Do you admit to being a Forum Member ?

[trouts mom]

Originally Posted by icklemiss21

I would much rather meet a freak than a psycho!

Awwww, thanks Eithne

 

[MoochNNoodles]

Originally Posted by Bella713

Anyone who is important enough to me, knows about TCS and respects it greatly. I have met some wonderful people on here that I consider my friends

Originally Posted by lisasha3

I had to admit I don't talk about it that much either because I open up about a lot of things here and don't want folks in my "real" life coming and lookin at all the stuff I'm saying. I guess this is my "secret" life.

Same for me! Sometimes ya'll are the best therapists ever!

I don't feel like I 'hide' any of the real me on here, any differently than friends. But everyone here is so much less judgemental than even well intentioned friends can be. I'm cautious about what I share (like editing out DH's name from his pics in uniform) but I'm not afraid to be the goof I am in real life either.

And like what Hope's story in this thread, I feel connected to everyone on here. When other member's babies cross the RB, I hurt too. When other's have new furbabies come to them, I'm happy with them.

 

[trouts mom]

Me too, I talk to you guys about all the "real life" people that peeve me off..LOL, so I don't really tell alot of people which site I go on

 

[reddicequeen]

Its natural to *network* people do it every day. Some more than others. You tell your friends what is the best garage for repairs, the best pediatrician...the new restaurant in town...its only natural to share this site with other cat owners. I learned so much from this site. I dont personally know everyone...but I can figure out who has the best advice...who likes to share it...and everyone is friends to me when i ask a question.
When I got my dogs I carefully researched the breeds , asked questions and found the best match for our family, *well except for the rescue Old English* who adopted us.
I did the same with getting a cat. After I got my cat there were many questions I had concerning feeding, behavior and on and on. One can only call the breeder so many times *chuckling* I even found a perfect food for my cat with the sensitive stomach from this site. *thanks again Sharky*
So, if I ever hear anyone with a cat having problems I always refer them to this site...

 

[yayi]

The only difference I see are the regulations on what one can post in forums, which is cool. There's time to think before saying anything. IRL one's slip of the tongue can't be edited resulting to lost friends and regrets. Forums greatly reduce such situations.
So on this perspective, forum friends may not be considered quite "real".

 

[menagerie mama]

Yes, I admit it and people do look at me weird. But sometimes my mom will say "Hey, can you ask that cat site about this or that....and I do and you guys always give an answer, so she likes you guys...lol
And I did meet Leah this weekend which was a blast and I love her to death! And have a few friends from here on my myspace who I talk to also, so I don't think it's weird at all!

 

[katiemae1277]

oh yeah, I tell lots of folks about this site, I'll say stuff like we talked about ___ on the cate site and blah blah blah. Of course people already know me as the crazy cat lady, so nothing I do surprises them. And as far as friends on here just being "internet" friends and you don't really know what they're like in IRL, people that you DO know in real life can also be hiding who they really are

 

[catkiki]

I am forever telling people about this site. Altho they look at me strangely at times. LOL

I have met a few of my online friends. Some of my othere friends thought I was crazy to do that!

 

[jane_vernon]

I tell people I'm on Cat and Rat forums!

I'm even a moderator on one of my forums!

I don't care what anyone thinks! I love these forums and will keep coming to them regardless!

 

[ilovesiamese]

I definately share TCS with other people and I also moderate on a weightloss site so I'm always sharing with my friends and family. I've learn invaluable information for the wonderful people of this site and without your guys' help, I don't know where my kitties would be!

If I get a few odd looks or comments, I let them roll and just explain that these people are my friends and I'm really greatful for these forums because without them I would have missed out on some really great people.

I'm always showing my Dh and DS pics of everyone's pets and I love just reading everyones stories.

 

[miagi's_mommy]

yup, I do and my parents and friends know I am on messageboards online and they could care less.

I always talk to my mom about it.

 

[stormy]

I don't understand people's concepts of "real life"? Just because you can't see the person you are talking to doesn't mean they are not real people.

We are all here in "real" time, sharing "real" thoughts and problems, I say that makes us real.....unless, you're all just figments of my imagination!

 

[valanhb]

You bet I tell people about TCS! Of course, I'm also known as the cat lady and people ask me for advice about their cats. If it's something I haven't heard about I tell them that I'll ask about it here, and they know that they are getting advice from the experts.

I know for sure that I couldn't have the network of feline experts at hand IRL that are members here. Not to mention, you can ask about just about anything and someone here will know the answer!

Let's be honest, too. Everyone is busy and in this day and age we're all getting busier and busier just to make ends meet. I have very little time to spend with my friends IRL, or they have moved or I have moved, etc. The internet lets us stay in touch, and meet people we wouldn't have otherwise. Seriously - I LOVE being able to say that I have friends around the world, and know that I really DO.

I've also had the opportunity to meet quite a few TCSers. In every instance, it was like getting together with an old friend, not meeting someone new. Everyone I've met and talked to on the phone has been 100% genuine, and exactly the same way they are in their posts.

Luckily, my husband has been talking to people and making friends online for longer than I have, so he completely understands. He talkes about his forum(s) the same way I talk about TCS.

 

[rapunzel47]

I choose my audience. Some people "get it" and some don't, as has been observed several times here. I try to tailor my comments to the comfort level of the person I'm talking to. I wear my TCS duds, and am more than happy to answer whatever questions they provoke -- and they have.

 

[sillyjilly]

Well, my DH, and neighbors all know and don't care about it... but some other people are really wierd about it... Technically I have met 2 people from here so... it counts right?

 

[natalie_ca]

Some people have such narrow minds that they can't grasp the 21st Century way of communicating.

People are people. Who cares how you communicate with one another.

I "know" 3 people online that I've never met in person. However we've talked on the phone. We know each others' addresses. We've sent each other gifts. Richard was so worried about me when I emailed him that I was going to the hospital a couple years ago. He called around to all of the hospitals in my city to check on me. To this day I have never met him in person but I consider him a very dear friend.

I wouldn't worry about what she said to you. She's narrow minded. If she only considers people that she can physically reach out and touch to be "friends", then I feel very sorry for her.

 

[white cat lover]

I don't admit to being a forum member for the same reason. People here are shallow & narrow minded & when I mentioned to one person( a cat "lover") that I was a member of TCS & she should join, she replied with a very rude comment & told me you guys aren't real, just a bunch on noexistent pervs trying to "get some".

So....I'll just keep you guys to myself!

 

[emily_325]

Originally Posted by white cat lover

I don't admit to being a forum member for the same reason. People here are shallow & narrow minded & when I mentioned to one person( a cat "lover") that I was a member of TCS & she should join, she replied with a very rude comment & told me you guys aren't real, just a bunch on noexistent pervs trying to "get some".

So....I'll just keep you guys to myself!

I recommended it to a "cat lover" once too. She never went to the site and told me she wasn't an internet person. And then she started talking about people stealing identities and not wanting to put her info out there... Whatever.

 

[dragoriana]

I've told mum and dad about it if i've needed advice about the babies and told them what you guys have said, especially when we got Cleo. I am always talking about it to Tristan and he's come on here a couple of times to look at the cute pics.

 

[fwan]

I have met over 100 people off the internet, some of them have been good experiences and mostly its all been positive!

I dont think id have as many friends with out the internet!