IRL vs Online Friends

[Farah]

I was talking to one of my friends today about this topic and thought it would be interesting to have you all weigh in. In today's world of social networks (like Facebook and Myspace), message boards (like MH), and other internet outlets are the relationships you build online the same or different than the ones you build in "real" life? Do you categorize the two separately? Do you value them differently? Is there ever a time that an "online friend" can become an IRL friend? What does it take to get there?

So many questions!!

Finally, what does it mean to be a friend? Is meeting a person face to face at first change their ranking of importance?

[Ashley]

I don't know that I really approach any situation differently. I am cautious, and I like to feel other people out, whether irl or online. However, there are times I "meet" people, irl or online, that I feel connected to or know that I don't want to be friends with. Farah is a good example of an online person I connected with and knew would be a good friend. My best friend, who I've been friends with for over 13 years and 4 states, lol, irl was the same way. There have been people I've met, like at playgroups and such, where I knew that a real friendship just wasn't going to happen.

At the end of the day, you have to feel a connection with a person, be able to talk to a person, and be able to trust a person. I think that sums up friendship pretty well.

[InlovewithShane]

I totally agree with Ashley...Not just because she moved close to me and I think we should hang out :lol: My neighbor for example, I thought maybe we would become friends because we are the same age 26, and so are our husbands but it turns out that she drives me crazy. I get along with her ok but we really don't hang out. We have different values and she and her husband are immature. But I met a friend online 4 years ago playing an online video game and we still talk to this day. He came to visit from Ohio back in October with his wife who is now pregnant btw after trying for over a year. I don't think it matters where you find a friend as long as you feel you can trust them.

[Cindy]

I value every friendship of mine very much. Whether it's in person or online. I know a lot of women that I just know online, I've known one for 5 or 6 years and she means a lot to me. For me it's easier to get lost online and find friendship rather then in person because I am shy. At the end of the day both relationships, online and in person are just as important to me.

[AAMOMMY]

:P2 Are you turning our conversations into debates LMAO?

I don't view them differently. Some of my "online" friends I talk to more than my friends that are not online.

[AshleyMommyto2]

Hmm.... I value you them the same. And really my IRL friends I talk to more online than in person!! Life is just to busy sometime...

[Jojo]

I never thought I'd connect to anyone online (besides my husband) in terms of friendship but I do! I actually connect with more people online then I do IRL. I support all of my friends equally.

Being a friend means being there for that person through thick and thin. If they need a hand you lend one. You get what you give.