from internet to real life ...

Category: Let's talk

Post 1 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Saturday, 05-Mar-2005 17:53:24

my question is this, how many of you have met people in person who you have been talking to on line. and I'm not just talking romantic experiences here I'm talking in general. and when you met, did you meet in a public place? and if not, why not, what was it about the person that made you trust them enough to meet at yours, or their house, and was that person the same in person as on line?

Post 2 by sugar (Entertain me. I dare you.) on Saturday, 05-Mar-2005 18:55:18

hmm, I've met four people off the net now. The first came to my house but I wasnt' on my own and we were just mates, well at first anyway, so it wasn't heavy. The second person I met off the net, well kind of, was Harp. Lucky he's ok, coz I was drunk when I met him and not in a place I knew so potentially, that was an incredibly stupid thing I did there, but it was ok, as I reckon a lot of you know, smile. The third person I met off the net, I talked to him for about six months and then found out that one of my friends knew him personally, so they came with me to meet him and that was all good. He's a really good friend and I must go and see him soon. That was in a public place, and I think it's just made us better friends. The fourth, and most recent, I do regret. I'd been talking to the person in question on and off since last summer and I know people who've met him both off the net, and who have known him for years so I assumed it would be cool. He's at uni so I went to see him there. Not one of the best things I ever did. We don't talk as a result of it. He's certainly not the person I thought he was, but you live and learn. I think, as long as your confident in yourself and reasonably confident in the person you are meeting, there shouldnt' be a problem, also, as long as someone knows where you are going, that's important. Other than that, i think it depends on how well you know the person, i,e, how long you've been talking to them, and to what extent, but ideally, try and meet in a public place.

Post 3 by Caitlin (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Saturday, 05-Mar-2005 20:12:31

I'm going to meet RdFreak and Enchanterglen off here in June, and possibly Tyr later in life as he may come down here to study. I'm really excited!

Post 4 by Witchcraft (Account disabled) on Sunday, 06-Mar-2005 2:30:57

I've met 7 people from online. Not all have turned out, but some have. I don't think whether it's a public place really matters just as long as (1) Someone knows where your going, and (2) Your not alone and neither are they. You can envite friends over for the meeting, or to go along, you can meet them in a public place or at a friend's or family members home. I met my husband in my father's home, and well, as a lot may know...That's turned out wonderfully, but the main thing is we spent know time alone until I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I could trust him. Still can get tripped, but it's a percaution. But, better to be safe then sorry.

Post 5 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Sunday, 06-Mar-2005 4:59:23

I've not met anyone purely on the basis of an online chat. I think that is one of the most unwise things a person, whoever he or she may be, can do. If you must insist on it, then of course the forum chosen should be a public place, but what people must remember is that on the internet, it is easy to be whomever you want to be. There are a lot of frauds out there, as well as a lot of people a few sticks short of a bundle. so especially to younger zoners I would say act with extreme caution. I'm bound to say, moreover, that if I had a kid and they wanted to meet someone from the internet, if they were under 16, let's say, I certainly wouldn't be happy to allow them to unless I were present, and certainly not in the mere presence of another schoolfriend.

Post 6 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Sunday, 06-Mar-2005 5:00:30

I should add here that I think some people, who shall remain nameless, demonstrate a very silly and unwise approach to this subject and are lucky that they haven't paid a dearer price for their follies.

Post 7 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Sunday, 06-Mar-2005 9:52:31

I agree quite some time ago I began this on line friensdhip witha woman from Michigan shortly after this ,I was emailed by another friend, to say she had contacted her, in the context of "can you tell me everything about Alex" ...


.......needless to say I was fuming and the 1st "friend" had asked to meet me ect,though I got the impression she was after something which she hoped I would proivide, she was also keen on cyber sex which is totally unsatisfying for me..

Post 8 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Sunday, 06-Mar-2005 10:42:15

It takes all sorts, old lad, it takes all sorts. There are some nutcases out there all right, and the zone is certainly blessed with its compliment of them. I shall leave you to draw such inferences as you shall think fit.

Post 9 by wildebrew (We promised the world we'd tame it, what were we hoping for?) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 8:31:31

I've met 3 people from internet chats (in my 8 years of on and off chatting on various internet based chat programs). I never set out to actually get to know someone personally online but if I end up sharing common interest with a person I don't mind things progressing to phone conversations and, if the situation arises, possibly an in person meeting.
Admittedly two out of these 3 meetings whad certain romantic overtones and both of them turned out successful, well as in the girls I met this way I dated for almost 2 years (first case in 1997 and then 2002) and the fact it did not work out for, well for good I guess, had nothing to do with how we met although long distance had a huge negative part to play. But the third case was simply someone I had chatted on and off with that came to Iceland as a tourist. That meeting was wth a friend in a shopping mall, the other two were, of course, somewhat more private but both times at a family's place with lots of people around.
I think I am a very good judge of character and I talked to those people for months on the phone before meeting them in person.
I don't assume people on here necessarily being the same as they are in real life and in a way I don't even want them to be and generally speaking I like keeping online things online, however I know good friendships and relationships can develop online and if it is the time/place/opportunity to meet in person and explore further I dont see that being objectionable but younger zoners and especially girls need to be extremely, and I mean extremely cautious.
cheers
-B

Post 10 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 9:11:48

Would that everyone took that approach. alas, most people seem not to, and seem to jump in at the first opportunity.

