1st Impressions and Your Avatar

**Cricket** · 03-30-2006, 05:52 PM

Do you think people make conclusions about an individual based on their online avatar, similar to first impressions (in person) based on looks?

**G10** · 03-30-2006, 05:56 PM

Yes

If you can't see a persons photo then the only other thing you can judge them by is by what they type and their avatar.

Don't know what that says about me :-)

Heather · 03-30-2006, 06:04 PM

That's a really interesting topic, Cricket.

I have wondered the same thing.

I tend to be wary of people who have violence-themed or scary images.....but on the opposite side, I feel immediately at ease when someone uses an image of a child or an animal. Of course, this is the internet, so who knows? A serial killer certainly could choose a bunny photo to throw everyone off...

For the record, there's absolutely no meaning what-so-ever behind my avatar...lol. It's just a small version of a graphic I made.

PS: I love your doggie, Cricket!

**Cricket** · 03-30-2006, 06:08 PM

Guess that makes me a dog when I use a puppy pic.

I have wondered about this because I have noticed in some forums that people are often treated differently, and it seems to correlate (in some ways) with their avatar. As an example, if a woman uses a "hot" pic, she gets a ton of "attention" even when the picture is of say a celebrity. A geeky avatar seems to lead to some geeky conversations.

Perhaps we choose our avatars based on our personalities though?

Oh goodness.. Not sure where that leaves me either then!

Ferre · 03-30-2006, 06:16 PM

My avatar is innocent.

**G10** · 03-30-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferre

My avatar is innocent.

Hmmm!

Heather · 03-30-2006, 06:22 PM

You are not even remotely a dog! I saw your picture....you're pretty!

I totally agree with what you said!! I have noticed the same thing. I do think some people try to express who they are through their avatars. When a girl uses a sexy avatar....she immediately brands herself as being *sexual*. This, of course, will encourage guys to flirt....which is fine, as long as she realizes that's going to happen. I have no sympathy for a woman who gets mad if she's hit on for having a sexy avatar.....lol.

In one of the forums I used to go to, I decided to use a Seinfeld avatar, just for the heck of it. It was a little still shot from one of my favorite episodes. I was so glad I used it; all of the forum Seinfeld fans immediately identified themselves. That opened up endless funny conversations about the show and many trivia games.

My old avatar....lol.

**Cricket** · 03-30-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ferre

My avatar is innocent.

roflmao... uh huh!

**G10** · 03-30-2006, 06:29 PM

I mean, I am constantly getting hassled by the girls due to my sexy avatar. They just won't leave me alone

On a more serious note, I do agree with you and some people list their avatar as a way they want to be percieved and it will affect other peoples behaviour.

Brian · 03-30-2006, 06:47 PM

Maybe this is why no one talks to me

Heather · 03-30-2006, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

I mean, I am constantly getting hassled by the girls due to my sexy avatar. They just won't leave me alone

lol

Hmm.....maybe it's the giant phallus strapped to your face?

**G10** · 03-30-2006, 06:52 PM

@ ~Heather~ - Your previous avatar scares me

@ Brian - I'll talk to you if you like

Heather · 03-30-2006, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian

Maybe this is why no one talks to me

HI, Brian!

My daughter thinks you're cute....lol

Heather · 03-30-2006, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

@ ~Heather~ - Your previous avatar scares me

LOL!! See?? This just proves the theory of how people are judged by their avatars. To you.....I now seem, perhaps, mentally disturbed. However, to a Seinfeld fan, I'm way cool....LOL!!

PS: G10, I really appreciate the effort of the extra typing...but you don't need to include the tildes in my name.

The tildes suck..lol. I only have them because someone else is registered as "Heather".

**G10** · 03-30-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ~Heather~

LOL!! See?? This just proves the theory of how people are judged by their avatars. To you.....I now seem, perhaps, mentally disturbed. However, to a Seinfeld fan, I'm way cool....LOL!!

From your previous avatar, I think you have a slightly dark, funny and wicked sense of humour.

I am probably completely off track but that was my judgement on seeing that one

BTW - I don't watch Seinfeld so I can't comment on that.

**Zap** · 03-30-2006, 07:08 PM

I agree with some of what's been said here. I had (if you all remember) a shot of the back of my head. I shave my head regularly and I do it because it's easier for me to manage. I love the "no maintenance" part of having almost no hair.

Because of that, there have been many on another forum who have jumped to the conclusion that I am a skinhead. And, I suppose I am, by definition. But it has lead to me being called

Racist
Nazi
Bigot

And a whole bunch of other things along those lines. The sad part about the whole thing is that it doesn't say a lot for humanity. Anyone who takes even a minute or two to get to know me would tell you that I don't have a prejudiced bone in my body. I treat each person based on my experience with them. Until I learn something bad about a person's character, by their actions, I assume the best in people and treat people with the respect they deserve.

I don't care what colour your skin is, what country you're from, what sex you were born as (or ended up), who you lay down with at night, etc. None of that matters if I can clearly see that you treat me and others well.

Just my

Heather · 03-30-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G10

From your previous avatar, I think you have a slightly dark, funny and wicked sense of humour.

I am probably completely off track but that was my judgement on seeing that one

I just want to clarify: you mean wicked in a raunchy way...not wicked in an evil way, yes?

If so, then you are exactly right...LOL!