Can you be friends with someone you meet online?

Question

Considering how many people who meet others through websites like this and MySpace, can you have a normal friendship with someone you've never met?

Are you willing to open up to a complete stranger and pour your heart out?

Or are people's persona's on the internet completely differnt to who they are in person that if you let them become your friend, Their not being themselves.

So, whats your veiw :-)

Answer 1

one of my best friends i met online. i invited her to my wedding and she spent christmas with us this past year. i talk to her everyday and tell her everything. i totally think you can be yourself with an "internet" friend

Answer 2

I have many friendships with people I have meet online.
I traveled around Canada & America for 8months staying on & off with different people i had met and formed friendships with online. That takes a lot of trust on my part and theirs that the other isn't an axe murderer.
But I think as for pouring your heart out to a stranger online, its probably easier cause there is a safety barrier there in that the chances of you meeting the other person is slim unless you both put an effort in. You don't have to be looking at this person when saying what your saying so you don't know what their reaction is outside of what they say to you through the internet - there is less chance of direct rejection.
If the other person lies in their persona, that will come through sooner than later - they won't be able to keep the lie going long enough. And once you do find out who they really are than its a choice you make to continue being friends with them, or not talking to them anymore, personally I would stop talking to them cause I don't like people who lie about themselves.
I'm only ever honest and the people who have meet me will say the same.

Answer 3

you can be friends with anyone, anywhere, sometimes close friendships are formed online. Some people prefer to have online friends rather than regular see you every day friends.
some people don't want friends so much as some one to talk to once in a while. Did you see the movie"You've Got Mail" (Sandy Bullock and Tom Hanks) yes I believe those kinds of friendships can be formed.
I know that my persona is pretty much what you see me writting, of course it does change by the second, you see I'm a changling. (lol), Here on this forum, it depends on the questions.
I run a business, and spend a lot of time in church, I make jewerly, I'm a crafter, and a published writer of christian poetry.
I'm already working on another book, why am I giving all this info? Hell I don't know. Mabe it's to say why I don't have time.
Or am I opening up to complete strangers online.???? hmmm

Answer 4

It really depends. The more time you spend, the more you get to know them, but becareful for those predators out there that trap you. You have to be sure by asking questions, lots of photos, talk on the phone, see them through video, do whatever you can to see that they're evidently real.

To answer your question, YES it's definitely possible to be friends, a real one, from the internet. People have met on-line and have gotten married and have a great married life. It's rare, but if you look hard enough or are patient enough, it can happen.

People's personas can be different on-line than in person, but after an hour of being with them, the ice is usually broken down. It might feel weird at first because it's your first time meeting each other, and sometimes, their persona is acutally better in real life because they respond in real time in comparison to internet time. ;)

When I meet people on-line, I make sure they're real. Look for real evidence, etc. It took me exactly 1 year to trust a person, we met up and totally clicked. He was better in person than on the internet. It was the greatest fate I've ever had. Best. :)

Answer 5

Lots of people put on a different persona when they are on the internet, or so I have seen. I know I have done it on many different occassions and have been witness to others doing it also. You can have a friendship with people online if both parties are being open and yourself with the other person.

Answer 6

personaly i think yes u can have wonderful friends online, but keep ur personal stuff to urself unless u really beleive u can trust somone.i met my bf online but when we met i was in a public place and with my parents. having an online buddy is nice because people cant judge u on how u look ,but how u act or what ur personality is and thats how it should be but it isnt.but be careful there ARE alot of bad people on the internet as well pick ur friends carefully

Answer 7

to the person above, its defff not true. If people online were all fake, i would be too. I am who I am online, dunno how to impersonate someone else. Ill tell you, most of my trusted friends who I would sacrifice my life for(if i could) are online friends. ive known them for years & years and nothing proves they are fake. trust me, if there was a fake, you would eventually know. I am not saying, you should trust every online person.Of course, someone may be messin wif your mind.

And yes, some peoples persona on the internet may be contrary to in person-good or bad OR both. My friends persona online is very quiet & boring. But in person he is very talkative and fun!!

Get to know a person for a year or so before opening your self to them:) GOOD LUCK! I assure you, there are very friendly people around the world!!

Answer 8

Yes

Answer 9

I think people all aren't what they seem. Think about it. We really don't know people and we're around them all the time. I can't even imagine really trusting anybody from the Internet. Just have fun with it and keep your personal stuff personal.

Answer 10

yes but not poring my heart out asap i would wait and see if they are really a normal person that looks to chat to someone that is bored just like them i have a few u just gotta use ur intuition lol !!!!

Answer 11

i met my bf online and we've been together for 2 months, and known eachother for 1 and a half years : ) i think its better to meet them online cause its easier to talk and to get to know eachother at first, as long as u know u can trust them