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So how many of you have actually spoken on the phone to somebody in SYM without having met them? What was the experience initially like to speak with somebody you had only previously communicated with online?

For me it was quite strange, and I was very nervous. At one time I was absolutely terrible speaking on the phone. Now I am slightly less likely to break out in a cold sweat, but speaking with a friend I had never met in RL by phone was initially more than a little daunting

@a mod,
could you please edit the "nutter" in the first poll question to "nutters" ? That will teach me to post at this hour without first drinking coffee...

I have only spoken to SYM:ers I have later met, but it feels sort of strange...I spoke to Ysh by phone before seeing her for the first time last summer, and that was a bit awkward since I was standing on a parking lot outside a shopping centre and it was quite noise and windy, so I had problems hearing what she said, and the worst thing was that she was giving me a description of how to drive into London! (Not easy, a zillion roads everywhere) However, that was a very good description, and we had no problems at all when we came there

I also spoke to Astafas by phone before meeting him, but only briefly to double-check our meeting point and time. He told me what clothes he was wearing, so I should not by any chance miss him. That was a good thing, since he looks quite different IRL than on the pictures he has posted here; he is handsome on the pictures, but IRL he is absolutely smashing, especially when he has red hair and beard

@ DW All changed for ya sis!
I've actually met more SYMers than I've spoken to on the phone

Indeed, I have met the lovely T-raptor, but have never spoken with her on the phone! Who needs phones when the internet will do?

I dont like the telephone.

Originally posted by T'lainya
I've actually met more SYMers than I've spoken to on the phone

Me too, I have met 7 SYM:ers now, plus Silur of course.

I think Ysh holds the record though! That's one of the benefits of living close to a major international flying node.

I'd rather meet than speak with a fellow SYMer by phone. Phonecalls, like forums, lack sensory input you only get from being in the presence of a person.

I've spoken to three SYMers via the phone, and ended up meeting one. Of course, the SYMer I met turned out to be the most incredible person I ever encountered.

In terms of sensory input, however, I'd say the telephone is definitely a step up from the electronic world of cyberspace. It is possible, then, to at least be able to grasp some sort of measure of the person beyond their writing ability...which seems to rise and ebb based upon the number of beers consumed.

Thanks to the telephone, I discovered that Yshania is, in truth, a very meek and unassuming country matron. (And if you actually believe that, you need your bloody head examined)

Actually, I enjoyed listening to her accent over the phone, it was quaint. I suppose she had a similar experience listening to my thick Southern drawl. Speaking to DW was just as enjoyable, though I admit that the screams and shrieks of terror I kept hearing in the background was rather unnerving.

@fable: Come now, there is a certain mystique about the telephone. I imagine you sound like Thurston Howell III.

Originally posted by C Elegans
Me too, I have met 7 SYM:ers now, plus Silur of course.

I think Ysh holds the record though! That's one of the benefits of living close to a major international flying node.

LOL! Well I have spoken to Sleepy, CE, Georgi, Minerva and Gruntboy prior to meeting with them (and some since), mainly to give directions or confirm meeting times. In addition, I have met Silur, T'lainya, Enchantress, Nippy (though we have exchanged a text message ) and Dottie, but never spoken with them on the phone, and I have spoken with dragon wench, Thantor, Vivien, and Chanak, but am yet to meet these guys

@Chan, ROFL! Quaint?! I'll get you back for that if you come to Mexico!

As far as comfort levels go, I have always worked in an environment which involves conversing on the phone regularly with people I would likely never meet, so I don't find myself too nervous, but then those calls usually have a reason...

There is always the risk of pregnant pauses if you speak with someone on the phone you don't know very well, without a purpose to that call other than socialising, and you are not that skilled with small talk I admit to being more likely to struggle with extended small talk on the phone than in person

Originally posted by Yshania
...and I have spoken with dragon wench, Thantor, Vivien, and Chanak, but am yet to meet these guys

We shall have to do something about this soon. Come to lovely Mehico, and Scayde and I shall have to take a little spin across the border to meet you. In fact, by the time you get around to visiting, I'll be able to take vacation time if I need it, despite the fact I am off four days out of the week.

Perhaps you have been to Mexico before, or have received advice from T, Gwally, or Scayde...but whatever you do, DO NOT drink the water there!

@Chan, ROFL! Quaint?! I'll get you back for that if you come to Mexico!

This is decidedly un-country matronish.

No worries, I'll come dressed in an asbestos suit, complete with (American) football pads.

There is always the risk of pregnant pauses if you speak with someone on the phone you don't know very well, without a purpose to that call other than socialising, and you are not that skilled with small talk I admit to being more likely to struggle with extended small talk on the phone than in person

Pregnant pause! LMAO! Interestingly enough, I didn't suffer from this as I spoke with you, DW, nor Scayde. In your case, you possess such a high level of energy over the telephone, I found it infectious, making chit-chat a breeze. Besides, my use of the word "quaint" spawned some rather lovely conversation, wouldn't you say so?

Wouldn't all of you like to know?

So, take a guess...Does BS have your number or not?

Originally posted by Bloodstalker
Wouldn't all of you like to know?

So, take a guess...Does BS have your number or not?

Aha so that was you calling last night

Depends, was the phone call predominantly heavy breathing?

@ BS The heavy breathing and the distinct clanking of the bottle of Turkey

Damn, I knew the Turkey would give me away

Originally posted by Bloodstalker
Damn, I knew the Turkey would give me away

Well that and the slurred demands to see my whip collection

Originally posted by T'lainya
Aha so that was you calling last night

Funny... T' do you recall those occasions someone kept calling my house and hanging up? It still goes on, and daily. If that is you BS you are in big trouble!

Originally posted by T'lainya
Well that and the slurred demands to see my whip collection

God, I MUST have been drunk...I only wanted to see?

Originally posted by Bloodstalker
Damn, I knew the Turkey would give me away

You should have killed the Turkey before it had a chance to rat you out.

@ Ysh..You're still getting those?
@ BS well I think there would've been more but I heard a thump like someone falling out of a chair and then silence