If I met you in person would you be who you are on your blog?

I was blog surfing the other day and came across someone who was explaining they were really the person you read about in their blog.  In other words, she was who she said she was.

If I met you in person would you be who you are on your blog?  Was 'sort of' the question she asked.

I sat there for a bit and had to think on that one.  I really had to think.  I've been told my entire life I have that 'look' about me.  I can be intimidating and I swear to god I don't mean to be.  It's just the facial genes I've been dealt with I think. I am also pretty quiet which I know a lot of people don't like.  I would much rather sit and listen to a conversation than talk in one.  If there are two or three other people I am fine, but more than that and I am definitely the listener of the group.

I don't think you really see that side of me on my blog.  You probably see a yakky kind of person, which is far from the truth.

People who know me in person, have learned more about me in these last 6 months of my blogging than in all the years they've known me.  Well, that's what they tell me anyway.  Apparently I'm a real vault when it comes to....me.

My husband has commented on this subject numerous times throughout our marriage "You let people in only so far Joy, and then you back right off" and he's right.  If I feel people are getting too 'close', I tend to make excuses not to see them again.  I have what I call acquaintance friends in my life...but no real friend friends.  Absolutely no one I have ever trusted enough to 'let' in and get close.

I know.  Therapy is probably needed here.

So, back to the question.  If you met me in person would I be the same as I am on my blog?  I really think a lot of people would have trouble answering this question.  But I'm going to say...maybe?

I'd be nice and friendly and hopefully we'd get along great, but would you ever know the 'real' me?  Never.  But that's ok....because no one does.

Comments

[Debbie]

If you're generally a quiet person, how could you be fully yourself on the blog? It'd be a pretty boring read if you were!

I am pretty much myself on my blog. My insecurities do shine through, unfortunately. I've never had much of a poker face. Even when I think I'm hiding it, people seem to know what I'm thinking or feeling. It seems to be the same with my blog. I could write, what I think is, a positive post, but people will comment on the one thing I said that was kinda negative. Now, the reason I say "pretty much myself on my blog" is that I don't pour out EVERY problem that I have. I am always honest, but, because I haven't hidden my identity, I want to respect the people who read it. So, no. I'm not going to bitch about my mom. Or gossip about my friend. Or tell everyone about my marriage. I did start a "secret" blog, but have only written one post. I find I'm writing more in my actual journal than I have before, and I'm loving that.

[Blublood]

I seem to feel from what little I know about you that this is a bit off. I think you would be honest and straight forward and that is all that one can really hope for.

I am myself all the time, on my blog and off. I wouldn't even think about trying to be someone else, even on the blog because that is more effort than it is worth. Although opinions may vary...You have thrown all sorts of questions up, hmmmm?

Take it easy Joy and just keep on keepin' on...

Later...

[Happy and Blue 2]

Your personality sounds a lot like mine. I am just the same in person as on my blog. Unless someone tries to get to know me. Then I back off.
Actually I do that on my blog too. So I guess I'm the same everywhere, ha,ha..

[Sirdar]

I think I am who I am on my blog. I say things that are happening in my life, how I feel at the moment, what I am thinking....funny or not. I don't lie about anything nor do I try to exaggerate anything. I'm just me. I guess Debbie would be the only person who would be able to judge me on that. Although, we rarely see each other in person. I've got to know her and her family better because of her blog. So yes I can see how someone would get to know someone better by reading their blog.

I think blogs give people a voice to express who they really want to be and not always the way others see them.

When we have our first BA meeting...I guess the answer to your question will be answered then. Looking forward to it.

[Bill Emener]

I always have prided myself in being consistent and authentic in all walks of my life. Some people have told me that on my blog I sound like a fun, witty and interesting person but adding that I clearly sound like a psychologist. Interestingly, people also have told me that I'm that way in person as well. Good news is that I suspect I'm consistent and authentic. However, I don't know about the part about sounding like a psychologist "in person." I mean... it's mot like I'm a professor of French and someone could say, "Say something in French," or a professor of Spanish ("Say something in Spanish"). Yes, I was a practicing psychologist for 33 years, but no one has ever said to me, "Say something in psychology."
I better quite this Comment... someone will it's sounding Freudian.
Bill

[Bella]

I could have written this post word for word. I think I am exactly the person one 'gets' from my blog, except I'm much quieter in person. I too am the listener rather than the talker. Other than that, I'm pretty much the same as you read. Though my true name is different...that's a given. ;)

[Heather]

I'm pretty much myself on my blog...I don't reveal too much personal, griping, bitching stuff because it'd hurt some of the people that know me in real life and read my blog....

[Emily]

Wanna know my impression of you from your blog? You seem very crafty (in the creative sort of way, not the sneaky sort of way), great sense of humor and like you have a big heart. I can't really tell about the quiet part....

[andrudeness]

Hmmm, this is a good thinking post!

I am "me" on my blog and I have enjoyed sharing stories of my life. They are all honest and true... I know that I am guarded though. I am in life too. I thought when I started blogging that I would be able to get alot more out. But I cant. Cause I am normally guarded in real life. Guarded... lets be honest here... I am a paranoid person!

[Joy T.]

Great comments from everyone. I'd love to throw it out there in blog land and see what other people had to say. It's been interesting and I guess you can't 'really' know a person through their blog but maybe certain traits shine through that make you think they are some pretty good people.

I read some blogs and I think "Nope I never want to meet that person because I know we'd never get along." and I move on. Others I think I'd get along pretty good with and constantly go back to their blogs. Well ok, I keep sneaking back to one blog I can't stand but I don't know what the pull is there that keeps bringing me back.