Do you find that conversing with people on WP...

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I know what you mean. I know it can't be helped because it will never be instant unless you're speaking directly with someone but I think the time delay for me is an aspect of it aswell. Does anyone else feel like that? Although it also has advantages because I don't feel very "quick" IRL social situations whereas here, as others have said you can think about a reponse. Strangely enough though I think I used to feel more part of the "community" than I do now, or maybe I'm just seeing the past with rose tinted specs.

I often think you are very witty Guybrush, I wish I could be like that.

I check almost every five to ten minutes for replies and responses; might be underlying evidence of desperation to reach out for friends and stuff, et cetera.

It's like waiting longingly day by day for a parcel or package to arrive.

Ah never mind.

Last edited by identity on 11 May 2012, 8:56 am, edited 2 times in total.

I set up an email alert for topics that interest me - or that I have contributed to. And desktop notifications for incoming emails.
Not just here but also for Facebook - because otherwise I just forget about my account there...
But then.. I'm curious, too. I can't even say about what. So often it's more like I receive a package that someone else has ordered and sometimes something interesting is in it and sometimes I have no idea what I'm supposed to make of it.

Currently I check on the topic immediately after receiving a notification but that might be mainly because I actually have to study for my social psychology exam on Monday...
My internet presence waxes and wanes in conjuction with factors that I have not yet fully determined. But overall study load and coursework deadlines definitely have a part. (A new playstation game lowers my online activity significantly, too, though.)

Actually, ZX_SpectrumDisorder's picture made me laugh! Not laughing "at you", as it were.

I try not to go on this forum too much as I know what you mean, it does make me feel lonely if I go on here too often. It feels worst at night, from 10pm onwards I'd say. I tend to post on here when I'm in a bad mood.

This is true. Doesn't necessarily mean you'd get on with them in real life, though, which is why often, some Internet interests are best kept there...



Good for you. Do the crowds have an effect on just how stressful you find it? If so, have you thought about going at quieter times?



Call it "therapeutic".



Good for you!



I find that it's good when you can just get in the car/on the bus/on the train and go and see the people you want to see who you've been speaking to on the Internet, and then come back.



You'll have to give me some recommendations!



I know it's Twenty Questions but would you mind me asking what you draw and paint?



Have you perhaps just thought of doing the scattergun approach (posting about many different topics in various threads) and have other hobbies to keep yourself going in the meantime? That way, if people respond to your posts, they will and if they don't, they don't.

I've found that Flickr really doesn't satisfy me either. I felt like people rarely commented on others' photos, unless it's an extremely popular photographer with a billion contacts--If they regularly post spectacular photos, then they can post a picture that is, IMO, nothing special, and have ten or twenty people comment on how great it is.

But I don't usually feel lonely after writing online. In an other online support group I participate in, I've found very deep friendships. I don't think any of us would ever consider being friends outside of the internet, but our online relationships have been really healing and supportive.

What kind of things do you do to build a social life? What kind of things are available in your area--photography groups? Or art gallery receptions?

I think online friendships are just as real as one's in the physical time, but there is something special about being able to laugh with someone in real-time.

I well know where you're coming from with this.



There really isn't anything like that round here. I live in a small town, and everyone generally knows everyone else. There is the occasional photography exhibition at the local library, but I can't be arsed with that.

I usually go on WP later in the evening, and it seems quite quiet then. I guess there aren't so many people around at that time, or are in different forums to the ones I visit. So I end up feeling a bit sad and lonely. I hadn't thought about it before, but I guess some people posting late at night are likely to be feeling a bit low, angry, lonely etc and this may be reflected in their posts.

WP for me isn't a replacement, but a voice i can have that only a few friends can relate to. plus were sorounded by people of like intrests(and same level of extreme) if i talk about nld w/ a lot of my friends either it becomes, or they think it's about simpathy, and i hate when people try to give me simpathy. so i've learned to keep somethings out of my outside personal life.
i'll keep you guys/girls inside......like the freak i am!

Not really, as nobody really talks to me here (but then again, I don't really strike up too many conversations with people personally either,) or seems to not like me much or have too much in common with me. So I mostly feel guilty over all the time I waste here that I could spend doing something productive.

I don't get much interaction here or online in general, same applies IRL too. Maybe people don't like the way I come across, or maybe I'm just boring I don't know. In any case I've spent all of my life feeling isolated and different, since its nothing new I just try and get by and not let it bother me. At least I'll always have my interests.

Have you not thought of reading and responding to threads created earlier in the day? That might help?

I've been thinking about this thread since you started it Tequila and I didn't really have an adequate answer before now.

I think it depends on why you use WP and your expectations of it, as well as how much social interaction (both quanitity and quality) you get outside this place.

If you have very few friends in real life, then it would be very easy to transfer your expectations of a frendship to this place.

Even though I have friends IRL, they are never really going to "get" me. I use this place to connect with others like myself and for the most part, I think it works. Quite a few of us on here have a half decent understanding of one another that most people we know IRL just don't. Since I dealt with people so much with my job, I can really appreciate that about this place.

Sure, I wish sometimes I could go out and grab a drink with some of the members from here and spend time with them in real life. And sometimes you do just need a hug from someone who gets it. But at the end of the day I usually leave WP feeling better than when I logged on.

this site enabled me to find real friends IRL. actually, i'm not sure what exactly constitutes a friend as opposed to an extraordinarily congenial acquaintance. but they're nice people in any case, in my aspie meetup group.

I think maybe I just need to wean myself away from WP and focus on my special interests and stuff

As Kjas explained so neatly, we each use WP for different reasons and have different expectations. In my case, I'm pretty reclusive so I like to feel I've had some sort of interaction with people. Going on WP feels like being in a safe place, where I can be myself, and I do value that. I don't expect to make friendships, but it absolutely makes my day when people reply to my posts - even just to say hello. And now I'm in tears so I'd best go.