lonely at heart

• What makes cyberspace interesting? by John Suler, 6/26/97
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    • six of one.... by John Suler, 7/2/97
      
      

I have witnessed several on-line friendships go sour because of misunderstandings that might not have happened in a face to face setting. I have seen a very close friend continue to struggle with the fact that his thoughts are being misinterpreted by his female friends on-line. While I know his intentions have always been for friendships, he ends up in serious relationships.

He tells me that he simply tries to be friends with some of the lonely ladies that he meets. He listens to their problems and tries to be a caring friend. However, the ladies seem to have a different idea. It's not long into the friendship before they start telling him they love him, and want to meet him, so they can have a romantic relationship. This tends to come as a surprise to him.

His frustration is mostly involved with the fact that he only wants a friendship while each of his female friends only wants a romantic relationship. In the end, the same thing always occurs. The ladies always react as if he is "breaking up" with them.

To date, he has now known 8 different women, and has had the same problem with all of them. Only one woman has been able to continue the relationship on a friendship basis. So, after giving you all such a long story, I would like to know what you think of on-line relationships. I know the feelings can be very real. I also have seen that the misunderstandings are very real, and very painful.

• re: lonely at heart by John Suler, 7/15/97
  • re:lonely at heart by Stephanie, 7/16/97
    • re: lonely at heart by John Suler, 7/22/97
• Online relationships by TWB, 7/25/97
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  • re: lonely at heart by John Suler, 4/11/98
    • re:lonely at heart by scurryless, 6/22/98
• re:lonely at heart by loveme1042, 6/10/98
• lonely at heart/dissociated fantasy by John Suler, 6/10/98
• Real Love by Evonne Lewis, 6/24/98
• re: real love by John Suler, 6/29/98