MommyLiberty5013 Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 and it just so happens that the people talking are discussing this Forum or any other one you frequent. Do you pop over and say "hi" or ignore them? Do you think it would be neat to put a face to a screen name? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmandaVT Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I'm not shy. I'd totally say hi! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapbookbuzz Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I would definitely introduce myself! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I wouldn't say anything. I'm odd in that I prefer not to meet my virtual friends in real life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Yeah, I prefer to keep a low profile. :P I think people have a different impression of me online than what they would have if they knew me IRL. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I'd probably say hi. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I wouldn't say anything. I'm odd in that I prefer not to meet my virtual friends in real life. Worlds collide. :lol: I'm not sure if I'd say anything, but I'm sure I'd eavesdrop even more once I heard the name of the forum (this or any other). I might say hello if it seems right. 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 (edited) Well I'd definitely eavesdrop to hear what they had to say!!! (Sorry but it's true). If they seem like they are in a cheery and gregarious mood, I'd probably introduce myself. If it's someone I just happened to overhear because tables at restaurants are TOO CLOSE TOGETHER nowadays, I'd do that "pretend to be deaf" thing we city folks do. Also, if I suspected it was someone I'm actively not a fan of*, I'd keep my trap shut. * people I'm not a fan of = 0.05% of the population here. I genuinely like most of y'all and actively fan-girl some of you. But that % is higher in other forums. Another caveat: Reddit is the exception because it's so huge.. I'd never introduce myself to a reddit person. It's not more something in common than "I get my coffee at Dunkin Donuts"...... if you live in RI or MA, that's most people. Edited June 21, 2017 by poppy 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Probably not unless I was already part of the conversation. I assume MANY people are looking at this board without posting so I wouldn't jump to that we'd be able to identify each other's user easily. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrincessMommy Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 I'd be conflicted and not sure what I'd do. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remudamom Posted June 21, 2017 Share Posted June 21, 2017 Introduce myself and see if they want to go eat Mexican/have Margueritas!!!! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kewb Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 It would depend. I tend to keep my online life separate from real life. I think I was on here for a year before I outed myself to that homeschool dad. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RootAnn Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I live in a small town. Once, at the library, the screen was open to a search for homeschool books. I definitely scoped the library to see who had the book out. So, yes, I'd probably eavesdrop & then introduce myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angie in VA Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Yeah, I prefer to keep a low profile. :p I think people have a different impression of me online than what they would have if they knew me IRL. Worlds collide. :lol: I'm not sure if I'd say anything, but I'm sure I'd eavesdrop even more once I heard the name of the forum (this or any other). I might say hello if it seems right. You are my people!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I'd say hi. I'd probably suggest coffee or drinks, and a chat. Because, heck, we chat here! I'm basically the same person here as I am IRL, and quite a few people here have met me and would attest to that. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paige Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I'd keep my head down. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Hmmm, I'd like to think that I would feel comfortable enough to pop over and introduce myself but in reality I'd probably have a confidence crisis and would just continue to eavesdrop. On the other hand, I would LOVE it if someone came up to me and introduced themselves. I really like everyone here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) I wouldn't say anything. I'm odd in that I prefer not to meet my virtual friends in real life. Except for all of us on Chat though right? I mean, we have to be exceptions. We were going to bring you cupcakes and hang out in Big Ben(edited to add the D. Big BEND, not the clock)!!! :lol: ETA: Plus we all know what you look like so we'd say hi anyway. Unless you wore a wig. That could throw us off. Edited June 22, 2017 by texasmom33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMS83 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I would hide and never shop there again!! :D Faces to screen names would be interesting, I do agree. I just have a touch of social anxiety. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Except for all of us on Chat though right? I mean, we have to be exceptions. We were going to bring you cupcakes and hang out in Big Ben(edited to add the D. Big BEND, not the clock)!!! :lol: ETA: Plus we all know what you look like so we'd say hi anyway. Unless you wore a wig. That could throw us off. See, now I'm going to have to dress in disguise... (lol) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 It depends........... are they wearing a t-shirt about tea & books? That would be a sign that they are open to conversation. