Why Do So Many Folks Omit Where They are From?

I just don't understand. :confusd: They use a screen name and have aninimity, why leave out where they live on their Avatar? It's not like you will be tracked down in Dallas among 6-7 million in the area. They don't even have to put down the exact city/town, just say North Texas, for example.

I don't have my exact town down because it is illegal to have Constrictors where I live and I don't want to raise awareness.

It can be frustrating when the area pertains to the question or conversation and you don't know where they live. And sometimes I'm just curious where someone is from. :)

If someone enlightens me then maybe I will remove where I am from.

Lol, I don't know why others do it but for me I don't really have a set "where I'm from". I move about once every six months and sometimes as frequently as a month, so it's hard to keep updating where I'm at. I guess I could just put where I'm actually from and not where I'm living, but that seems boring lol. Ive been in one spot for almost a year now, though. So who knows, maybe I'll actually update it lol.

I imagine lots of folks just don't bother filling in that field, and the rest probably don't want to due to either personal reasons or simply not wanting to put any extra info on themselves out on the internet.

No idea but i'm glad I don't live in Texas if snakes are illegal :P Heck they are legal here and I still try not to parade them around when I take them outside. Don't need my neighbors having any type of fuel if we get in an argument lol. Took my gals outside today on the back deck for some sunshine.

I don't put my info out there simply because I have already had a crazy get on a bus in OK and came to where I live. He got pretty darn close to me. My last name isn't common, once they got that.... Simple.

the crazys are better at being crazy than we will ever expect.

A handgun will usually stop any confrontations from crazies, especially an 8" Colt Anaconda 44. Something about staring down the business end of it I guess ;) And heck, you should have chained him up!!. You could have had a pet crazy!!

Pure laziness. ;)

Maybe also a little privacy/anonymity. Although actually, I have used the same handle/screen name or versions of it on different forums, platforms, websites, etc, since the late '90's. I know I'm not the only person on the internet with a screen name that contains "coluber" but it isn't so common that a determined person couldn't use it to find out plenty about me.

But now that I think of it, maybe I'll fill in the profile a bit.

Lazy.

I like when people ask questions or need help but have no location listed.
I have given stuff and helped with husbandry to people I know are local to me.

Another vote for lazy. Now regarding social media for my xbox live account for example. I erased my location cause there were enough times where people would talk smack or flat out not like you just cause of where you live. I know game networks are different then forums but just wanted to share a possible type of reason as to why someone would NOT want show where they live.

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Originally Posted by EDR

Another vote for lazy. Now regarding social media for my xbox live account for example. I erased my location cause there were enough times where people would talk smack or flat out not like you just cause of where you live. I know game networks are different then forums but just wanted to share a possible type of reason as to why someone would NOT want show where they live.

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I'm not a gamer. I heard from others that you have to be pretty thick skinned to play online.

I doubt its laziness....Im pretty sure its because of privacy. Thats what it is for me. I have a stalker ex that knows I like snakes. So I have a very good reason for not putting my location.

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I'm not a gamer. I heard from others that you have to be pretty thick skinned to play online.

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It depends if its casual or cooperative games people are usually nice in those. But if its competitive shooting like halo or call of duty...yes it can get real ugly lol. I got a 10 year account and i've heard some seriously offensive, hilarious, and sick stuff over the years.

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Originally Posted by Sauzo

A handgun will usually stop any confrontations from crazies, especially an 8" Colt Anaconda 44. Something about staring down the business end of it I guess ;) And heck, you should have chained him up!!. You could have had a pet crazy!!

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Sauzo, you are right on about the business end of a gun being a deterrent/cure for anyone that chooses to stalk, rob or harm you. But as to reinz's question I felt the same way and went to my account and made changes so my location would show on my avatar. I prefer to know at least what part of the country the various people live in.

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

I like when people ask questions or need help but have no location listed.
I have given stuff and helped with husbandry to people I know are local to me.

