What's the difference between the "Real You" and the "Board You"?

[Whispersecret]

On another thread someone stated, “...I am assuming you all ARE real people, but I am quite sure that most of you aren't the way you portray yourselves on this board.”

I don’t know about all of you, but I don't“portray” myself as anything but myself.

Granted, in “real life” I am a little different. The Internet acts a little like alcohol on me. It loosens me up a little:

I do not talk as easily about sex as I do here. Does anyone? Nor am I able I talk about my feelings and emotions as readily as I do on the BB. (I have always been much more able to express myself on paper than verbally.) And since I’m married, the only place I flirt is here.

The last difference between the Real Me and the Board Me is that sometimes the--for lack of a better word--distance that the Internet provides sometimes brings out a nasty side to me that never ever comes out anywhere else. I have been very caustic in a few posts and said things I would never ever say to a person to their face, because I do not like confrontation of any type.

With those few exceptions, the person you see on the board is Me. I don't purposely put on a facade for people here. As Laurel pointed out in some other thread, I may withhold certain parts of myself, but I do that in real life too. I act differently around my 86 year old grandmother than I do around my best friend.

What about all of you? I'm sure I'm not going to get replies like, "I try very hard to make myself look a certain way so people will like me." But do you detect differences in your two selves, so to speak? Have you noted a loss of inhibition here that allows you to be more flirty, cruel, open, what have you? Or are you exactly like you are in real life?

 

[SimplySouthern]

I wold have to say that I am a different person here than in real life.

Were you to show any of my co-workers or family some of the things I have written here, I am sure they would be shocked and amazed! I live in a very small town that is, to say the leat "stuffy". I work in a very professional business where (at least in this town) women aren't always welcomed with open arms. Any sexual comments or flirting on my part would be perceived as trying to "sleep my way to the top". Being young and (not to toot my own horn) fairly attractive seem to work against me already. I am at one with my sexuality, but often feel stifled at work by the stuffy natures of those around me. I am certainly not as flirty in "real life". I wouldn't say that I portray myself any differently to make people like me. I do of course care about what others think of me, however that doesn't define who I am.

~Southern~

 

[Shylady]

Am i different here than in RL? Yes, I am very shy in RL and do not talk anything at all like i do on here. Also i don't feel very attractive but here in cyberspace i can be what ever i want so i can feel sexy here.
I think my sense of humor and fun are the same i just express them different in RL. Also i try to be nice and not offend anyone but if someone makes me mad here i am not afraid to tell them.
Also in RL i am married to the best man every and would never flirt like i do here in RL except with him!

 

[Whispersecret]

Oh, and one more thing...

I wonder if there are any people out there under the legal age who post here masquerading as adults. Sometimes I've had suspicions. Not that I expect anyone to admit they're underage.

But you young ones could post as unregistered users just this once to satisfy my curiosity...

 

[Guest]

The board me IS the "real" me. I don't hide anything (though I won't volunteer details with family I won't flat out lie either). I am who I am... a loud mouthed, opinionated, perverted, bitch who won't hold anything back and always "tells it like it is". I feel sorry for anyone who feels they must hide their "true" selves. I'm sure for some of you the "real" you would be what you portray here at the board and NOT in "real life".

 

[Xander]

What you see of me here, is also the one I am in RL.
Okay, I don't speak as openly about things as I do here. Mostly because it will get me in so much trouble. And yes, I am a little more shy in RL also.

But I do do the Poten Power Pelvis Dance IRL
And yes I do also tend to fall into pools involentarily, and make a giant ass out of myself. Never been attacked by a space hampster though

So this is all there is I'm sorry to say

[This message has been edited by Xander (edited 06-04-2000).]

 

[Bigdog]

Hey, I'm catching a thread early for a change.

Strangely enough, my experience is opposite the few post already here. I find myself much more reserved on the BB than in real life. In RL I tend to be much more outgoing as well as outspoken, at times I am pretty damn charming. Get on the BB and my cockiness diminishes, maybe something do do with trying to be accepted and not step on too many toes. I avoid the chat rooms like the plague, way too intimidating for me. This BB has been an intersting experience for me, trying to be myself and yet knowing that it is not. All the facts about me are true, never claimed to have a 13 inch pecker or 14 inch tongue, but the general attitude I show is only a hazy image of the real me. The fact that I am more reserved in an anonymous forum is intriguing, maybe later posts on this thread will shed some light.

Maybe if I hang around awhile, some of the "Lit wit" will rub off on me!

 

[Lasher]

Jeez, bigdog, how did you get in here? Doesn't anyone watch the door anymore?? The sign clearly says, "No One Under 13 Inches Allowed on This Ride"...

That's a joke, btw.

And as far as how I am in RL vs how I am here, either way I answered someone would be disappointed, so let's just let it go for now.....