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grover Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I'd be tempted to send a cupcake to the table 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mergath Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 It would depend on what they were saying. If they were talking about the forum as if they're regulars here and I might actually "know" them, I might say hi. If the conversation was more like, "I heard of this homeschooling forum that's supposed to be really popular..." I probably wouldn't. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 (edited) I wouldn't say a thing, but would probably come and post about it and think it was really cool. Edited June 22, 2017 by goldberry 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FaithManor Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I doubt I would say anything. I would have no way of knowing if the other person would want to be approached or not. Some people prefer absolute anonymity on internet forums, and I would not be comfortable potentially breaching that. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne in CA Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 See, now I'm going to have to dress in disguise... (lol) Are you kidding??? The next time I'm in Big Bend, I'm coming over, lol. Disguises won't fool me... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melissa in Australia Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I would for sure. There are about a dozen Aussies on the board. I would be excited to meet any of them. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
creekland Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 One of the best things about our local get togethers has been being able to put faces/bodies and real lives behind screen names. I still feel closer to those I've met IRL than the rest of y'all. I read their posts with more understanding (and care). I'd definitely say hi. There are many on here I wish I could meet IRL. :coolgleamA: Of course, if any of y'all are thirty - sixty something year old men without kids living in your family's basement... well, at least I'd know! 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elizabeth86 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 No way. I'm so super shy. No way. I am joining a homeschool group for next school year and I do wonder if any of those moms are members here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 Sure I'd say hi. The worst anyone is going to do is give me a "Who is this rude, interrupting person?" glare and tell me not to eavesdrop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penguin Posted June 22, 2017 Share Posted June 22, 2017 I am pretty sure I would say hello. I'd figure that if Person A is talking about the forum to Person B, then it is unlikely that Person A is that determined to keep her internet life from colliding with her nonvirtual life. On the other hand, I would not say to an IRL person, "Hey are you so-and-so on the WTM forum? Because what you are saying to me sounds familiar." I've had the opportunity to meet two WTM forum members in person, and it was a great experience. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 It depends........... are they wearing a t-shirt about tea & books? That would be a sign that they are open to conversation. I've been tempted to have a book tote made that says something like "tea-brewin' homeschool mom". Carry *that* around to the libraries and bookstores and I will bet I can find the WTM folks smirking at my bag. 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I've been tempted to have a book tote made that says something like "tea-brewin' homeschool mom". Carry *that* around to the libraries and bookstores and I will bet I can find the WTM folks smirking at my bag. If you do, we should make a group order!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I would for sure. There are about a dozen Aussies on the board. I would be excited to meet any of them. Me, too. But mostly because that would mean I was in Australia. â˜ºï¸ But if I were in Australia, there are some WTM Aussies I would want to look up. (Although I think I have heard before that the bunch of you don't live close to one another, so it's a little like me saying, "Come to the USA and meet Kinsa, Quill, Lady Florida and Liz in CA!") 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I probably would say something if it seemed like an opportune time. There are many of you here I would love to meet! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I'd be tempted to send a cupcake to the table This!! It's been a long time since cupcakes were discussed!! In all reality, I would listen for awhile first. I would be really tempted to say hi. But it might depend on if I thought they were open to it. It would be weird. So, I am curious though, did this happen or is it hypothetical? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I totally would. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 It depends. For the record, it's highly unlikely you'd find me talking about the boards in a recognizable way. When talking to my wife, I just say "the forum", and I tend to not bring it up to other people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luuknam Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I have had a couple of situations in which I encountered someone I knew from one email list on another (completely unrelated) email list, or they recognized me from another email list, years later. The latter was weird. