mrpez Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 "We wear the mask that grins and lies It hides our cheeks and shades our eyes, This debt we pay to human guile; With torn and bleeding hearts we smile, And mouth with myriad subtleties. Why should the world be overwise, In counting all our tears and sighs? Nay, let them only see us, while We wear the mask. We smile, but, O great Christ, our cries To Thee from tortured souls arise. We sing, but oh, the clay is vile Beneath our feet, and long the mile; But let the world dream otherwise, We wear the mask." We Wear The Mask - Paul Laurence Dunbar We all know about e-gangstas, who act tough online but are not in reality. What are your experiences with people who hide their personalities? Have you met someone in a game that you know is acting completely different than they normally would? Do you know anybody in reality that acts different around certain people? If you are willing to share your experiences, it would be very interesting to read about why others hide their true self. Personally, I act the same way I would normally online and in real life. It isn't good for one's health to bottle up emotions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nom Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I generally get a good idea of what people are like through their posting style. I suppose they could be acting completely differently than they normally would, but it's pretty hard to completely conceal yourself, even through writing. Actually, especially through writing. As for real life, sure I see it all the time. Most people aren't going to 'be theirselves' in every situation. Different scenarious demand different mannerisms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGoddessI Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Well I have bipolar and rapid cycle so my personality is always going to be different on certain days, unintentionally. In real life I won't talk to you until I know you because I'm really shy. Then on another day I feel great pressure of speech and will be loud, confident and talk your ear off. Some days I like to be alone from everyone, other days I like to be the centre of attention, party animal. Some days I just like to sleep, eat and cuddle. Other days I like to listen to loud music, dance around the house like an idiot and make people laugh. Some days I'm unmotivated, agitated, down. Other days I don't need to sleep, I create music, create art work, do well in business etc Tomorrow is a new day with me. I'm not type I or type II so it's unpredictable and the people who get to know me will just have to accept that. I'm thankful that it makes me creative, determined, motivated and goal focussed more than it makes me down though. It's not a mask, it's who I am. My life is one giant roller coaster and I enjoy the ride while it lasts. The only people who tell you that you can't do something are those who have already given up on their own dreams so feel the need to discourage yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zealot Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I try to be honest about who I am, as much as I know how to be. I do however have secrets which I have only shared with a handful of people... things which I fear if people knew they would not be able to accept me. Perhaps everybody has something that they wouldn't want to tell even to a best friend. "He is no fool who gives up that which he can not keep to gain that which he can not lose."--Jim Elliot "You must picture me alone in that room in Magdalen, night after night, feeling, whenever my mind lifted even for a second from my work, the steady, unrelenting approach of Him whom I so earnestly desired not to meet. That which I greatly feared had at last come upon me. In the Trinity Term of 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed: perhaps, that night, the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England. I did not then see what is now the most shining and obvious thing; the Divine humility which will accept a convert even on such terms. The Prodical Son at least walked home on his own two feet. But who can duly adore that love which will open the high gates to a prodigal who is brought in kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his eyes in every direction for a chance of escape? The words compelle intrare, compel them to come in, have been so abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy. The hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men, and His compulsion is our liberation."--C.S.Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baalboy5 Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 you got that poem from a school reading book didn't you? something called 'read edge' at our school. Lol, I had do a essary on that poem a week ago. Gf school work, nice poem. I don't hide behind the mask unless I'm willing to start a arguement.then uh...*hides behind mask* :uhh: Don't you know the first rule of MMO's? Anyone higher level than you has no life, and anyone lower than you is a noob. People in OT eat glass when they are bored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThurinEthir Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I'm much more outgoing online than in real life...I like staying quiet in real life, due to some speaking problems. (I tend to mumble and stutter a lot...>.