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You are out in public and overhear a conversation


MommyLiberty5013
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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.

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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 by poppy
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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.

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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!!!

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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!

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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 by texasmom33
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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)

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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!! :) 

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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. ☺ï¸

 

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!")

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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? 

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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 by Garga
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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.

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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.

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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/

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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! 

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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.......

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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.

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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.

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