 

[Chatmic]

Yes this is the real me, although my new boyfriend, the "GOD of Wit" thinks I may possess a penis and 2 testicles....I fear that I am a woman, with all the overly sensitive attributes associated with being a female.

I am at times more witty, less caustic, more quiet and less "battle oriented" in real life as online...but then I can say that about just about everyone I meet that is also online.

I take everyone at face value...if they turn out to be different than they present, hey, thems the breaks...

 

[Wizard]

I am the same here as the "real world"

 

[Nicole]

Okay Whisper, hmmmmm lets see, the real Nicole eh?

Well Sexually, my friends would be extremly interested to know I'm into what I'm into (if you know what I mean). I really don't open up about sex in Real life, infact I'm the type that looks away when two people are kissing in a movie, (Always been like that too). So for them to find I love certain things sexually they would probably choke on their respective drinks.

The rest of me...well I guess I'm a little more Bitchy away from the Board. No wait I am a Bitch away from the Board. But I have to be a bitch to people's faces, and well not being able to do that here I hold back and just don't post when something gets to me.

If I trust you I will go out of my way for you, If I don't trust you then you will find no matter how passionate I am about a subject then I will keep my mouth shut and stay away from you.

I do beleive that EVERYONE has a right to their opinion and they should be able to say that with out being jummped on. I try not to do that but I'm sure that I have upset more than a few people on this board at one time or another, as I have been upset by post's here too. But as in real life that shit happens and everyone needs to just get on with life and accept what has been said.

The Real me is very Passionate about friends, I am the sort that will give up anything to make them happy. My enemies avoid me like the plague (I'm really not as nice as I seem). I have a strange sense of humour (My Parent's are English).

I am an extremly Jealous person, and I don't like sharing . But hey I think you all know that about me right?

I guess thinking about this and writing it down, you all see the nice side of me where my family and friends see the real me. Sometimes not a nice person but loveable all the same.

 

[Magic Merlin]

Originally posted by wizard:
I am the same here as the "real world"

Damn, thats a scary thought.

Just kidding Wizard... Your alright for a 'young guy of 33'.

I'm pretty much the same in real life as I'm here on the board. Except for the flirting that I have been know to do here. In RL I only flirt with women I know. If I try to flirt with someone I just meet, its guaranteed that I will end up with my foot in my mouth.

I'm opinionated with strong views on lots of topics. Trying to be two different people in RL and on here would require to much energy. My family and friends are extremely important to me. I will say things to jerks on the board that in RL I would just walk away. Here is a place I choose to visit. In RL, I leave the jerks to themselves as I don't have to have them around.

I don't share all details of my RL here, but the person you see here is who I am in RL. I don't tell the people in my RL about this site, as most of them just have no understanding of erotica and the people who enjoy it. However, those of you here who have gotten to know me off the board, I will share more with you.

So in a nutshell, thats my story.

[This message has been edited by magic merlin (edited 06-04-2000).]

 

[ShyGoddess]

It's a little sad for me to admit, but I'm more myself here than I am in real life. I could never do or say the things that I write about here in RL. I don't come off as shy in person, but that's not the real me. In fact I'm so shy(especially around guys) that I act a little on the weird side to hide it.

 

[Cg1369]

awwwwwww chit shylady i'm me in rl or on the net I love all the ladies, I defend them when they're wronged. (and that seems to be happening more and more lately). Hope you're smiling now hun.

Bud

 

[Earthgoddess]

I am me-wherever you meet me-here, at the restaurant,or at the playground-and yes I am this outspoken and almost this sexual,I tone it down a little but not too much...

 

[Weird Harold]

I'm pretty much as you perceive me here in person. I tend to make more sarcastic observations in real life, because I don't have to wroyy about how to spell them and they escape before I can swallow them.

The real me is reclusive and would be a hermit if I didn't want to live within walking distance of the grocery store.

I don't go out and party in RL, but then I seldom join in the cyber orgies like the house warming thread either. (Athough I've been tempted to post there as "Hamster Boo" and liven things up a bit. I've managed to suppress the urge though.)

 

[CreamyLady]

I always am myself, but I'm more articulate in print than speaking, unless I'm very comfortable with the listener.

Actually, in real life I'm rather quiet and shy, unless I've had some wine, in which case I make up new lyrics to old songs. I had them rolling one New Year's with my rousing rendition of "We're Off to Do The Wizard."

 

[Hullo_nurse]

Well.... This is ME!! I am just as naughty in RL.

I talk about my sexual adventures IRL, and though I have toned it down a bit at work now cuz I am a manager, I have still gotten myself in trouble. As a matter of fact I got busted for passing along a joke that was a little toooo questionable. Someone that I sent it to complained (I'd like to know who the prude was). Damn the corporate suits all to hell!!

I am pretty open about my experiences and desires. I have flirted with 2 lesbian co-workers & they just thought I was joking. Now, not everyone knows ALL my deepest darkest desires, but if my close friends were to ask me point blank I would answer them honestly.

