It’s Wednesday so that means it’s question time. It’s time to ponder and then answer just one question. Okay, you can add all you want as a reason for your answer too. We’d all like that.
So here’s this weeks question: Do you enjoy ‘virtual relationships?’
Big time. I’ve met so many people while blogging and some of them literally. It’s a great place to make friends, but it’s also a place to run into toxic people. I’ve met many of those too and it sometimes takes a bit to see the real person.
The other thing I’ve noticed is people come and go. There are friends that I’ve had from the beginning of blogging and still have in my life to this day, but many just disappeared. Wish I knew where because I’d hook back up with them if I could.
When I was blogging during the MySpace era, there were TONS of toxic people. It attracted that sort. I haven't seen that out here…but I do see it on Facebook. There's a difference between expressing your opinion and attacking others to get attention. I usually see the latter for what it's worth and pretend those people don't exist.
I'm not a big fan of Facebook either, but I've a few buddies that Facebook is a necessity. I remember MySpace. 🙂
Obviously, I agree with you. I've met some wonderful friends.. including you and Zane!
And Graystone, of course.
One thing I really love about virtual connections vs. face-t0-face connections; It's just SO much easier to throw the UNfriend switch, isn't it?. *poof* they no longer exist in my reality. (insert evil laughter here) bahahahahahaha!
Have a lovely day, Sandee! sending more big virtual hugs… until the next face-to-face meeting! xoxo
I've thrown that switch a time or ten. Some folks just don't fit into my circle and when they don't they are gone. Yes indeed.
We are just as happy meeting you Barb. Yes we are. 🙂
Oh… btw, I just noticed Tasmania in your traffic feed thingy… I hope it's not the Tasmanian Devil!
y-)
That's Tony McGurk that lives there. He's a good guy. 🙂
I absolutely enjoy the virtual relationships I've made through blogging. It's the best part!
It is indeed Karen. Scritches to the babies. 🙂
When I started blogging, I had no idea I would actually become friends with people online. It has been the most wonderful surprise.
I didn't either and then my first friend was Empress Bee. She's still a dear friend that I actually got to meet. We went on a weeks long cruise together. 🙂
Yes, I do enjoy `virtual relationships`.
I meet people I would have never met, many of them helpful.
I have been able to reconnect with relatives.
I have also been able to `visit` places I would not be able to physically visit, through pictures!
Done right virtual relationships rock. They sure do in my world. 🙂
I too do so enjoy virtual relationships. That is one of the best things about blogging is making so many friends all over the world. I have made some really good friends along the way and Sandee, you sure are one of my good friends. Anyway, this blogging deal is a good one.
You're one of my good friends too Marg. I've enjoyed visiting you for a very long time. 🙂
Yes I do, because I think we all are part of a wonderful blogging community and family 🙂 we all develop bonds through our writing.
We sure do. I've met so many wonderful people. 🙂
Believe it or not, I really look forward each day to read about my two friends, you & Bee.I wish I had more people to comment on my blog but many do read my blog, they just don't comment on it. Some of your people like stevebethere & marcia have commented to me so see, good people do enter my world so thank Sandee. Without Bee I might not have lost 54 pounds so " Do you enjoy ‘virtual relationships"
You better be believe it.
Have a wonderful Wednesday Sandee and say hi to Zane for me. See ya.
Cruisin Paul
You're a good friend Paul. Just keep blogging and visiting and commenting on other blogs. The comments will eventually come. 🙂
Of course! Blogging has brought real friends and virtual friends into my life and I like that. I have learned a lot, visited virtual places, and hope to put flesh on some of the virtual friends some day. So glad you and Zane are part of my real world. Blessed.
Big hugs, honey…
It was a great pleasure to visit with you all week long on that fabulous cruise we all took. It will be remembered always. 🙂
Yes.
Yes! 🙂
I have quite a few really wonderful virtual friendships, mostly through blogging. It is easier that way to get to know someone better and it can be much more genuine when you know a little more about them than just a screen name.
Looks like we are all enjoying our virtual relationships. 🙂
I do enjoy virtual friends I've met through blogging. In part I think that's because we get to know them from the inside out rather than from the outside in.
