Why do people mistake me for a man online?

  • Thread starter Thread starter GreatEscapist
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the experiences and perceptions of gender identity in online forums, particularly focusing on why some individuals are mistaken for a different gender than they identify with. Participants explore the implications of usernames, cultural biases, and assumptions made in digital spaces.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that gender-neutral usernames may lead others to default to assuming a male identity.
  • There is mention of cultural biases on the internet that may favor male identities, possibly due to historical demographics of early internet users.
  • Some argue that the use of "he" as a default pronoun in English contributes to gender misidentification.
  • A few participants share personal anecdotes about being mistaken for a different gender and the reactions they received.
  • Some express that they do not mind being mistaken for a different gender, while others find it bothersome.
  • There are suggestions for changing usernames or avatars to reflect gender identity more clearly.
  • Participants note that the decoration of profiles may differ between genders, with women often using more personal touches compared to men.
  • Some express skepticism about the relevance of gender identity in a physics forum, suggesting that discussions should focus on content rather than identity.
  • There are humorous remarks and sarcasm regarding the topic, indicating a light-hearted approach to the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the reasons behind gender misidentification online. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the influence of usernames, cultural biases, and personal experiences.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention the limitations of assumptions based on usernames and the cultural context of online interactions, but these points remain unresolved and open to interpretation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring gender identity in online spaces, those studying cultural biases in digital communication, or participants in forums focused on STEM topics.

Did you think I was a man?

  • Yes

    Votes: 13 65.0%

  • No

    Votes: 7 35.0%
  • Total voters
    20
  • Poll closed .
  • #31
Why is it that people on the Net think I am a guy? In real life, I get teased for being not too feminine, but no matter WHAT site, everything thinks I'm a guy. And they're so SURE of it, too.
Now I think you're just a guy pretending to be a girl and making fun of us. You have posted this thread to make us poor guys start hitting on you.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #32
If it makes you feel any better, I assume that everyone online in any form of RPG is male despite their avatar's gender. Same goes for chat rooms. Sure I'll treat someone who says they are female as such (saying "she" and such), but I don't go as far as to "flirt with any of them. I don't much like the idea of anonymously flirting with a forty-five year old man wearing high heels and no pants.
.
.
.
... Or do I?
 
  • #33
luma said:
Attention seeker.

We don't care.

well, your sig sounds like a female signature/name, but your answer sounds like a male...

so,...
 
  • #34
luma said:
Attention seeker.

We don't care.

rewebster said:
well, your sig sounds like a female signature/name, but your answer sounds like a male...

so,...

Actually, the response sounded kinda catty, to me.
 
  • #35
GeorginaS said:
Actually, the response sounded kinda catty, to me.

are you saying, there may be a...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KQrJ7Jcendo&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KQrJ7Jcendo&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #36
Is there a Turing-test equivalent for gender?
 
  • #37
First rule of the internet: "Male until proven female."
 
  • #38
EnumaElish said:
Is there a Turing-test equivalent for gender?

A pelvic exam? :biggrin:
 
  • #39
Geigerclick said:
A pelvic exam? :biggrin:
Good. I meant remote, just like http://testing.turinghub.com/ .
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #40
EnumaElish said:
Good. I meant remote, just like http://testing.turinghub.com/ .

A pelvic exam with a webcam? :)

That, or you ask everyone why they leave the turtle to die on its back...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #41
Geigerclick said:
That, or you ask everyone why they leave the turtle to die on its back...
"My significant other trained me for it."
 
  • #42
EnumaElish said:
"My significant other trained me for it."

You're good!
 
  • #43
Geigerclick said:
You're good!
"Thanks, you are a nice person, unless you are a computer."
 
  • #44
my username can be a male or a female..in my place it is given name for both genders.
 
  • #45
GreatEscapist said:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=406192"

Well, did you? I'M NOT.

Why is it that people on the Net think I am a guy? In real life, I get teased for being not too feminine, but no matter WHAT site, everything thinks I'm a guy. And they're so SURE of it, too.

*sighs*

I thought you were a guy. But it was more of a default assumption, since I didn't read too many of your posts. Usually it's a good assumption, because there aren't that many girls in physics. In my department, there is one American girl inthe last three years of graduate classes combined.

