Talking online vs. offline
I’ve said many times when I have something I need to think over/sort out/plan I usually play a game. Sometimes it’s World of Warcraft (or the MMORPG I’m playing at the time), sometimes it’s a jigsaw puzzle. I need something that requires me to think, but not “too much”. The more I play the more I’m thinking. The more I think the more I accomplish.
Today I bumped into a friend of mine in World of Warcraft. He logs in/out of the game a lot because he buys/sells Auction House stuff (he finds stuff people put on AH too low and sells it for a profit). Funny how people inject real life into a game. Anyway, because he is in/out of the game often he knows how often I am in. Today he looked at my level and sent me the message, “Uh oh, you’re thinking…”
I couldn’t help but laugh because he was right and there was no way I could deny it. I should be a much higher level if I was focused. His theory was the lack of level I accomplished meant my brain was frying. My friend suggested I focus on the game so we teamed up to do a quest. Usually we do this at night. It truly sucks when you are in the middle of a big fight and the phone rings - a call that has to be addressed. We broke the rule and did it smack in the middle of the day. We took a quick break to get something to drink and some munchies, picked up the phone and decided how we were going to kick some butt. It wasn’t as smooth as it could be because the phones rang, doorbells rang, emails had to be answered - which is why I prefer voice gaming at night but we had a great time and we kicked some butt.
My friend lives in another state. We met online, clicked and took it offline by talking, then eventually meeting. There are times when we chit-chat via IMs but when we want to “talk” we talk by voice. He’s not a “phone person” but we talk often.
In personal situations like gaming, for me voice=special. I can talk to strangers during the day but I only talk to family and friends at night. If I’m online or in a game at night I’ll type up a storm but unless you are my friend, I won’t talk to you.
I think people who are online as much as I am have to set some sort of limit, dependent on the individual’s level of comfort. I don’t use the word “friend” lightly but my friends know they can call me anytime and I’ve got their back. Ironically, I met some of my “bestest” friends online.
Do you have barriers that you place on online communications? I admit I do…chalk it up to another one of my old-fashion traits.
Related posts:
Alison Says:
I would set a boundary too. I see people putting their cell phone numbers online and I wonder do people actually call?
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Marcus Says:
If Tyme puts a number up people will call it regardless of the time.
I don’t want to be “always” accessible. Nights is off limits for me too - except for friends and family.
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 8:14 pm
Felix J. Says:
Got to have boundaries. I made the mistake of giving my boss my cell phone number. Ended up having to change it. I can only imagine online it’s worse. The internet never closes.
I think boundaries are especially needed for women. You’re targets and no that’s not fair.
Soooo…whatcha thinking?
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 8:42 pm
Charlotte Says:
Alison I see that too, on web sites and in email signatures. Does anyone call? Is it a voicemail type thing? I hate it when people put down a phone number and it’s an answering machine. Say that: voicemail.
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 8:50 pm
Aaron Says:
To have personal time I think bloggers have to set limits. I don’t agree with all the transparency beliefs. To a degree, yes but to be always accessible? No.
I know some people just don’t answer the phone but I would prefer it not to ring at all.
I don’t jump into voice conversations on a personal level much. I have to get to know them first. If I meet a girl I’m going to talk to her for a while before I ask for her number. Same thing.
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 9:12 pm
Marcel Says:
I met friends online in games that became good friends offline. Talking while playing makes it more fun but I only do it with my friends. Typing is cool for everyone else.
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 9:41 pm
Shawn L. Says:
At my job they requested AIM, Yahoo, etc. names. Sometimes co-workers contact me when I’m off and that bugs me. Boundaries are getting harder to maintain.
Posted on February 23rd, 2006 at 11:19 pm
Felicia Says:
I’m in a meeting and the boss is trying to figure out to better communicate with our new foreign offices. He thinks IMs and voice-chats would be an economical quicker way to communicate then email.
I’m setting boundaries now. Right now.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 11:55 am
Scrivs Says:
When you say “friends” do you mean watching them die endlessly in WoW while you sit around dumbfounded wondering how it is possible that you could let someone die while you did nothing to help? Then yes I agree. You are a friend Tyme. One of the best online friends I have. I’m off to go die again.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 6:33 pm
Marcus Says:
LMAO She let you die? She’s usually so protective. I can’t stop laughing.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 7:40 pm
Tyme Says:
No what I mean by “friend” is watching you charge at one mob, pulling four others to you. While I eat your dust and run to catch up (you did charge, remember?) I watch them pound the crap out of you for a couple of seconds. Then I try to fight them all off because they are now pounding the crap out of me. Loyal “friend” that you are, realizing you got us in this mess, you stay until the end, even when I tell you to go and spare yourself…and die.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 8:02 pm
Felix J. Says:
Oh my goodness. This is too funny. Are you guys talking or typing while you play?
I have an idea. Get out the game for 20 minutes and do ScrivsTyme.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 8:22 pm
Phillipe Says:
Haha, this is funny. I can imagine Scrivs saying “what the…?” and Tyme saying “Noooooo!!!!”
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 8:30 pm
Felicia Says:
They must be talking - that’s why he dies. Tyme is mesmerized by the voice.
Scrivs: Tyme what are you doing?
Tyme: Huh?
Scrivs: I need help!
Tyme: Could you just sigh in exasperation one more time.
Scrivs: Dang it Tyme! I’m about to die!
Tyme: Ok, I’ll save you. But you have to promise to talk while I kill.
The woes of having that voice Scrivs.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 9:18 pm
Tyme Says:
We are typing while we play. I can’t get him to turn on the mic and talk to me.
Posted on February 24th, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Roscoe Says:
Happy to oblige. I had a blast but I’m jealous of your vanish. I need to roll a rogue.
Tyme you have to set boundaries because you’re a highly sought after female. If you had no boundaries you’d never have any personal time. Interesting…all the years I’ve known you I never recall you saying that you had a hard time getting a man to talk to you. Usually it’s them wanting to talk to you and you not wanting to be bothered. This requires different tactics girl.
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Tyme Says:
Different tactics? Tactics?
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Roscoe Says:
Yeah tactics. Just like there are different methods of seduction, there are different ways to get Scrivs to do a podcast.
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 10:55 am
Felix J. Says:
Yes Tyme. Be creative. This is ScrivsTyme you’re working for.
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 11:06 am
Tyme Says:
Oh geez…you two are nuts. There are only so many ways to ask someone to do a podcast before it turns into begging. I don’t beg.
I figure when he’s ready we’ll do it.
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Roscoe Says:
Never beg. I have the perfect tactic. Going to send you an email.
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 11:35 am
Tyme Says:
Roscoe your plan is not going to work but I’ll try it.
Posted on February 25th, 2006 at 11:59 am