...be ruder online than in person? Is it something about the supposed anonymity of the keyboard that makes people feel untouchable? Case in point- Conservatives about Liberals, and Liberals about Conservatives. Oh, and the whole smoker/nonsmoker issue.
2006-08-03 13:24:38 · 28 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
You have a virtual image, and as long as no one knows you, your reputation will not be hurt. It is the same reason that you do different things when you are wearing a mask that when you are not.
Would guys hit each others butts normally? Straight guys? No. But that is exactly what happens in football and other sports.
2006-08-03 13:29:52 · answer #1 · answered by mommy_mommy_crappypants 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
My parents -- my mother especially -- rasied me to be respectful of other people, and to be polite. I have always carried those lessons with me where ever I have gone, from my years at college to these more modern days on the internet.
I have seen a lot of changes in the world during my 54 years. Unfortunately, one of the changes I have seen is that parents are no longer instilling the virtues of simply being nice to other people in their children, at least not to the degree my parents did while I was growing up in the '50's and '60's.
I think the anonymity of the internet is a factor, but I believe the greater factor is that gentleness and politness have become casualties in our modern society.
2006-08-03 20:33:53 · answer #2 · answered by Nihl_of_Brae 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do think it's the anonymity. Also, I think even people I know are a bit ruder in emails than in person. It's easier to be blunt on c aomputer, more than in person. You can be braver and more impersonal with any kind of note. Maybe an answering machine too.
It's sad.
2006-08-03 20:30:18 · answer #3 · answered by American citizen and taxpayer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before the advent of the Internet, they were called "paper tigers": people who were forceful, opinionated and given to rudeness in their letters and memos, but weak or even invisible "in person".
These are the same personalities that shout insults at you once you're too far away to reach them with your fists; and will run when you turn to face them.
There are countless sad, ill-formed people out there who seek to present an "on line persona" quite unlike the person they are in actual fact. Usually those who have neither the backbone nor intellectual capacity to stand up for themselves face-to-face.
These are the "paper tigers" of the new age.
The "virtual tigers".
The treatment of whom has not changed. Ignore them and they'll go way. Your irritation is their titillation.
Don't give them the pleasure.
:-)
2006-08-03 20:41:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because people need to express themselves! Out in the real world other person's expectations about us tend to force us to act according to that stereotype, so we keep a lot of things caged up inside. This allows them to be themselves with a certain amount of anonymity. Don't let it get to you though, they may only be blowing steam. You know the saying, "Actions speak louder than words!"
2006-08-03 20:46:50 · answer #5 · answered by Michael 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anonymity plays a key role, of course.
But, I think it's even deeper. If you don't feel good about yourself, you have no recourse but to judge the people here unmercifully.
The folks that feel the need to attack.... are, in reality, attacking themselves all the time.
It's sad really. Maybe the answer is to not take it personally... and to consider the source.
2006-08-03 20:34:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
My experience has been the opposite. The people I talk with are polite and very careful how they type their answers. I'm on a forum with ages 13-65.
Unfortunately, people who are on opposite sides of the fence and who tend to be a bit narrow minded forget their manners when disagreeing with someone in an online conversation. Sad, isn't it?
2006-08-03 20:31:00 · answer #7 · answered by Blue 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Same holds true for road rage. Because the e-mail or car is 'anonymous' and you can't see or experience the emotions of the other person, people can be incredibly rude and not feel bad or guilty about their negative behavior.
2006-08-03 20:30:06 · answer #8 · answered by mJc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For most I do believe it is the whole anonymity thing. As for myself, I will admit that I am just a biatch. I don't do it to hurt anyone's feelings, or anything. I will speak my mind, in person or online, on those topics that I feel passionately about.
2006-08-03 20:29:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The computer is too powerful. The keyboard is the only hardcore weapon they can use.
I try and do that too. Even in real life, if there was a stupid question, I would snap.
Seriously. Most of my answers are of what I think.
2006-08-03 20:29:17 · answer #10 · answered by vinible2006 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