Very well put Jean. 🙂
I have met lots of nice people on blogger- some come and go and others stay- like you for example! ~:-) ….I started blogging so friends and family could see what we were up to without my sending big files of photos that annoy and clog up their PC's.
Facebook is different and I don't spend too much time there- too political and sometimes I observe people saying things they would never say to a persons face and that's unpleasant. I am pretty choosy who I will communicate with. As for other social media such as twitter …I don't use those as I try to limit my internet time. A person can get lost in "cyber space" .
Good question- have a great day and scritches to Little Bit!
You're a good friend too Kathe. I'm not much for Twitter or Facebook, but do enjoy the blogging. Someday we're going to meet in person. We're not that far away from each other. 🙂
I do like my cyber friends. I look forward to visiting them almost daily, like right now. 🙂
Awww, thanks Rose. You're a special blogging buddy too. 🙂
Virtual relationship is a peculiar experience andIhave started liking those people whom I have never met.
We are all the same no matter where we are from. Yes we are. 🙂
Since the mid '90s and BBS.
Many of those virtual relationships have become literal relationships.
I can guess who some of them are too Skip. 🙂
I absolutely do – like you, Sandee! You were the 1st virtual friend I made when I started blogging. And bless you! You've stuck with faithfully through thick and thin! You, by your example, showed me how wonderful virtual friends can be – how supportive and caring – and I shared your example as I got more experienced in the blogging world. As a result, I've made several more wonderful friends. Thank you, Sandee! I truly appreciate you and your friendship! 🙂
I was your first. We've hung in there together too. I always enjoy your posts. You write so very well and spend a great deal of time with our posts. It shows too. 🙂
Good post Sandee 🙂
I made many wonderful friends when I began blogging. Blogging is fun and friends are cool 🙂
You're one of my newest blogging friends. 🙂
This is such a good question. I've been blogging since October 2004 and I've run across many amazing people in the virtual world. It's funny how you can feel as though you know someone after communicating with them for years, yet they can drop out without so much as a howdee doo. I have found some of these cases a bit hurtful.
To be fair, I have known many virtual souls who have been kind enough to announce their departure from the blogosphere, whether by public post or via private email. I think it's just good etiquette.
It's a nice part of my day when I check the comments on my blog (if any). I love seeing new people, and I look forward to what my blog buddies have to say about whatever. I have found it to be an enjoyable adventure despite a few bad examples.
I've found them a bit hurtful too. Some I was really close too and one day they were just gone. You're right though, some were nice enough to let you know they are moving on. 🙂
I am blessed to have many "virtual" relationships and many of those have become dear friends. Often dearer than some who are in close proximity. My main "virtual" relationship who I met in 2000….became my husband in 2006 🙂
How wonderful. I didn't know that until today. Excellent. 🙂
Lots of virtual friends, and every year i travel to meet a bunch of them in real life. It's amazing the power the internet has had to connect me to people all over!
As to those who disappear, if they choose to do so, i wish them well, although it would be nice to understand.
Yep, it's so fun meeting folks for real. I've met so many from not only the U.S. but other countries too.
I too would love to know what happened to those folks that disappeared. Some I miss something awful. 🙂
As being one of your more toxic relationships … I love you too.
Actually, I have met some vary nice people on the internet. I must say my closest friends all came from the internet. There's some great people out there, and an awful lot right here at this blog.
c-) c-) c-) c-) c-) c-)
You are not toxic Odie. No way and I love you too.
Yes, I've far more friends online than I every imagined I'd have. We do tend to travel in the same circles don't we. 🙂
Oh yes, I do like virtual relationships. Even thought I've never met any of my virtual friends I'm sure that if we were to meet it would be as if we had known each other forever. There's also lots that have just disappeared and I've often wonder what happened to them. I hope it's just a matter of they lost the desire to blog and not something more serious. I told my daughter that if anything ever happens to me she better let my blog friends know 🙂
That's a great idea. Or we could also let other blogging buddies know what's up. I'm sure glad I met you and Duke and now Gibbs. 🙂
I like my virtual friends fortunately I haven't come across many toxic ones
I have no idea why but I always show up on the live feed that I'm visiting from Belfast it's miles from London how strange LOL
Have a virtualtastic day Sandee (said in a Northern Irish accent) :-h
I think the blogging world rocks too Steve. I've not met many toxic folks either, but a few.