People often (mistakenly!) assume I'm a girl simply because my user name ends in an a. Serves me right for using the same user name that an old ISP randomly assigned me back in the day.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #46
Rajini said:
my username can be a male or a female..in my place it is given name for both genders.
Do you see a tortoise when you look down?
 
  • #47
EnumaElish said:
Do you see a tortoise when you look down?
why you ask ?
 
  • #49
EnumaElish said:
It's a part of the test.

Ohh..i think i have to go out of this thread..!
have fun.
 
  • #50
Rajini said:
Ohh..i think i have to go out of this thread..!
have fun.
See my edit above (the link about the turtle). It's a variation on a Blade Runner theme -- a robot is questioned about a turtle, to verify that he (it?) is a robot, not a human.
 
Last edited:
  • #51
"Good afternoon, gentlemen. I am a HAL 9000 computer. I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992. My instructor was Mr. Langley, and he taught me to sing a song. If you'd like to hear it I can sing it for you."
 
  • #52
luma said:
Attention seeker.

We don't care.

I care. :D
And I was just curious. Sheesh.

And, it is kinda sad that not more females are in physics. I think it's (to be sexist) the math that turns them off, because physics is rather interesting.
 
  • #53
GreatEscapist said:
I care. :D
And I was just curious. Sheesh.

And, it is kinda sad that not more females are in physics. I think it's (to be sexist) the math that turns them off, because physics is rather interesting.

Male physicists the world around heartily agree. :)
 
  • #54
Ya but if more women join the ranks the only thing that's going to get done is ...well you know...
 
  • #55
GreatEscapist said:
Why is it that people on the Net think I am a guy? In real life, I get teased for being not too feminine, but no matter WHAT site, everything thinks I'm a guy. And they're so SURE of it, too.

*sighs*

Well I think of a woman more like a naturally "GreatEntrapist". The "GreatEscapist" is that rare man who manages to get away. :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #56
GreatEscapist said:
I care. :D
And I was just curious. Sheesh.

And, it is kinda sad that not more females are in physics. I think it's (to be sexist) the math that turns them off, because physics is rather interesting.

Actually a female friend of mine (also a physicist) also says that there are no women in physics because girls are bad at math. Don't shoot the messenger, but I suppose this might explain why there are so many women in biology and cemistry, but none in physics.
 
  • #57
arunma said:
Actually a female friend of mine (also a physicist) also says that there are no women in physics because girls are bad at math. Don't shoot the messenger, but I suppose this might explain why there are so many women in biology and cemistry, but none in physics.

Well, I guess it's kind of true. But there's always exceptions.
 
  • #58
Women are too smart to do math imo.
 
  • #59
Evo said:
When I first joined, people thought I was male. What is funny is that there is a male member that men think is female and he gets hit on a lot by men when he posts. :-p
magpies said:
Geez I didn't realize this was a date site :(
That doesn't matter, people who are openly female will get hit on at any internet site. Once I posed as female in an internet chat room, and was surprised that I was getting all kinds of "private messages", including a request for my phone number. Yeah, right, dream on fellah.

And for some reason, having the avatar of a male woodpecker isn't enough of a clue to some people. :confused: C'mon people, female red-bellied woodpeckers are only red on the back half of their heads. Sheeeesh.
 
  • #60
Wait a second...the title of this thread is, "Do you think I am a man?" but the poll question is "Did you think I was a man?"

What about those who didn't but now do? Or will in the future?
 

Similar threads

Why do we crave attention, even in the most uncomfortable situations?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Do Online Reviews Really Tell the Whole Story?
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
3K
Why do so many people hate science?
  • · Replies 28 ·
Replies
28
Views
12K
Why do we care if we offend people?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
14K
Do You Have a Favorite Alien Species in Fiction?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
5K
I want to help Physics education. What should I do?
  • · Replies 76 ·
3
Replies
76
Views
7K
Uniform Motion in 2D - A man chasing a bus
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
2K
Do Communication Styles on Forums Reveal Gender?
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
Is Doing More Always Better for Society?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Why I don't like a well-meant response and what is wrong with it.
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K