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I am pretty sure I would say hello. I'd figure that if Person A is talking about the forum to Person B, then it is unlikely that Person A is that determined to keep her internet life from colliding with her nonvirtual life. On the other hand, I would not say to an IRL person, "Hey are you so-and-so on the WTM forum? Because what you are saying to me sounds familiar." I've had the opportunity to meet two WTM forum members in person, and it was a great experience. I did that with someone I know IRL who is on the boards. Her posts sounded so much like her. And the ages of her kids were the same. I asked her, "Hey are you so-and-so," and she was. :) It depends. For the record, it's highly unlikely you'd find me talking about the boards in a recognizable way. When talking to my wife, I just say "the forum", and I tend to not bring it up to other people. I talk about my invisible friends instead of saying The Well Trained Mind Forum. "My invisible friends were talking about such and such..." I don't think anyone in my family would know how to get to this website. They don't have a clue what the actual name of it is. Edited June 23, 2017 by Garga 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AHASRADA Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I talk about my invisible friends instead of saying The Well Trained Mind Forum. "My invisible friends were talking about such and such..." I don't think anyone in my family would know how to get to this website. They don't have a clue what the actual name of it is. My family wouldn't have a clue either. My son started calling it "Mom Mafia" years ago, and it stuck, so that's what we all call it. I have to remember to call it by it's proper name with other homeschoolers. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MommyLiberty5013 Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 For me, because someone asked, this is hypothetical. It's never happened to me IRL. But I kinda think it would be cool and it might actually happen since it seems like the world is small 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catwoman Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 and it just so happens that the people talking are discussing this Forum or any other one you frequent. Do you pop over and say "hi" or ignore them? Do you think it would be neat to put a face to a screen name? If it really happened and it was someone from this forum, I think you should hint at where you were and see if anyone posts here or PMs you, so you might be able to find out who it was. :) I would have definitely introduced myself because it would be fun to meet someone from this forum. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Yes, assuming their conversation was neutral or positive. I'd give them the traditional TWTM greeting, "So did you guys mummify a chicken?" I think TWTM should have a mummified chicken as its official mascot. Yes, we did mummify the chicken if you're wondering.When SWB was here in PHX at the Great Hearts Language Arts Symposium she invited boardies to along and then bought us drinks and appetizers after. I'm perfectly happy to meet boardies IRL-they're some of the most interesting people I know/ 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
foxbridgeacademy Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Absolutely would talk to them but then again I talk to strangers in public a lot. We do live in the South so my outgoing nature is acceptable. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jann in TX Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I've met up with Ellie a few times-- she is so COOL! I've met a few other posters too. I teach online and while I used to like being anonymous, (maybe it is because I'm getting older)--I've found that I LOVE meeting my families in person. If I take a trip I always look to see if one of my families is 'on the way'... This past year I met up with two families in Dallas and three families in Las Vegas-- so much fun!!! I guess I'm now in the camp that I would 'speak up' -- I live in Texas so there is no problem with speaking to strangers. I live south of Austin, TX-- great little tourist town too! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I've been tempted to have a book tote made that says something like "tea-brewin' homeschool mom". Carry *that* around to the libraries and bookstores and I will bet I can find the WTM folks smirking at my bag. I would definitely say something to you if you had that with you.......... Probably like "do tea and books go together?" Well, I'm probably not that bold. I'd find something to say....... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Worlds collide. :lol: I'm not sure if I'd say anything, but I'm sure I'd eavesdrop even more once I heard the name of the forum (this or any other). I might say hello if it seems right. I'm like George Castanza - I really don't like my worlds to collide. I even try to have separate social media worlds - FB, Instagram, and Twitter all serve a different purpose for me. I'd probably eavesdrop, too. I may or may not say hi. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah CB Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Does anyone remember the WTM buttons we used to have? Those were useful at conferences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KaceeM Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 See I ran into a similar situation on Facebook recently and decided not to introduce myself. I had commented on a mommy page and noticed a user whose profile picture was very familiar. It turns out it was a WTMer (profile pictures are the same and it's a picture of themselves). I thought about introducing myself but it felt awkward and slightly stalkerish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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