Abers In Real Life

[nailit]

The amount of sniping that goes on here, whether it be religion, politics or whatever is unbelievable at times (mods as well, removing posts that THEY deem as against the rules)
BUT, do you ever think that you could meet another ABer and think ''I was wrong about this person''?
In real life I have a very close friend that is a retired pastor...on here I am an atheist. I have friends that are very right wing re politics and friends that are very left wing. None of us has a problem with each other as people. Myself and friends disagree on race, religion, immigration etc but its not a problem and we dont demonize each other.
might it be different if we knew each other in real life?

[nailit]

PS, I count myself among the snipers....
Cant help it at times :-)

[Cloverjo]

There are some people here who I would love to meet IRL. There are others that I really wouldn't, but who knows how we would get on if we did?

[Baldric]

Depends how honest you are online, I'm sure.
There are people on here I could never agree with in the real world.

[pixie374]

I think so, very much.... mostly because typed words on their own don't always come over the same way. AB isn't like real life :-)

[emmie]

i think this site is good for venting one's feelings, but wouldn't necessarily be the same if you knew the people involved personally.
i would love to meet some from AB, they are funny, intelligent people, even if one doesn't agree with their point of view.

[pixie374]

It's not necessarily just about honesty, baldric. It also depends how articulate you are. I find communication so much easier face to face.

[nailit]

Thing is,,, people can have a 'dig' online, just because they can. Its anonymous. Would that same person say the same thing to anothers face? Not because they are scared but because they are twofaced?

[Baldric]

I would not say anything on AB that I would not say Face to Face, just not my style.

[Mamyalynne]

I think sometimes the safety and distance a screen and keyboard gives you can make you bolder in response, but hopefully not enough to change your real self.

[Buenchico]

I detest all religions and my politics are generally way to the right of Margaret Thatcher's and a bit to the right of Adolph Hitler's. However my best friend is a fervent Roman Catholic (who never misses a church service, studies Theology to Masters degree level and beyond, and stays at Catholic retreats run by monks and nuns), as well as being a dedicated socialist.

Back in my teaching days, I was regional secretary of the non-striking Professional Association of Teachers (which was generally regarded as right-wing), a Maggie-worshipper and a dedicated atheist. My best friend was a member of the National Executive of the (left-wing) NAS/UWT, a socialist and a Methodist lay preacher.

It just makes for some interesting discussions ;-)

[nailit]

Theres not many people on AB that I cant find some empathy with, or at least somewhere in common to start, just find it sad that it always ends up with complete animosity.

[pixie374]

No, I wouldn't say something about someone that I wouldn't say to them.

[nailit]

Chris, you've totally lost me there, I salute you...

[Baldric]

OK Chris, but what about real life?

[DTCwordfan]

The Scottish crew are delightful and well worth meeting and befriending. Only one Welsh person to date, so that would be unfair but worth a pint of Brains or whatever.

The English and Irish to date, a mixed bag - they probably think the same way......

Haven't met any overseas ABites - yet.....

[Baldric]

Who is the Welsh one?

[DTCwordfan]

Talking about the Irish, I was preparing Christmas cards today and Psybb's name came up - I'll send her family one but if you are looking down from a distance, Psybb, many of us still remember and love you, so have a few glasses of Roederer up there for you and us over the festive season xxx

[DTCwordfan]

Nah, Balders, unfair....how's Mrs B doing.....maybe Cornwall this coming year, very recuperative airs down here.

[Tilly2]

I concur, DTC. I do miss her.

[sherrardk]

I'm much more likely to share my worries and brag about my kids on here than I am in real life.