So here's a thread that can cause a discussion...

[vivilasvegas]

What do you consider people you "meet" on the internet?

For myself, I love the internet. I have friends in real life, but there are topics that generally just don't come up. Those topics are readily available for me on the internet.

I enjoy the "arguments" and the learning of new things I get from these boards. I have a chance to say things that I normally have no one to talk about with, and have discussions where my mind might be changed and challenged.

But I don't have "friends". I would personally find that hard. No one here really knows anything about me. What I laugh at, what bothers me, what I'm passionate about. It's way too personal to tell everyone. When I have tried to let a little bit more of myself shine thru, I've found that most people are different than me in things that are important to me, (and I don't mean political ) so I've kept them at pleasant discussion board status. That probably sounds snobbish or what not, but it's not. It's just that I feel it's easier this way.

I do understand that friendships form, but I've not had that experience.

How about you?

 

[klj27]

I agree. I would call internet people aquaintances, but not friends. The only time I use friends is when I am at a store and trying to get a deal that someone posts online. Then I always say, "but my friend got it for this price."

 

[vivilasvegas]

I agree. I would call internet people aquaintances, but not friends. The only time I use friends is when I am at a store and trying to get a deal that someone posts online. Then I always say, "but my friend got it for this price."

See? We joke, we laugh. Then we go annoy the people in our real lives. It works I tell ya!

 

[MsLeFever]

By and large I consider my DIS "friends" folks I chat in while standing in the "line of life"

BUT I have met a couple of women here that have gone beyond that chatting stage. Especially when competing in WPASADI there were days near deadline where I'd spend an hour or 2 online with them working on a project. I am proud to call them friends.

THEN there is the group of women that I met online in 1997 when I was due with my son. More than 8 years later about 20 of us still e-mail everyday. I have traveled to visit them, cried as some went through difficult divorces, broken hearts, vicious attacks and celebrated marriages and subsequent weddings. I traveled from PA to Texas to celebrate one's law school graduation. They are some of my best friends in the whole world.

All sorts of relationships start on-line.....

 

[vivilasvegas]

I think it's hard to start a friendship on-line.

When I post something that I think had one meaning, and people take it a different way, those people tend to remember that.

It's difficult to have conversations when typing.

 

[KarenAylwood]

I personally, consider those I meet on the DIS aquaintances, only because it has never gone past that point. I am not against it, it has just not gone past that point. When I was younger (maybe 12?) I did meet someone on the internet whom I exchanged letters with and emailed often. I haven't spoken with him since I was probably 13. We just grew apart and stopped writing/emailing.

I know a lot of people meet friends (even significant others!) on the DIS but I have yet to. I like the idea of a message board because I can talk about issues I wouldn't necessarily talk about with my friends, and with people who have totally different backgrounds than I do.

I think the DIS is a great place and I enjoy it greatly. I just haven't gotten to the point of "friendship" with anyone here. Although.. there are many who I enjoy reading the posts of

 

[Buckalew11]

I see what you are saying but I actually do have friends on the Internet. Some I have met and some I haven't.
Internet relationships seem easier in one way to me because I can come get on-line at my convenience where as in real life, that part is harder.

 

[momof2inPA]

I'm not here to make friends (and I'm doing a good job of it), but I do like to discuss whatever comes to mind when I read the posts here, even if the discussion irritates people.

If I or a family member were ill, I could never see myself turning to the internet for support, maybe for prayers, but not for support. I don't find it strange or wrong when other people do this, because they must form actual "connections" with internet friends, but I don't or haven't. Maybe I'm missing out, but for me the DIS is more of a diversion than a community.

 

[vivilasvegas]

I still want to have discussions with ya!

And that's the other thing about this internet fandazalle....I won't let my feelings be hurt by a faceless poster. We're all better than that.

 

[bengalbelle]

I met a Diser who lives near me through these boards and I consider her a good friend of mine. We talk by email often and our kids went trick or treating together. She's an awesome person and I'd hate to think I missed the friendship because I wasn't open to that type of relationship online.

There are other people here I've never met but certainly consider them friends.

 

[Nancy]

Well, I have a whole group of friends that I met thanks to the DIS, some still pop on here, some do not. We e-mail, we chat, we go to weddings in WDW and Disneyland, although I couldn't make the land one. One of them was a lifesaver for me when my Mom got sick this past April. I would not have met any of them if it wasn't for here...and I couldn't imagine my life without them...of course one of them being my sister helps too!

 

[vivilasvegas]

Maybe for me it's because I post at random. One night, I may post 20 plus times, but then I might not post for weeks. Who knows?

 

[momof2inPA]

I still want to have discussions with ya!

Thanks. I'll watch for your posts.

 

[disykat]

I consider people here aquaintances. If I went on to meet them IRL, then I would consider them friends. I don't really see myself forming those attachments without meeting face to face because I've been here 5 years and it hasn't happened yet!

 

[Aidensmom]

I have actually met a number of people I became friends with on the DIS, spoken on the phone with some, and some are just cyberspace friends through boards, emails, PM's, and instant messaging. There are a lot of rewards to gain by opening yourself to friendships in non-conventional arenas.

 

[Mysteria]

I have actually met a number of people I became friends with on the DIS, spoken on the phone with some, and some are just cyberspace friends through boards, emails, PM's, and instant messaging. There are a lot of rewards to gain by opening yourself to friendships in non-conventional arenas.

Ya, what my friend said.

Myst

 

[FroggyinArk]

I have actually met a number of people I became friends with on the DIS, spoken on the phone with some, and some are just cyberspace friends through boards, emails, PM's, and instant messaging. There are a lot of rewards to gain by opening yourself to friendships in non-conventional arenas.

i tyotallyu agree, we have friends that we have met personally and friends we just hang oiut with on line too, and afew we call, i'm opening an online store soon mainly due to urging by several friends i have made online, and that have seen my work, i kow with out my online friends i would never have made it during the time i was recouperating from the wreck, nor would i be self confident enough in my looks to step footy outtside. yet these friends are always therer to lend and ear, offeradvice or stand up for me. i woudnot think twice about calling or even better meeting up with many of hte people i know onilne.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Ya, what my friend said.

Myst

Yeah, what both my friends said.

 

[nwdisgal]

I enjoy talking to people on here, and yes, there are some I think I feel I connect with (i.e could be friends with) and are much like the group of friends I hang out with in person.

 

[tiggersmom2]

Yeah, what both my friends said.

What all three of my friends said!!!! I even consider some of the mods and Webmasters here my friends. I can tell you now that WMAlex is near and dear to my heart.

To all the Lush Ladies....I love you gals!