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Ditto.

Privacy. I have a business life and a private life. I have snakes and I practice kendo. These things would be considered odd in my professional life. I do not wish to announce anything that could possibly affect my income. Basically I practice a if you need to know you do, if you don't you don't policy especially with anything that involves the internet.

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Originally Posted by JodanOrNoDan

Privacy. I have a business life and a private life. I have snakes and I practice kendo. These things would be considered odd in my professional life. I do not wish to announce anything that could possibly affect my income.

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Understandable, though it's rather sad that you have to hide who you are from your coworkers.

In addition to working in an IT position requiring a TS, I also am learning Krav Maga, Kali stick and knife fighting, and BJJ. My cowokers also know I keep snakes.

HaHa! I guess I was one of the "lazy" people. I didn't even realize it wasn't there...Fixed it now :)

I always figured if your worried about privacy, you shouldn't be on the internet at all. I don't think people realize just how much info is available if you just look in the right place. I've always added my town and state if it was an option, if somebody waned to track me down that bad they'll find a way anyway. And anyone foolish enough to show up wanting to harm me or my family will be facing the business end of a similar device to what was mentioned above. And it could just as easily be my wife or daughter holding it.

I think it's worth pointing out that there are lots of reasons to want privacy on the internet beyond the fear that someone will randomly decide to hunt you down and attack your family. In cases where you haven't become more personally involved first (like, having extended arguments or conversations, online flirting, etc) it's pretty rare for someone to say, "Hey, that person contradicted my husbandry advice, I will find where they live and stalk them".

One reason is for the sake of simple "digital hygiene" - make it hard for potential identity thieves to track you down and find out things like your mother's maiden name, your high school mascot, your email address, and other common answers to security questions that could let them break into your email, credit card, phone, shopping, and social media accounts, reset your passwords, and go on a shopping spree while asking your friends to wire them money in the Philippines.

Another reason is just for the sake of keeping your private life private, and it doesn't have to be because you have things to hide or might face discrimination in the workplace, either. School teachers in particular have every reason to keep their personal lives separate, and it doesn't have to be because they do inappropriate things in their personal lives; it's just because they want to have a personal life that doesn't involve being The Teacher 100% of the time. Not that your city and state will necessarily give anyone that much information, but it might - especially if you've ever mentioned other details about your personal life on the forum.

Heck, maybe it's just because you called in sick at work so you could take your animal to the vet and you don't want your boss to find out through the grapevine.

Personally, I sort of have two careers in two different fields. No one would be offended by that or anything, but I do sometimes feel the need to be a little careful about how I present myself in each one, because sometimes talking too much about the other job can make people think you're a dilettante or a hobbyist, not serious, not a "real" professional, etc. Posting on a snake forum has nothing to do with any of that for me, but for someone else it might.

Yeah but its still not hard to just put a state down.

Thats one thing I enjoy about me. The few of you here that actually know me know what you read here is how I really am. Point blank and if I tell you that I dont care...... I really dont.
Privacy is overratted LoL and nothing is hard to find.

I run the rodents, the snakes and even the holsters out of my house. Its a control and comfort thing. ;)

I know one thing for sure, most folks from Texas are proud of it and don't mind telling ya! :)

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I know one thing for sure, most folks from Texas are proud of it and don't mind telling ya! :)

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Lived there for five years, I know all about Texans Texas pride lol

You have a point. It became a habit for me, but honestly if someone really wanted to find me they could.

Thats why there is not a single point in my house that does not have something capable of self defense within arms reach. And why my back door has plexiglass on the inside. I learned the hard way.

Then again, you won't find me on Facebook Twitter or any of that. I have two separate phones, one for those close to me and one for everyone else. Same with my email.

It's not a matter of hiding who I am. It's more, feeling safe enough to actually be the real me. im okay with being called paranoid or crazy. Because the paranoia was pretty much what kept me safe for a while there.