Post 11 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 12:22:51

there certainly are pal and this 1 was a 1st class eejit..I fully expect her to turn up here, in fact, that may already be the case..

Post 12 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 13:00:19

what amazes me in so many instances is how much people trust people they meet on line. exchange phone numbers, addresses ... etc. I have only ever given out my address to two people I knew on line, one was after I'd known him for 3 years and he sent me some software, and the other was to the only person I've ever met from the internet. as for my phone number .. again, i'm extremely reluctant to give that out, and hence why programmes such as skype are so useful - that way you don't have to give out your details to anyone who might abuse them. and if/when you find out they're not who they clim to be, you just delete them and all communication can be severed.

Post 13 by n1umj (Veteran Zoner) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 13:05:45

I've never met anyone in person that I knew first online, came close a couple times and I'm sure I will some day but not yet, if/when I do it will be in public though for sure as I trust no one until I really know them and then I decide if I can trust them or not.

Post 14 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 13:36:58

it's not necessarily a matter of trust though I don't think. I know people on line who I haven't yet met and yet I do trust them, enough to give out my phone number for instance, I think it's often a matter of common sense though, and i think that sometimes that can get lost in the whole mistique of internet.

Post 15 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 14:05:03

Precisely, precisely. it's common sense, all of it. However, it's so easy to lose sight of that when you meet someone whom you think you like, then you should beware.

Post 16 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 14:07:13

there are only 3 people here I would want to meet and eh I think it would be interesting to say the least..smile.....

However giving out my phone number is a no no! As I would worry about it being passed on to someone truly unscrupulous,the new fear now is identity theft and that's not something I want to go through...

Post 17 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 16:24:04

Well I'm going to kill you all anyway, regardless of whether I've met you or not. in fact if I haven't met you, it'll be easier. You won't know when it'll happen, you won't know where, you won't know why nor how, but one thing is certain: you're doomed!

Post 18 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 16:32:58

The last guy I met on the itnernet, I killed him, you know. That's right, made him a cup of tea and poisoned it. Stayed out in a tree and watched....he was drinking it and then suddenly we heard this tinkling of China and then "Oh no! Charles! You've spilt your tea! Are you all right? Oh my godd he's dead! call the police!" and then the policemen came and one of them said "All right what's happening here? stand back, there's nothing to see. No Madam there's nothing you can do here, and by the way, is that your car outside?" "Yes, but what about Charles!" "never mind that, Madam, your road tax is out of date." "But Charles! "All right, well, who was the last person to see him alive?" "I was of course!" "Right, you're under arrest." And off they went! So watch it you lot.

Post 19 by sugar (Entertain me. I dare you.) on Monday, 07-Mar-2005 18:46:43

rofl ll,

Post 20 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 7:11:30

well I would just like to announce that sugarbaby was murdered last night. One minute she was drinking a hearty cup of coco, and the next ... dead! they think it was some nutter that had threatened to kill people ... lawlord is the chief suspect ... but sugarbaby uttered a last sentence in her dying breath ... "I shall be back to avenge this crime law lord" ...

Post 21 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 9:23:22

LOL! That just makes me all the more determined pal and poison honestly its so old fashioned although in saying that,insulin is a useful weapon,its almost impossible to trace via an autopsy, as its absorbed so quickly in the body 10 cc's should be enough to kill, any less just causes catastrpohic brain damage, but if want them to suffer eternally then 5-6 should do the trick..

Post 22 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 9:57:46

Exactly, Goblin, and it was I who commissioned the research to discover that.

Post 23 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 10:09:10

Bollocks!... my partner who has been diabetic since she was 4, informed me of this, when we were discussing the perfect murder,which I believe I have discovered..

Post 24 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 10:44:17

And you'll be the victim of the perfect murder if you keep contradicting me. Macbeth was right, you know, it's easier after the first one.

Post 25 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 11:48:01

well ll you might not have to murder him if his stalker catches up with him before you do

Post 26 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Tuesday, 08-Mar-2005 16:38:26

No, I guess not, but if the stalker does it then it won't be the perfect murder, because only the Lawlord has perfected the art of intentional homicide.

Post 27 by Goblin (I have proven to myself and the world that I need mental help) on Wednesday, 09-Mar-2005 9:16:42

come ahead pal come ahead I know your bragging will all be for nothing...

Post 28 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Wednesday, 09-Mar-2005 11:54:20

He's worried now.

Post 29 by sugarbaby (The voice of reason) on Wednesday, 09-Mar-2005 13:28:48

of course he is! be afraid, be very afraid

Post 30 by Resonant (Find me alive.) on Sunday, 13-Mar-2005 22:14:52

*glances nervously at cup of tea* How very Agatha Kristey.

Hehe, we're always told that the secret service/federal bureau/military inteligence/men-in-black types are watching us on-line. This thread'll give 'em something to watch.

Post 31 by lawlord (I'm going for the prolific poster awards!) on Monday, 14-Mar-2005 4:13:40

MI5 are the best intelligence services in the world.

Post 32 by Inesle1987 (Account disabled) on Sunday, 20-Mar-2005 12:06:06

Um, not really on the net, but I had a pen friend and I met her in person. I met her when I came to the school where she was, so it was a public place. I have to say, I was a bit disappointed when I met this person, she sounded nice via letter, but in real life she was very strange.