Poll: If you met an Escapist member in real life...

[War Penguin]

... What would you do? Let's say you somehow you recognized that person (in a preferably non-stalkerish form) and he or she would also recognize you. Would you say hello and talk to that member or would you hide and hopes he or she doesn't notice you? Does it depend on the person?
The reason I ask is because we seem to be so comfortable with each other here on the Escapist. Is that because we're on the internet and our identity isn't seen so we can speak out courageously or do you think we created a community that we can be comfortable with some random people?
Explain what you would do and why.
Depending on the person I might say hello and leave as soon as possible unless that person is comfortable with talking. I think it would be both interesting and scary that I made friends with a random person on the internet. I'd figure why not talk to that person (assuming he or she is in close in my age group).

 

[EricKINGS]

I wouldnt know, guess id have to be there to know.

 

[New Troll]

Um say hello, maybe talk for a bit if they were friendly then go about my business? Oh wait unless it was one of the cute girls on here...thats a different story.

This. Especialy about the cute girl part cause then I'd be even more shy.

 

[black lincon]

I very well could have already met a few of the members, and by met I mean pass by them on the streets. there are around 8 members in the Chicagoland area and I could have seen any of them without ever knowing it.

think of bigger cites like new york. anyone from new york could have easily passed by an escapist and have never even known about it.

 

[Insert Comedy Here]

I'd talk, but that's because I'm a real friendly type.
With surprisingly few friends.

Oh well, more friends means more maintenance.

 

[BonsaiK]

I'd just say hello or whatever, I wouldn't really care. But I typically don't make any special effort to meet people online, unless they really want to. Also not sure if many Escapists live where I do...

 

[Dorian]

It all depends.

There's a few that I would talk to, get along with, and maybe even become friends with.

Some I might say hi.

The majority of the rest I would slink away without a word.

And there are a handful of people that I would be stopping myself from stabbing.

 

[Bored Tomatoe]

I'd say hello, throw a smoke pellet and run away really fast. That would liven up their day.

 

[zoozilla]

The reason I ask is because we seem to be so comfortable with each other here on the Escapist. Is that because we're on the internet and our identity isn't seen so we can speak out courageously or do you think we created a community that we can be comfortable with some random people?

I think the identity part.

It's so easy to post here and contribute to a social conversation - in real life? With no set topic, extreme personalities, or precious time to formulate well thought-out replies to well thought-out statements, conversation with a stranger generally consists of:

"Wow, it's real sunny today."
"Yup."

Not that I wouldn't talk to someone if I knew that person was from the Escapist; but it would not be like the threads here in the least.

 

[SharPhoe]

I'd happily converse with any Escapist I met on the street. I dunno how they'd recognize me, but it'd still be cool. I can't say I'm much of a conversationalist in life, but I try.

 

[Knonsense]

I think that how we found out that they were an Escapist would have a concrete impact on the encounter. How would that happen?

 

[Fire Daemon]

I've actually met some people at Escapism back in 2008. Nice enough people I suppose. We kidnapped a crab, that was pretty fun. Or would that be crabnapped? I don't really know.

EDIT: Actually I see a particular Escapist walking around my local mall every now and again although I never bother to say hi. what is there to talk about, really? "Hey it's me, the guy from the Internet. Well, see ya" is not a very interesting conversation.

 

[Fenring]

If I knew them I would happily chat with them, I hope to do this at PAX. We all share the same interests (games), so we would/will have something in common. I would expect a pleasant conversation.