(Btw, being a online gamer.... Thick skin isn't all you need. How many times have I had to smack down guys who get all caught up in my voice and the fact that I have "boobs". Fellas can we get a grip and go kill that boss?!?! Apparently in voice chat I have the voice of a erm...late night telephone girl....and the vocabulary of a well educated sailor with a Irish temper.

Go figure

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Originally Posted by Reinz

I know one thing for sure, most folks from Texas are proud of it and don't mind telling ya! :)

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well, I'm from Minnesota and I don't care who knows it but quite frankly it's nobodies business where I'm from and it's really not necessary for giving out husbandry advise. If someone doesn't want to advertise where they're from why would anyone care?

I don't put personal identification information in the internet, any more than I willingly give out my real name or post photos of myself. If there's any reason for anyone to know where I'm located, they can ask.

I personally don't mind sharing, but I know a lot of people my age (darn milennials!) were told to never ever ever post any revealing personal information online. Because bad men will find you and chop you up or something. I still get a little nervous posting anything personally revealing online as an initial gut feeling, but then I think logically about all the reasons it really doesn't matter whether I tell the internet what city I live in or not.

As an aside, all these "have a gun for self defense/ protecting your family," things... I just can't help think of how much guns can make things worse for certain households. Many, many people either have family with serious mental health issues or have issues themselves. Owning a gun would probably end in another nightly news tragedy for those households. Just something that maybe some hadn't considered. I would never feel safe with a gun in my household. I would rather take the astronomically slim chance of a home invasion than the daily, hourly worry of someone getting to a breaking point on a bad mental health day and doing something rash.

lol just follow the yellow brick road and u will find me here in the Emerald City (aka Seattle)

http://blog.silkroad.com/wp-content/...wbrickroad.png

:)

I am from Norfolk but not in Virginia lol. I am in not so sunny England :) beautiful part of the countryside though xx

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Thank you all for your responses.

One final thought; of those (the forum population) that don't want to give out information, I can't help but wonder how many of them have Facebook accounts, with their real names and locations, as well as job, and more.

Honestly, I suspect that most of the time people just don't want to bother with filling out their profile when they sign up; they just want to hurry up and register so they can ask why their BP isn't eating or whatever. If they hang around long enough to care, maybe they'll get around to it later. But if they just intend on asking a few questions, solving whatever problem brought them to the forum, and then be done, why bother?

Perhaps its they feel not everyone needs to kno that info about them. Why let it bother you that others profiles dont show their location... Does their location really matter? Why do you need that info?

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

Perhaps its they feel not everyone needs to kno that info about them. Why let it bother you that others profiles dont show their location... Does their location really matter? Why do you need that info?

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From the very first post:

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Originally Posted by Reinz

It can be frustrating when the area pertains to the question or conversation and you don't know where they live. And sometimes I'm just curious where someone is from. :)

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:gj:

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Originally Posted by Jeanne

Perhaps its they feel not everyone needs to kno that info about them. Why let it bother you that others profiles dont show their location... Does their location really matter? Why do you need that info?

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I've seen ads posted "local pick up only" - but no location.

And I've seen people ask for help, or "where can I buy a...", or "where is there a good vet..." and the person's location is important for giving a good answer.

because ppl are creepy

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Originally Posted by se7en

because ppl are creepy

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Oh man, that gave me my best laugh all week! :rofl:

stranger danger :licking::licking::licking:

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Originally Posted by se7en

because ppl are creepy

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You got any dogs?? :psychotic

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

You got any dogs?? :psychotic

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no, but i have some snakes :rolleye2:

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Originally Posted by se7en

no, but i have some snakes :rolleye2:

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Roses or succulents outside the windows?? :ninja:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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Originally Posted by PitOnTheProwl

Roses or succulents outside the windows?? :ninja:

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

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prickly pear cactus for the tortoises

Houston, tx bby