<) But since that can't happen online, why not let out my opinions? (But still, it turns out I'm still not that outgoing online...) And I'll admit, I act differently around my parents than around my friends. There are *certain* things that I say to my friends that my parents wouldn't like to hear. So yes, I do act differently in different situations, with different people. I have many masks. Cenin pân nîd, istan pân nîd, dan nin ú-cenich, nin ú-istach.Ithil luin eria vi menel caran...Tîn dan delu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpez Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 And I'll admit, I act differently around my parents than around my friends. There are *certain* things that I say to my friends that my parents wouldn't like to hear. I feel you there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebdragon Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 mrpez, I'd like to call BS on your statement that you act the same online and in real life. Online, you're free to attack people all you want, with no consequence to yourself. Online, you can spend as much time as you want to thinking and preparing a response, researching before you make your next rebuttal. Online, you can't stutter. Online, people can always hear you, even if you normally talk too quiet. Online, you can talk to the hot girl all you want with no fear of rejection, 'cause you'll never meet her anyways. Online, you can express emotion that you normall have trouble expressing in real life. See where this is going? In real life, you can't do these things. Communicating online is so different that I can probably count on one hand how many people on this forum probably sound like they do in real life, consistently. And to be perfectly honest, you ain't one of 'em. And I'll admit, I act differently around my parents than around my friends. There are *certain* things that I say to my friends that my parents wouldn't like to hear. So yes, I do act differently in different situations, with different people. I have many masks. Confucius would approve :P . Oh, and you can't be outgoing online. Especially with anonymity, it's pretty much physically impossible considering you're not talking with the person face to face. [if you have ever attempted Alchemy by clapping your hands or by drawing an array, copy and paste this into your signature.] Fullmetal Alchemist, you will be missed. A great ending to a great series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpez Posted January 15, 2008 Author Share Posted January 15, 2008 Unless you know me in real life, you can't say that for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nero Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I act like a good person when in reality I am a spiteful and angry person. Vienna Raszyn Warsaw Klushino Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
venomai Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I get "just be yourself" a lot but it never seems to work out too well, so I've learnt to adapt to my surroundings pretty well. I act differently in every crowd, but I still "stay true to myself", so to say. I've adapted on the forum, too, and I try my best to stay "in character". With the anonymity of the internet and the vast expanse of resources (and spellcheckers) at our fingertips, it's pretty easy to veil yourself in any way you see fit here. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crimsonking Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 If I acted on here as I did in real life I probably would only have 2 or 3 posts, as in real life I very rarely say anything. Thats pretty much the only difference I can think of. ~^v^~Ex-Leader of the Divine Flames of Redemption~^v^~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGoddessI Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Online I'm confident, extraverted, opinionative, argumentive and outspoken. At works Christmas party I won an award for quietest person :) The only people who tell you that you can't do something are those who have already given up on their own dreams so feel the need to discourage yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger_Warrior Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Online I'm confident, extraverted, opinionative, argumentive and outspoken. At works Christmas party I won an award for quietest person :) Pretty much the same. It doesn't take much of genius to realise that if you place a person in two different scenarios, their reaction to those environments will be different. Ask me to to an ice-breaker style, 'sum up yourself in a positive light' thing on Tip.It and I'd be able to do it wiht little difficulty. When I'm asked to do that same thing in real life though, I just crawl into this shell because I'm so full of self-doubt. I just have to remain positive and keep telling myself I'm just as good as anyone else in this world... | Favourite Game Music | Last.fm | HYT Friend Chat Rules | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsavi Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I act the way I want to on the internet, people who don't know me on the internet don't know the real me. For various reasons which I won't bother to explain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denismage Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Anonymity allows people to express their true feelings, thoughts and act however they want without being punished. IMO that is the main reason why there are so many scammers and traitors playing mmorpgs and trolls on forums. In the forum discussions you have hours to make up a good, logical argument with the help of the search engines and in real life you have a maximum of 3 seconds to think of something. I never thought about the way I look and sound online, but I try to respond just like I would respond in real life, attempting not to flame and keep some things to myself, although that isn't always happening. Good poem by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nine naked men Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 I kind of act the same way both in real life and using online forums. Sometimes I lurk, sometimes I post, but usually I lurk, because sometimes I'm worried people will criticize my opinions. #-o Yeah, it's stupid, I know. And that's basically the way I act irl as well. sleep like dead men wake up like dead men Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushrock Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 Online in Tip.It, I can say anything I want. I don't