Sad Cilli Willi

I am curious as to whether or not people see such interactions as serious in a general sort of way. We all use the web to meet people, and chat back and forth. I have found quite a few people I very much like in this way, But:

1) is it easier to "get serious" due to the lack of facial expression?

2) is it just an easy Ego Boost?

3) what does this flirtation do for you

Cynthetiq

normally we like people to post answers to their own post to spur the discussion.

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xepherys

1) I think it's harder to get serious. But also, it's harder to know people's intentions. Both facial expressions and body language, as well as volume and tone of speech are a big part of human communication and something you cannot convey (even with a webcam and mic, really) over the 'net.

2) Yeah, more or less.

3) Flirting is just kinda fun. I'm a flirtatious guy by nature. I don't really mean anything by it. Luckily for me, my wife understands it's part of my nature and doesn't freak out over it. Being involved also means tempering it a bit. It doesn't mean you can't share a smile or some sly comment with someone, it does however mean that you need to take your SO's feelings into account. Of course if your single, who cares?

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Jetée

All of the above?

It is a dichotomous issue indeed.

Sure it could be easy, but it may also be hard.
The best way to know is from first-hand experience.
How do you feel when you are involved in some 'cyber-flirting'?

All I can say right now is:

Hiiiiiiiiiii!<(0.0)>

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ItWasMe

1) I think any type of online communication is easier because you can a) take your time to think about your response, b) get on with your life and come back to it later when you aren't feeling rushed.

2) Ego boost, no.

3) If I don't know the person (online or off), it often makes me wonder what the hell they want. Since they aren't being straight forward about it.

Cynthetiq: I have to ask...where is the rest of that poor kitty??

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Miss Mango

I love to flirt.

It's just a lot of fun and have made great friends this way.

It's not an ego boost to me by any means, but keeps up my skills, lol.

noodlebee

No. I think it has not much to do with lack of facial expression. Yes, you can know a person more quickly in real life by looking at body language and facial expression. But for online, people have more confidence to say things that they can be embarrassed to say outside. Hard to say what is easier or difficult.

Maybe for some people. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable that people online like to flirt too much. My normal life does not have a lot of flirtatious friends.

Maybe experience? Hahaha.... I do not flirt too much or say too much innuendo, so maybe it is a good way to accustom.

Bear Cub

1) I think its easier to get serious IN PERSON. Just how serious can I get when I have no clue what the girl on the other end of the keyboard (or her 15 year old brother and two of his friends laughing hysterically) are actually thinking? However, the half laugh/half smile a girl can give you, accompanied by that "lets go back to my place" stare from the corner of her eyes, well, that's umistakable.

2) Not for me. Internet photos/personas are VERY misleading. I'll take an intimate conversation with another woman, a whisper in the ear, or someone buying me a drink as a much bigger ego boost.

3) Online, nothing. In real life, also nothing, because I'm happily involved in a relationship, and any flirting I do is whole-heartedly harmless or in good fun.

blktour

what if you meet someone like through a work email and just start talking through email then it switches to msn, and you request pictures to see if there is something there, but you live in the same town? like you know its not a boy or a little girl. but my intentions are to be friends.
(my situation now. and i have a gf.. i might get in trouble huh?)

Philangicality

Mostly it is theraputic. Flirting with somebody on the internet could mean trouble in my opinion.

Plan9

Therapy.

Talk dirty to me here ('net) because I don't get it there (real life).

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