I’m so much cooler online
Actually, I’m not that cool at all. I’ve always been very backwards when it comes to social interaction, especially when dealing with people I don’t know well.
There are situations that I can do well in, like meetings where I have a good working knowledge of the subject. I can verbalize much easier in that regard than I can in more interpersonal situations.
I find it much easier to communicate in writing. I love email, texts and twitter. I generally despise actually talking on the phone. I find it difficult to gather my thoughts into words when speaking to other people personally, although I usually do well in a presentation mode (again where I control the subject matter).
In emails, or on social networks, I am much more outgoing (although I still carefully consider my messages that are sent directly to people). I find it much easier to hold a conversation with someone I don’t know well within the confines of email, twitter, or even over SMS.
My wife is the absolute opposite. She does extremely well in social situations, always seems at ease in conversation, and can make fast friends of just about anyone. She is on Facebook, but for the most part, does not get that involved in socializing online, except for the convenience of communicating short messages. She doesn’t Twitter, does not have any interest in getting on Twitter, and really does not understand my fascination with it.
So, blog readers, where do you feel most comfortable socializing? Are you more social online or off? Somewhere in the middle?
I am neither…..Haha I can’t get into twitter or facebook, I can’t stand having to talk to people I don’t well in person either. Maybe I should get a pass because I try though, even though it doesn’t work as well as I want it too. I think Dub just has a cool heir about him though….that counts for alot.
I’m in the middle here. I’m better in smaller situations than larger ones, but I like having my online and real world intersect. I’m not a life of the party type person at all, but my online friendships have mostly been enriched and deepened through either meeting face to face (with the obvious pinnacle of this being my wife – duh), or via video chat like in LifeGroup Online.
Never been all that interested in phone calls either.
i definitely prefer writing to speaking, so i’m all about all the social-media platforms. (i’d text rather than call any day of the week, too.)
but i feel like i’m getting better at the in-person thing. maybe because i’ve always had to do it (occupational hazard), or because i’m getting more comfortable in my own skin. the first 15 minutes still feel very awkward and forced for me, but then i’m usually (depending on the crowd) i’m able to relax and just be myself.