Why is this?

Question

I've noticed that online, people can be extremely mean, malicious and rude, saying things that you would never hear anyone say in person. Why is this? Is it because they feel braver when people can't see their face? I mean, even on here, people ask honest, genuine questions, (which, sometimes, may be a little stupid, but still) and they get these awful responses. Am I the only one who notices this?

Answer 1

Yes, exactly, they are braver online! Of course there are always some rude people anywhere. Online, there are more, because they can be anoymous. That way quite a few people who wouldn't dare being so rude in person feel all brave and strong to type rude answers from the safety of their own home.

But the best thing you can do is ignore such behaviour. Apart from some people who just feel *very* strongly about an issue and lose their temper, most of these rude folks just do this to get a rise out of others. If people get angry and respond to them -either in the same answer thread or with a question such as yours- that is exactly what they want, they love it! On the other hand, if no one were to respond, their 'joke' would fall flat, they'd quickly get bored and find something else to do. So either ignore them or if it's really bad, hit the 'report' flag and give them an abuse report (it doesn't show up for anyone else to see except as a thumbs-down). Don't give them the satisfaction of calling even more attention to their antics!

Answer 2

For some it is a game, for others the spirit of a bully. Whatever it tends to all hang out behind the cloak of anonymity.

It is something that we all have to guard against. Open e-mail addresses and true photos, instead of an Avatar, would change things a lot. Real names would change things even more. Cause I would know where you live!!!! Then all the big scientific and religious credentials would be on the line also.

We all have our moods, our good days and bad. Yet the nature of our world often seems nothing more than a terrible polarity of spirits.

Answer 3

You are absolutely correct: "they feel braver when people can't see their face."

People who are insecure sometimes like to have different personalities online than they do in real life, usually because they're insecure and because they're not happy with their "real," life. People like to have a place where they can act superior without as much judgement or as many consequences as there would be in real life.

Answer 4

No, but keep in mind that you can't hear the tone of voice when someone types something. They can hear it in their head but don't realize that the person reading it can't "hear" it they way they're "saying" it in their head. Sarcasm and honesty are often mistaken for one another. But then some of the responses are OBVIOUSLY rude, so I guess maybe it is because there's no real consequence. For some people it makes for a good way to quickly and easily vent out a day's worth of frustration I guess!

Answer 5

I'm stupid online, sometimes. It's not because I'm insecure or want to bully people, it's just because I don't see the internet as "real" and I don't take it too seriously.

I'm actually amazed that people are offended by things that happen in chat rooms and on myspace and such. Those places are novelties for me, not parts of my real life like my flesh and blood friends and family. If a stranger in a chat room says something rude to me, it doesn't phase me.

Answer 6

You're a ****** idiot you know.......just kidding :) but yeah people think they are the shiznit cause they are never gona get their *** kicked when they are behind closed doors, obviously people wouldn't act this way in public, they'd get their *** kicked! Obviously if this website demanded that everyone must have a live webcam for everyone could see each other or even display their home phonenumber and not a fake one, no one would dare be ******* or even racist..

Answer 7

that's achieveable he shares the comparable emotions as you, yet because of the actuality he has to go away for the autumn and wintry climate he think of it maximum suitable to proceed to be as acquaintances and not initiate a dating. communique is fundamental. in case you will not be able to tell him head to head the way you experience approximately him, then write a letter to him. See what the reaction is and bypass from there. Closed mouths don't get fed.

Answer 8

It is the same effect when people wear costumes and masks.

I lived in Europe for awhile and the Carnival is clebrated just before Lent. People wear masks and do / say things they would never consider without a mask.

Answer 9

I agree with you. I think people are honestly this mean it is just that, like you said, people can't see faces so they are more inept to let their meaness show.

As far as when people ask a stupid question, even when they seriously don't know answer, I think these mean people are just either to stupid to answer honestly or they simply themselves don't know the answer.

Answer 10

we surpress our feelings so much in life especially at work because we have to. Wouldnt it be great to just say what you wanted when you wanted to whom you wanted without fear of repercussions? Well on these sort of things like yahoo answers you can and I think most people find it a good form of release where they can indulge thier 'bad' side!