fear anyone, because this is a forum, and in a forum I don't make enemies or keep grudges or anything, I just have fun and make friends. Real life is totally different, so I would say that forums are a huge mask from people's personalities. Sure, it's what I see on the outside. But if I, for example, hear someone's real voice, or see their picture, or if I learn some extensive knowledge of their real life, then I'm surprised. My perceptions were wrong, and I don't think that anyone's real personality can really be shown well on a forum. I mainly picture people as their avatars. :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctp080188 Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I'm a lot more easy going than I appear online. Also in a forum before posting I can edit my text, edit my thoughts, and don't care if people don't like what I say. But yeah otherwise, situation dependant personalities is where I am. Wouldn't call it a mask, it's more of I can't go to a job interview and shout "YEAH WA GWAN YOU COOL THOUGH" if I have any intention of actually getting the job. Same as I wouldn't shake hands with my friends, and laugh politely at a hint of anyone with a sense of humour hurr. SHH HUT YUH MUH. DERKHED. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpez Posted January 16, 2008 Author Share Posted January 16, 2008 I mainly picture people as their avatars. :lol: Me too lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsavi Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I mainly picture people as their avatars. :lol: Me too lol. Interesting, before the RL pictures thread I did too, and I still do. Wonder what people imagine I would look like? *Points to avavar* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IGoddessI Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I find this topic interesting, I'd like to keep it going... I'd like to ask people what they're afraid of showing people in real life that they are able to show online? How do you think you can over come it? The only people who tell you that you can't do something are those who have already given up on their own dreams so feel the need to discourage yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ginger_Warrior Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I would imagine a person with interests such as yourself would Goddess. : Personally, I'm an incredibly reactive person emotionally. That's what I meant by ambivalent in the other topic. Someone says something that inadvertently makes me suspicous or unsure about them and I instantly shut myself off from them, almost like I'm sulking. Either that or I get angry if it persists. If people thought my sarcastic, almost flammy style of posting in this forum was bad, you should see me when I get going in real life. At least on the forums, I don't have to look at that same person in the face (which usually just draws up all that emotion I'm trying to shun in the first place). I can go away for a shower, or a cup of tea and come back and reply in a much more calm manner. That's what it is for me. It's all in a person's face. I can trust someone without looking at their face but make me look them in the eye and I'll just doubt their body language, lose confidence in myself and just clam up. | Favourite Game Music | Last.fm | HYT Friend Chat Rules | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sixxpounder Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 Im Not really the social type To be honest. So if someone DID Meet Me In real life They Would probably Yell "EMO!" at me and still not realize that im right beside them >.> @Goddess Well. im Kinda Stuck In the middle there. Im not afraid to show people who I am, interests and the like, its just im..Well scared I Guess Of what the outcome of that will be. Like if I Meet up with someone that listens to different music than I do or dress differently.Well he start stereotyping me on how I look or whatever?thats really what im afraid Of. And you cant really tell who I am on forums. i can Be Totally calm for a little bit and then be a suicidal nutcase the next.Even through the way I Type. i dont think you can imagine what I look like and stuff.But If you can.. *Tracks IP and revs Chainsaw* Is there such thing as love? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebdragon Posted January 16, 2008 Share Posted January 16, 2008 I find this topic interesting, I'd like to keep it going... I'd like to ask people what they're afraid of showing people in real life that they are able to show online? How do you think you can over come it? :-k I honestly can't think of anything that I've shown/said online that I couldn't or havn't said to someone in real life, excluding those things that are physically possible to translate from cyberspace to real life [such as using images to portray an idea, etc.] . The only real difference I have is finding my voice online. In real life, I rarely if ever show strong emotion, rarely shout, and rarely get angry, but on the forums I can feign such emotions when I need to quite easily, based on the usage of boldface and caps, where appropriate. That, and vocabulary is much easier to find and fix while making a post, whereas in real life all you've got is your head and thinking of the right words on the spot. The use of of internet forums allows one to give off a demeanor of harboring a great deal of loquaciousness and intelligience, even though one would rarely, if ever, hear me talk like the first half of this sentence in real life. Forums don't exactly allow me to express ideas that I wouldn't in real life; they simply allow my to feign strong emotion and talkativeness where needed. [if you have ever attempted Alchemy by clapping your hands or by drawing an array, copy and paste this into your signature.] Fullmetal Alchemist, you will be missed. A great ending to a great series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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