Why do people mistake me for a man online?

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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 .
  • #61
I used to play an online game called Monarchy and a similar game called Utopia. My kingdom kept getting attacked, so I decided to make a female kingdom, because I thought people wouldn't attack me if I was a girl. After I made that kingdom, I think I got attacked more.
 
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  • #62
Still waiting for proof also lisab and any other female poster here should give some too. Any pic of you around the age of 18 will do :)
 
  • #63
Keep waiting.
 
  • #64
Redbelly98 said:
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.

So now he just gets hit on by non-nerds.
 
  • #65
Ok so I had a thought... What do you think is the name/pic you need to use to get women to e-spam you?

My guess is a picture of money and a name with Pimpdaddy in it.
 
  • #66
magpies said:
Still waiting for proof also lisab and any other female poster here should give some too. Any pic of you around the age of 18 will do :)

My daughter just turned 18 a few days ago :-p.
 
  • #67
There are no girls on the internett.
 
  • #68
Asking for 18 yrs old sounds like so pedophile ..
 
  • #69
Does it? Does it really? *looks around* What?
 
  • #70
magpies said:
Women are too smart to do math imo.

Bingo. You must be very, very wise. :-p
lisab said:
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?

Oh, oh well. They don't matter. :-p This was a poll for this week. I'm sure I will continue to be a man on the Net until I'm dead.
 
  • #71
magpies said:
Does it? Does it really? *looks around* What?

We're all here to help.
Kind of. In a far-away sort of sense.
 
  • #72
magpies said:
Still waiting for proof also lisab and any other female poster here should give some too. Any pic of you around the age of 18 will do :)

Are there words missing from some of those sentences or what?
 
  • #73
GeorginaS said:
Are there words missing from some of those sentences or what?

The pitiable result of typing with one hand. :)
 
  • #74
Please?
 
  • #75
Geigerclick said:
The pitiable result of typing with one hand. :)

:bugeye:

magpies said:
Please?

:rolleyes:

Well, this topic went downhill fast. :-p
 
  • #76
magpies said:
Still waiting for proof also lisab and any other female poster here should give some too. Any pic of you around the age of 18 will do :)

Browsing around in these threads could have helped too.
 
  • #77
Nice find bro.

Ya ok so nobodys insanely ugly here or at least from people willing to post pics... Annnnd evo's daughter is cute who could have guessed?

Buuuuut still man until proven not.
 
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  • #78
magpies said:
Nice find bro.

Ya ok so nobodys insanely ugly here or at least from people willing to post pics... Annnnd evo's daughter is cute who could have guessed?

Buuuuut still man until proven not.

You're young aren't you? Lisab is pretty darned good looking in my estimation, as is Evo from what I've seen on that thread.
 
  • #79
magpies said:
Nice find bro.

Ya ok so nobodys insanely ugly here or at least from people willing to post pics... Annnnd evo's daughter is cute who could have guessed?

Buuuuut still man until proven not.

I still can't tell if you're being totally serious.

You know you're desperate when you want pictures from a physics site. :-p
 
  • #80
This is a question for Lisa and/or Evo, has there ever been a long standing PF member who for one reason or other by their style of writing, etc... had most PF members convinced that they were a man/woman when in fact they were the exact opposite ? This is an indirect synesthetic http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgyny" poll. lol.

Rhody... :wink:
 
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  • #81
leroyjenkens said:
I used to play an online game called Monarchy and a similar game called Utopia. My kingdom kept getting attacked, so I decided to make a female kingdom, because I thought people wouldn't attack me if I was a girl. After I made that kingdom, I think I got attacked more.

What an interesting experiment!
 
  • #82
leroyjenkens said:
I used to play an online game called Monarchy and a similar game called Utopia. My kingdom kept getting attacked, so I decided to make a female kingdom, because I thought people wouldn't attack me if I was a girl. After I made that kingdom, I think I got attacked more.

:smile:
 
  • #83
rhody said:
This is a question for Lisa and/or Evo, has there ever been a long standing PF member who for one reason or other by their style of writing, etc... had most PF members convinced that they were a man/woman when in fact they were the exact opposite ? This is an indirect synesthetic http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Androgyny" poll. lol.

Rhody... :wink:

Not offhand that I can remember.

Regarding gender-style writing: I used to think shorthand texting (e.g., u ppl r gr8) "sounded" feminine to me. Not sure why...it just doesn't sound, hmm, manly I guess.
 
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  • #84
lisab said:
Not offhand that I can remember.

Regarding gender-style writing: I used to think shorthand texting (e.g., u ppl r gr8) "sounded" feminine to me. Not sure why...it just doesn't sound, hmm, manly I guess.

Lisa,

Funny you mention that, my daughter is most guilty, shorthand is always her first choice when it comes to non-formal communication, must be a text message habit she picked up, since using cell phones. I have learned a whole new language begrudgingly because of her (ttyl, syl, ty, gmtfoh, lol). I have seen her use: "u ppl" before too.

Rhody...
 
  • #85
lisab said:
Regarding gender-style writing: I used to think shorthand texting (e.g., u ppl r gr8) "sounded" feminine to me. Not sure why...it just doesn't sound, hmm, manly I guess.

It does to me too. It kind of makes me feel uncomfortable when I text a known guy and he does that...
 
  • #86
rhody said:
Lisa,

Funny you mention that, my daughter is most guilty, shorthand is always her first choice when it comes to non-formal communication, must be a text message habit she picked up, since using cell phones. I have learned a whole new language begrudgingly because of her (ttyl, syl, ty, gmtfoh, lol). I have seen her use: "u ppl" before too.

Rhody...

I seen this used way before texting became a fashion, way before IM programs became so widespread in use that everybody uses them. I think (but I can be easily mistaken) that its origin can be traced back to BBS systems and the first online communities.
 
  • #87
Doesn't really sound feminine to me, it just sounds like the person isn't very smart. Now people who use "OMG" sound like they're a 14 year old girl.
Of course, men shouldn't be texting in the first place.
I think a lot of people got used to typing like that when they were 14 years old and just couldn't, or didn't try, to break the habit. Now they still sound like they're 14.
 

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