Do you temper your replies based on whether or not it might hurt someone's feelings? Or do you just say it as it is and not care if you offend? And further to that, are you more inclined to say things without censoring emotionally simply because you can't see the person and they can't see you?

The main reason I'm curious is because most of my working life has been as a customer service rep in call centres. You really find out what human beings are like in their own worlds when you work in one because people suddenly think that because they can't see you and you can't see them that they can speak to you however they like. And it seems that the internet has the same aspects to it. It's simply as if some people just don't care whether or not they hurt feelings because they can't be held accountable for it.

For example, a different forum that I'm on at the moment has someone that's being a fair bit of a prima dona. He has had a situation occur and has responded to it in a manner that I (and most others on the forum) think is simply childish. He caused the situation himself and refuses to rectify it because "that's who he is".
 I felt like saying to him "You know what? When you thrust things upon people they will respond. Whether you like the response or not. So how about you don't throw it in their face and see how THAT works for you". But instead I responded with a tempered version because I didn't want to hurt his feelings. However someone said exactly what I was thinking in more aggressive tones and I literally cringed. My automatic response was to reply with a diplomatic comment and hopefully smooth everyone's feathers even though he'd said EXACTLY what I'd been thinking!

I don't like upsetting people and will avoid it at all costs regardless of whether they are a voice on the phone or pixels on a screen. I guess I was just wondering why some people think it's ok to be absolute a$$hats just because they aren't face to face with you? Maybe I'm just one of those people that wants to be everyone's friend... But I'd prefer that to being everyone's enemy!

 
Original Goal Weight 75kg... Still going down

I think a lot of people don't realise that when on line, you are dealing with the written word - you can't hear the tone of the voice writing it or the look on someones face when they write something down, so all you have to go on is what is written in front of you.

When you do get someone like me who is to the point, it does come across as a bit blunt sometimes and I have offended in the past, but never intentionally (and those that know me on here know that - those that don't will get to know me or ignore me)...

I do have an issue with people who are deliberately rude and I am also very happy to tell them so.

I find I tend to speak on forums the same as I speak in real life. I am a no nonsense type of person so I guess that makes sense.

I find it funny when you talk to someone online and then meet them and they are totally different in real life. I don't see the point of having multiple personalities (depending on who you are dealing with) - too much work...

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Ultimate Goal

I say what I mean, and mean what I say - not always the most pc person in the world, but I do try not to hurt peoples feelings intentionally and I say what I say with good intent attached.

I believe I'm pretty much the same on or offline - I don't wear different hats and find overly pc (lots of hats) people a little annoying as although they agree with everything and everyone, I don't really know who they are on the inside to build any kind of rapport.

Mini Goal - 130kg end of May

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GOAL 95kg (size 16/18)
- a healthier, happier painfree sandradeee

Overall Weightloss Ticker 

  
Whatever Works - journey in pictures can be found here

And I've worked in customer service too, so yes, I also know that sometimes people think they can talk to the person on the other end in a totally appalling manner. Not acceptable!

Restarted 15th March 2010: 33.7Kg to go

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First mini goal: To lose 3.7Kg by 30th April.

26th April 3.7 total loss. 1st mini-goal ACHIEVED.

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2nd mini-goal to lose 5Kg by 15th June.

3rd May 0.1Kg loss. 4.9Kg to go.

17th May 0.5Kg loss. 0.6Kg gone. 4.4Kg to go.

24th May 0.4Kg loss. 1Kg gone. 4Kg to go.

31st May 1Kg loss. 2Kg gone. 3Kg to go.

6th June 0.2Kg loss. 2.2Kg gone. 2.8Kg to go.

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BAD BACK CHALLENGE:  8.7Kg by 15th June

24th May 4.7Kg gone. 4Kg to go. PASSED THE HALF WAY MARK!

eflow*take3this time its coming off and STAYING off!

[url=http://www.TickerFactory.com/weight-loss/wSJILhO/]

17/07/09 STARTING WEIGHT 99.1kg

week	date	weight	loss	total	week	date	weight	loss	total
Wk1	24/07/09	97.8kg	-1.3kg	-1.3kg	Wk18	20/11/09
Wk2	31/07/09	97.0kg	-800g	-2.1kg	Wk19	27/11/09	90kg
Wk3	07/08/09	95.9kg	-1.1kg	-3.2kg	Wk20	04/12/09
Wk4	14/08/09	95.0kg	-900g	-4.1kg	Wk21	11/12/09
Wk5	21/08/09	96.5kg	+1.5kg	-2.6kg	Wk22	18/12/09
Wk6	28/08/09	95.8kg	-700g	-3.3kg	Wk23	25/12/09
Wk7	04/09/09	94.8kg	-1kg	-4.3kg	Wk24	01/01/10	85kg
Wk8	11/09/09	93.9kg	-900g	-5.2kg	Wk25	08/01/10
Wk9	18/09/09	92.9kg	-1kg	-6.2kg	Wk26	15/01/10
Wk10	25/09/09	92.4kg	-500g	-6.7kg	Wk27	22/01/10
Wk11	02/10/09	93.5kg	+1.1kg	-5.6kg	Wk28	29/01/10
Wk12	09/10/09	92.4kg	-1.1kg	-6.7kg	Wk29	05/02/10	80kg
Wk13	16/10/09	90.9kg	-1.5kg	-8.2kg	Wk30	12/02/10
Wk14	23/10/09	DNW	DNW	DNW	Wk31	19/02/10
Wk15	30/10/09	93.3kg	+2.4kg	-5.8kg	Wk32	26/02/10
Wk16	06/11/09	92.9kg	-400g	-6.4kg	Wk33	05/03/10
Wk17	13/11/09	91.5kg	-1.4kg	-7.8kg	Wk34	12/03/10	75kg

  

before and during pics: http://forum.tonyferguson.com/Topic511727-17-1.aspx