scrubbedexpat097

How often on online forums like BE and social media like Facebook that someone's opinions completely surprise you or are taken in the wrong context?

Do people state their opinions more openly and more aggressively online than if they were face to face with the other people they are conversing with??

Just curious as to what other people think. I have recently been surprised by a few people I know quite well being very outspoken and hostile on subjects I really didn't think they ever had much interest in, let alone a very forceful and aggressive opinion. I just can't imagine them acting this way if it was a discussion we were having together.


People can be weird

Wintersong

I've been told that I'm much quieter and less opinionated in person - lol!

But yes - when you're communicating online, people feel free to say things they would never say in person. It can be quite eye-opening

scrubbedexpat099

I am very restrained on line.

Wintersong

I can tell...

scrubbedexpat099

scrubbedexpat097

I am the opposite. I tend to be a lot more opinionated in person. I find it easier to express myself with the spoken word more than the written word.



Sure...of course you are sweetheart

moneypenny20

I'm more outspoken online. It's because in real life I'm more likely to be giving you a 'look' which says all that needs to be said. Online I don't have that luxury, I have to whitter on instead.

Nutek

Mrs. N. doesn't let me speak to people in real life. She says its better that way, for all concerned.

scrubbedexpat097

Mrs N is probably a very wise woman

scrubbedexpat097

I have a 'look', it's a cross between and

It's been known to make grown men cry

Nutek

She says I have no filter so I have to use hers.

Nutek

Paddington Bear stare.

Dorothy

I would probably say that I'm about the same in person as online. If I have an opinion then I'm happy to share it.

ChocolateBabz

I think partly the anonymity allows people to say things they wouldn't in 'real life' to someone's face. Secondly though I think without tone and body language it's very easy to take things the wrong way. Just this morning on a Facebook group I belong to a lady made a post that on first reading came off as very rude and a lot of people took offence and ripped in to her. Other people read more into her post and thought she was being funny and yet more people thought maybe she was alluding to her having a mental illness. If you add in that sometimes English is a second language for some posters I try to take things with a pinch of salt. In the end Admin deleted her post.

I actually find that emoji's help convey the intent of the post - serious/joking/sarcastic and an LOL or a couple of laughing faces would have completely changed the way this woman's post was received.

lansbury

I find the intolerance by some to opinions they don't agree with quite alarming. There is no consideration of what others say, they are immediately called names or accused of being phobic this or anti that. There is little respect for the fact we do not all think or believe the same things.

Another thing I discovered living in the US you have to be careful what you say as most things are taken literally. When I was on council I would throw out a suggestion for discussion and perhaps to be thought about and before I knew it staff were acting on it as if it was an instruction.

Do I say things on BE I wouldn't say in public no, but then I don't always express an opinion I personally believe in. Sometimes intolerance needs prodding with a stick.