Saturday, April 9, 2005

CYBESE 101

Well, I never really thought I had a problem before, but it has recently, and quite frequently, been brought to my attention that my online communication skills are lacking.  Most people are quite nice about it and apologize for the misunderstanding, but there are others who jump all over my words, twist them completely out of context and smear my name all over the place, leaving me dazed and confused by their reactions to my comments.

And why?  Because I don't follow the rules.  I don't add 'lol' at the end of a joke or a comment that should be taken with a pinch of humor.  I write what I think, and the way I think it.  I don't follow up everything I say in person with a laugh, so I'm not going to add an 'lol' to the end of every joke or humorous comment I make online.  I don't type 'fol' or 'sbd' everytime I fart, so why would I type 'lol' everytime I laugh? 

I have been told that a person's online personality is different from their real-life personality.  I'm not talented enough to have multiple personalities.  The way I 'talk' online is exactly how I talk in person.  Yes, I'm a 44 year old woman who says 'dude', and 'agh!' all the time in my daily conversations.  I speak fluent sarcasm.  I think I am honest, but tactful.  If I think my comment or opinion might hurt someone's feeling or offend them I will refrain from making it... unless I WANT to hurt or offend, which really isn't in my nature.  Okay, well, maybe the offend part might be a little in my nature, but I would never deliberately hurt someone.

So what do I do?  How do I improve my cyber-communication skills?  You know what?  I don't think I can, and even if I could, I don't know that I would want to.  That would be like making a major overhaul in my personality.  I'm 44 years old... I'm not like a fine wine, I am NOT going to improve with age.  I'm too tired to even try to impress anyone anymore.  I don't have the energy to be someone that I am not.  I cannot fit the cyber-savvy mold that some feel everyone should conform to for more convenient and uniform www experience.  Folks, this is what and who I am.  I won't apologize or make excuses.  I am what I am, and what I am is what I am!  (love that quote!).  Take me or leave me.   sbd (oops, excuse me!)

GLOSSARY:
   lol:  laugh out loud
   fol:  fart out loud
   sbd:  silent but deadly

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

spraying the lysol!!!!  and I love you just  the way you are!!!
becky

Anonymous said...

Funny thing, but I've never had a problem with the way you write.  Geesh.  Don't let anyone change how you blog!

Anonymous said...

Stay the way you are - I love the laughes you provide...imagine that, I know when to laugh w/o an LOL after it.  Heeee!     For those that don't appreciate the journal....uh....last I heard, no one FORCED us to read it.   :-)     I like you  just the way you are (OMG....I sound like Mr. Rogers!!)

Anonymous said...

I didn't know you spoke fluent sarcasm too!!!! My motto......you can't please everybody every day and today is not your day....and tomorrows isn't looking any better for you! I swear somedays I think you and me were seperated at birth! We are best when we are just being oursselves.....I like Dorn just the way she is! Ü

Anonymous said...

I like you just the way you are . Besides who said something about the way you talk, tell me and I'll go tatoo LOL on their forhead . Stay just the way you are. I know I enjoy your writtings.
Have a great weekend.
Hugs, R.C.

Anonymous said...

I think those of us who speak fluent sarcasm enjoy your journal just the way it is.  Maybe it's a case of "It takes one to know one," but I have never found your words to be offensive.  I don't think one should ever apologize for WHO THEY ARE.  Have a great day
~~Kath~~

Anonymous said...

what does sbd stand for?

Regardless, you've always impressed me.  So phooey on anyone who left less than mesmerized by your witty sparkly personality :-)

~ www.jerseygirljournal.com

Anonymous said...

Well you should know by now that you can't please everyone.
The great thing about journals, if you don't like what they say, don't visit them.  By the way , what does 'fol' and 'sbd' mean?
I wouldn't worry about them.          Dawn

Anonymous said...

You cant improve perfection!

Anonymous said...

Well they can bite your butt..i have experince the same thing and got attack..
some people are so pffttt!!!
donna in texas

Anonymous said...

Only you could fit SBD into your journal.  LOL
Don't worry about the critics.  They will always be there, looking for something to pick at.
Pinky
http://journals.aol.com/JsDirtwtch/SmartestMonkey

Anonymous said...

Hey, they can all take a long walk off a short pier... I like you JUST the way you are, thank you very much! Dont you dare change a thing about your Journal!
http://journals.aol.com/astaryth/AdventuresofanEclecticMind

Anonymous said...

Liek OMG!!1 ur so funny LOL!!!!!oneone
-Paul
http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/

Anonymous said...

It is a wonderful day in the neighborhood...ummmmmmm what is that smell? O gee you mean to say we all have to speak cyber all the time when online? phooey. Cyber languagae is just like certain gestures. You can say one thing in one room and it mean something else in another room. Example ... if I was to flip you my middle finger, here in the south it is an insult but in another part of the world it is their pointing finger.

Anonymous said...

LOL!

Anonymous said...

Hey.
I, for one know kinda how you feel.. While I may 'lol' once in a while, I don't do it in my journal.. Only in conversations.. So my funnys in the journal are sometimes taken as.. " that girl is weird" which is true.. Anyways..
I just want to say that I love your journal, and if someone has a problem with how you talk online, then thats their problem...its online, not like in person, if they dont want to 'hear' it, its just a  red X click away from being gone...really. l
take care!!!

~jackie~
http://journals.aol.com/jackiebenice/blah/

Anonymous said...

Who are these people ragging on you and where may I find them so I can poke them incessantly with a stick (I'm not very good at beating people up, but I can IRRITATE quite well.) Keep doing what you do, I'd want it no other way!
http://journals.aol.com/bigred3392/TracysAwesomeJournalofAwesomenes

Anonymous said...

I like you the way you are.  I can imagine you offline as you are online -- a great person.

Anonymous said...

((((Dorn)))) I LOVE you.  Either way, I know that you are 100% real! Thank you for being that way! I agree 100% with you!
Lots of hugs, and even kisses too ;)
Heather

Anonymous said...

I have a nice little moto for life......F%&@ if they can't take a joke!  You can use it if you need it sweetie!  You know what, seriously forget the jerks that don't like you as you are because you have so many faceless friends out here in www land that love you just as you are, farting and all!!!!!

Love ya!
Kell

Anonymous said...

I adore you. You are perfect the way you are.