One thing I’ve grown to realize is how difficult it is to truly get to know someone when you’ve never spoken on the phone or seen them in person. Now, there are exceptions to every rule and I’m grateful that a number of people in my life and work are steady eddies who are frank, honest and don’t hide behind their online personality to be something different than how they are and who they should be.

Then I see folks who hide behind their keyboards and do things that you wouldn’t typically see someone do in “real life” or a face to face situation. Being a “username” and having a gravatar all of a sudden gives the license to say or be anyone you want. It makes it difficult to get to know someone, let alone build a solid foundation of trust.

I’m glad I have people who shrug the drama queens off and are happy to move right along with me. It’s too much of an emotional drain to wonder why someone would be malicious – with these fanciful interwebs it’s usually a simple answer.

Because it’s just so darn easy.

Image: sxc.hu