I sent you a link on how to change your location on Feedjit. 🙂
Thanks for the link Sandee I changed it successfully nice to have my cockney accent back haha! :-h
Good for you Steve. You live in London, not in Belfast. 🙂
In earlier times, it was pen pals but nowadays you have blog friends, facebook friends or twitter friends 🙂
I remember pen pals. Long ago. I'm not into Twitter and Facebook much, but I do love blogging. 🙂
I am very happy that some of the people I met blogging I continue to count as good friends today, and that surely includes you, Sandee!
The heyday of blogging is behind us, thanks to Facebook. But I am grateful for the community that remains, an important part of my life! 🙂
It was great meeting you and Princess Gail too. Yes indeed.
I'm just not really into Facebook. Just don't care for that platform. 🙂
I enjoy pretty much all my virtual relationships! There have been some that I've changed opinions on but for the most part, everyone has been wonderful and friendly. I've met a few in person and will even get to meet Summer from Sparklecat.com this weekend! I met her human last May at BlogPaws. One day I'd love to meet you! 🙂
Hope you have a great evening! Scritches to Little Bit!
One day you just might. I've a buddy that lives in Oregon. You just never know. 🙂
For us oldies, the online thing may be fairly new, but it's a great way to meet and get to know a wide range of people from all over the world.
I hate it too, when some people just disappear and you never know what happened to them.
There are so many great folks that blog. I do hate it when someone you like just disappears too. 🙂
I call them my friends and I hope they feel the same way not only blogging but face book and pogo I have a friend on pogo for over 8 years just seems like a sister, have never met her but we talk on the phone I am in Calif. She is in Kentucky, I guess living in the country puter friends are the best,My family that is left is in Tennessee,my kids are grown and moved to other states and towns 🙁
Well you've been a good friend to me for a very long time. We aren't all that far apart either. I'm just saying. 🙂
Sometimes I think I have more virtual than face to face friends. I am certainly glad to have you as a virtual friend.
I've more virtual friends too. I do spend a lot of time online though. I'm glad you are a virtual friend too Rhonda. 🙂
I do… Especially because I got to meet Ferd and Gail Crotte in person after knowing them online… And in a few weeks I get to meet Linda Medrano!!!! From virtual to real!!!!
I love Ferd and Gail. Got to treat them to dinner at Encinal Yacht Club some years ago. A delightful evening once we got through all the traffic to get there. San Francisco bay area traffic can be brutal at times. 🙂
Oh very much I love them! Roche' does too. Most of his friends are virtual too. I especially love the ones I met online and then met in person later. Wonderful!
xoxo
bee
We spent a wonderful cruise together. I will never forget how delightful that was. You and Sarge, Dick and Sandy, Cat, Barb and Linda. A great week. 🙂
Dear Sandee, I have met some of the nicest and caring people blogging. It has been a blessing to my life. xoxox Catherine
Me too Catherine. It has been more than a blessing. 🙂
I've been blogging for ten years. I've got tons of virtual friends. Some I've met, some I'd really like to meet, and some that will always be virtual. This world is very small. This year I found out that one of my virtual friends was a childhood friend of one of my old coworkers. I thought that was so cool!
This world is very small indeed. I've noticed that same thing. How cool on the friend of your old coworker. 🙂
I enjoy virtual friendships too. One of the cool things is location doesn’t matter. However it is sad if they just disappear. Happens in real life too but in real life, if you are friends from work or a particular group, you can reconnect when things are not so busy. If they move, change jobs, join a different group, though, you are just as likely to lose touch. Japan has a nice custom — every summer they mail a postcard to say hello. No long message, just a way to keep in touch. If people move, if you didn’t find out earlier, you are likely to at that time. Xmas cards here do the same thing, I guess (but I used to work at the Post Office and I remember working 7 days a week so it put me off xmas cards forever).