth, even when it isn't what you want to hear.

There've been people I've blown off cuz they got so clingy that I didn't have time to talk to anyone else. And they acted insulted if I wanted to talk to someone other than them. Treating someone like your personal property is never a way to win friends.

There've been people I've blown off who don't get that friendship is a two-way street. They expect me to be there 24/7 to hear their troubles, but on those occassions when I needed to vent, they couldn't be bothered to take the time to listen.

Conversely, there are times my friends think I'm mad at them because I'm not babbling away at them. Well, sometimes I just don't feel like talking (believe it or not). Or maybe I'm editing a story for someone or working on a pic (both of which i'm taking a breather from to write this, for example). Don't assume. Just ask.

 

[bknight2602]

They're worth it. That being said, this thread reminded me of the old adage that "to have a friend, you must be a friend."

How true, eben online. We all have to take a little bit extra time and effort because there is no eye to eye contact when communicating. The facial expressions tell a story in itself, that is maksed by the online media.

 

[Nora]

<brief hijack>

Bk...your sig line reminded me that once-upon-a-time I wanted to get the USDA stamp as a tattoo on my ass. Of course, mine would have been "prime", not merely "choice" *sniffs haughtily*

</hijack>

 

[A Desert Rose]

1. In most cases, you never get to meet the person face to face.

2. Words can be misunderstood.

3. The silence can be deafening.

NO they are not worth it. They suck. Don't make any friends. Don't take any risks. You will just be hurt in the end. All people are assholes.

Who brought the pitty party hats? I have the noise makers.

~rolling my eyes~ sheeeesh.

 

[capricious_chic]

<brief hijack>

Bk...your sig line reminded me that once-upon-a-time I wanted to get the USDA stamp as a tattoo on my ass. Of course, mine would have been "prime", not merely "choice" *sniffs haughtily*

</hijack>

Crap.. I thought that was an original idea of mine.. -sigh-

 

[gridiron]

Re: Re: Are online friendships really worth it?

NO they are not worth it. They suck. Don't make any friends. Don't take any risks. You will just be hurt in the end. All people are assholes.

Who brought the pitty party hats? I have the noise makers.

~rolling my eyes~ sheeeesh.

And that, fellow posters, is a shining example of sarcasm..

 

[A Desert Rose]

Re: Re: Re: Are online friendships really worth it?

And that, fellow posters, is a shining example of sarcasm..

Thank you. I am glad it's not lost on EVERYone. ~smile~

 

[Problem Child]

Re: Re: Are online friendships really worth it?

NO they are not worth it. They suck. Don't make any friends. Don't take any risks. You will just be hurt in the end. All people are assholes.

Who brought the pitty party hats? I have the noise makers.

~rolling my eyes~ sheeeesh.

Attention is a powerful drug, once you get addicted to it. Even negative attention.

 

[Nora]

Crap.. I thought that was an original idea of mine.. -sigh-

LOL! That's why I gave up the idea. I saw it on someone else's ass and figured it was probably on half the butts in the US.

 

[quietwillow]

Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't worth it but its all up to what your motives and or perceptions of them are.

quiet

 

[gridiron]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Are online friendships really worth it?

Thank you. I am glad it's not lost on EVERYone. ~smile~

Sarcasm is my friend.. As are facetiousness and dry humor..

 

[A Desert Rose]

Re: Re: Re: Are online friendships really worth it?

Attention is a powerful drug, once you get addicted to it. Even negative attention.

Absofuckinglutely. This board is full of it: Indigo Rose, Hanns....

The uglier or more "pathetic" you can be, the more attention you get.

I guess that is where I have gone wrong. I am too normal.

15 threads a day to these people and a kazillion posts..... Chirist, amazing.

 

[A Desert Rose]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Are online friendships really worth it?

Sarcasm is my friend.. As are facetiousness and dry humor..

Uh oh...... what did I just say? Make no online friends.

This could be dangerous, you and I share mutual friends.

Back off, pal. (LMAO)

 

[bknight2602]

<brief hijack>

Bk...your sig line reminded me that once-upon-a-time I wanted to get the USDA stamp as a tattoo on my ass. Of course, mine would have been "prime", not merely "choice" *sniffs haughtily*

</hijack>

The verbage was selected by a friend of yours!

 

[Olivianna]

Of course they are worth it. I found my present cult leader (blessed be he, the true messiah) through an online friendship.

Stick with it. There's something for everyone.

 

[perks]

and "friend" is worth it.