Simple question. Options

[*mona lisa*]

Or perhaps it isn't. I see this happening often here. Say there's Person A, someone you like, and then there's Person B, someone you do not like. They both post something very true and honest. Why are your reactions to each person completely different? Isn't the content of the post more significant?

[*Monochrome.*]

No.There arent any differences.The only difference i make in the posts are maybe a slight joke within the post for the person i like that im replying too.

Then only on certian occasions do my reaction to the person i dont like kinda pop into my reply.

[HongKongDong]

Simply put, yes.

Too many times do thoughts of your liking or disliking someone get in the way of what's really in front of you.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

^ Well put.

It's hard to put aside personal differences and be completely objective when reading something someone wrote/posted. You have two people saying the exact same thing but one will irrirate you and the other you'll appreciate.

It's totally unfair, but that's just how it is sometimes.

Also, something I find funny is that if someone posts something ascerbic, but puts a smilie after it, somehow it's ok. Words mean a great deal and you should always know where you are and how it could be interpreted. If I read something here and I think it's rude, obnoxious, judging, annoying, grossly exaggerated, et al, a little laughing smilie isn't going to make me forget what that person posted. More often than not you can tell when someone is and isn't joking. If I'm fencing about, I have no problems PMing the person. Which is something I'm starting to do more and more so that I can prevent any further bias I may have because unfortunately, so much context is lost when not seeing person or hearing the voice behind the post.

Admittedly, there are people here I see that make me instantly blink or worse, wince. Before I have a chance to even read what they've posted, I already know I'm going to dislike what they've posted. It's something I'm working on. In fact, I've been trying to read the middle to right side of the screen before glancing to the left at the username.

Funny enough there are times when I can tell who's written what before seeing their name. In those cases, I'm not being biased. I just simply don't like how they've responded or I just don't agree with it.

[HakunaMatata]

I am constantly looking at the username (actually, more like avatar) before I read the post, which is absolutely terrible of me. Every time I do it, there's a little Homer Simpson in my head going "D'oh!"

And actually, unlike Rebecca, I've found that smilies have a pretty major effect on posts. I mean, they don't completely turn around statements, but they somehow make them more....real? I've pretty frigging bad at interpreting on-the-fence posts, and usually a smiley will confirm my suspicions so the posts goes one way or the other.

Of course the content of the post matters most, but we all develop certain biases. It happens irl, and it happens here; it's definitely not something I'm proud of.

[Señorita Semi-Au...]

It is just like real life but with online it's easier to confront someone with "ur a retard" or "ROFLOL loser" because (for the most part) we think that people online don't matter.

I've realized that most of the time if I just get to know the person who annoys me, I might see how much we have in common. So when I see someone who annoys me because of an opposing view, I try to remember that there is more to that person than one idea. I guess you have to have a little more patience with this approach, but maybe if everyone left some room for other people instead of being closed minded, we'd be all the better for it.

[crazeegirl411]

I believe that part of a reason why you want respect is because you want your opinions to be considered even though they might not be agreed. Personally, even if a person I don't like posts something agreeable, I would accept the idea. Sometimes when they present the idea in a certain way that makes me dislike them would be the reason though. It could really be how you think of a certain situation even if you're on the same side.

[*My Cinderella.*]

If what they're both saying is true and significant, there's not much I can do about whether or not I like them or not. At that point, personal differences get pushed aside. Even if one of them you may encourage, praise and add on to the opinion, where is the other one, you huff and just read it.

[*Duchess of Dork*]

And actually, unlike Rebecca, I've found that smilies have a pretty major effect on posts. I mean, they don't completely turn around statements, but they somehow make them more....real? I've pretty frigging bad at interpreting on-the-fence posts, and usually a smiley will confirm my suspicions so the posts goes one way or the other.

That's the thing though, Kaycee. I can't help but feel/think that a smilie can also be used to disguise truth.

It's sort of a get-out-of-jail-free-card when saying something that would otherwise be insulting and what not. (At least, it can be and I've seen them used as such)

[viugiufgjhfhjfhg...]

Or perhaps it isn't. I see this happening often here. Say there's Person A, someone you like, and then there's Person B, someone you do not like. They both post something very true and honest. Why are your reactions to each person completely different? Isn't the content of the post more significant?

The content of the post should be more significant, but first one has to get over the fact X person has wrote it.

From my experience, it would seem that as an online community's members get to know each other better, it is easier for this kind of prejudices to affect the way one does read other people's posts. I guess that once one gets a more or so solid opinion formed of the people it does interact with, it is easier to get that to shade the reading of their new posts.

In a way, it's like dealing with the classmate /coworker /etc... who you think is an utter berk. That person may one day come up to you with an interesting thought to share. But before a word is said you may have already thought "Jesus Lord, here's comes this jerk again ._.; " and will have raised the defenses up, thus probably missing on part if not all the message.

Fortunately, in an online forum we have the chance to take as much time as it's needed before replying as opposed to direct communication. So probably taking time to focus on keeping one's opinion about a person as searated as possible from their posts would be helpful.

I don't usually do that, though xP.

[dalenaadsiqnz]

Simply put, yes.

Too many times do thoughts of your liking or disliking someone get in the way of what's really in front of you.

^Gets to the point, and I think everyone has done that at least once.

[*Intercourse.*]

I don't think I would see any difference to be honest. I mean of course it could be with some other people. Everyone is going to be more biased towards the person they like. Simply put.

[Bonobo]

Its human nature unfortunatly. Just like jokes, if someone you "dont like" says a joke that your friend would say, you would only find it funny if your friend said it...