Posted by TexasChic on June 7, 2006, at 17:08:50
In reply to Untitled esteem post, posted by curtm on June 7, 2006, at 13:13:57
This seems to be a ritual that all new people who stick around awhile seem to go through. Its a misconception brought on by the reality of internet chatrooms. I know many times I respond to people in my head, but don't post it. Sometimes I read and enjoy the post, but feel I have nothing to contribute to the conversation. Sometimes it seems that you couldn't put it any better than how someone else already did. Sometimes no one responds because they figure someone else will. Sometimes I'm upset and don't feel like posting. There's a million reasons why people don't respond.
Its just not the same as communicating IRL, with facial expressions and tone of voice to go by. Its hard to grasp, but your words are read by way more people than those that actually respond to you. Many times I've felt like I'm writing to nobody only to later find out certain people were loyally following along the whole time. They just never said anything!
So basically if no one responds to your post, you just have to take it in stride and try not to take it personally. You have to think, 'oh well', and try again. Believe me, its happened to all of us. Further up I called myself 'Queen of the thread killers' because alot of times when I add to a post, no one ever posts to that thread again. So I 'killed' the thread. You just can't take these things personally. We're in an anonymous setting where we feel free to either express ourselves or not.
People have also said it seems like we all know each other. They seem to think they're missing out on part of the conversation somehow. I've really only known a few people here for longer than a few months, and many for alot less. And although some people do talk to each other outside of babble, I pretty much never do myself.
I hope this helps and makes sense. I just hate to see people go through this because its just an anomaly that happens because of the unique environment of chatrooms. Its not at all personal.
-T
poster:TexasChic
thread:654054
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20060604/msgs/654158.html