With the job I do we have to be able to let loose & joke around about some stuff and most of the time it is directed in a sexual nature. There have been times that I have suggested that we buy one of our female patients a vibrator cuz they have told the nurse that they just need to get laid or wish they could have one last orgasm. And yes, we do have patients that say that!! Of course it never happens cuz we would probably get sued for sexual misconduct or something, but we have had a good chuckle about it.

I have quite an erotica library an I have co-workers borrow books from it all the time. I am just a horny toad here on the BB & IRL. I flirt with guys I know IRL, hubbies friends and some of my sisters friends and even strangers! I guess I do flirt a little more here, but what you see is what you get.

Hell, I even posted a pic of the real me, all 300+ lbs!! If that ain't being honest, I don't know what is..... http://geocities.com/r337m0nk3y/net3/grinbiginvert.gif

Damned spelling errors!!


[This message has been edited by hullo_nurse (edited 06-04-2000).]

 

[Neoapril]

Hmm, where to start? I guess just jump right in and keep explaining. Weird Harold said a lot of things that I can identify with, such as making sarcastic comments IRL 'cause they just come out of my mouth! Happens a lot, too. And I, too, am fairly reclusive, although I wasn't this bad until we moved here, and I became depressed, and then lost a job I really liked! (still fighting the depression, too) And Harold, if you show up as Boo, you're gonna force me to come back and shoot you with my miniaturizing gun!

Pretty much what you see is what you get with me. Except I flirt way more here than I ever did IRL! I tend to self-edit almost everything I write here. There seems to be a merciless critic living in my head that keeps telling me that I should reword this or that, and that if I post everything I want to say, people will think I'm a nosy person with way too much time on her hands!! Which is true!

Well, the critic has kicked in, and is whispering in my ear, 'This is crap, and nobody wants to read it. Click the Clear Fields button, and keep moving.' I'm posting it anyway. So, there!

 

[Svedish_Chef]

As per usual Wizard an Magic Merlin summed it up..... this is me and if you don't like it so be it. There is one difference, my name in RL is Robert Belton and online it is Svedish_Chef....

da Chef

PS My emotions are even on the web, see the poetry in my homepage...

 

[Carl East]

What you see is what you get, or in this case what you don't see is. I try to behave the same in both environments, although my wife says I'm funnier in RL than on the board.

One thing you will always get from me, is honesty, I never lie, cheat, or try to put anybody down. I'm like most of you in that respect, I feel that we are all entitled to our own opinion.

Carl.

 

[Hurley International]

I wish i could say i was the same as i am here on the board as i am in Real Life but I cant. I am extremly shy In real life and quiet..
thats about it.

 

[ShyGuy68]

I'm not quite the same on here as I am here in real life. Just like ShyGoddess I'm shy towards stranges in real life.

I don't talk as freely about sex as I do here in real life either I must admit that, and it's probably because I don't want people to look at me as a pervert. Actually I talk most freely to people that I've met on-line, and I talk to them the way I do here. I really don't have any friends close by me that I can talk to like here. It's a bit sad I admit, but that's life.


ShyGuy

[This message has been edited by ShyGuy68 (edited 06-05-2000).]

 

[Dixon Carter Lee]

I don't have a "13 inch pecker or 14 inch tongue." But I DO have a bionic middle finger. Whrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

In real life I'm the same, only I don't say "cunt" quite so much.

 

[Tinman]

Originally posted by Tiggs:
The board me IS the "real" me. I don't hide anything ...

Like you, Tiggs, there IS no diff between the real me and the "board me," although the real me is a bit more out there for the world. The reason I try to be just me is that I enjoy conversation with real people and expect and hope that most people are honest about themselves, as well -- though I'm not stupid and I do realize some aren't.

The BB is just like a room full of people engaged in banter: sometmes funny, sometimes dumb, sometimes brilliant, sometimes even informative. But always it's an interchange with other humans, usually about a subject dear to our hearts (sexual, in case you've forgotten). I personally believe it's worth MORE -- mucho mas -- to all of us if we all are pretty much ourselves.

It's even possible for one to be a little MORE of oneself here than in real life, because here we can wear the anon. veil to avoid our embarassment at feelings we think may make us look weird (nothing implied here about Weird Harold, OK? Actually he seems pretty normal from all I can tell).

The worst part about maintaining a different persona here is that lies are hard to keep track of and maintain well.

And yes, WhisperSecret, it is by all means easier to express our erotic side far more openly here than face to face with strangers like coworkers (odd, since we spend so much time with them) or neighbors, or friends in our Sunday School class. That's why we're here, right? Freedom to talk about our fav thing(s).

Time for Sunday School; now, where'd I put my mask?



[This message has been edited by Tinman (edited 06-05-2000).]