One of the fun things about dating online is the sheer variety of people that you encounter along the way. Some of them are odd, some of them are quirky. Some are wonderfully warm and some are just asking for a slap in the chops. One of the oddest combinations to have come to light in recent years however is the ‘webtrovert’.
What on earth is a webtrovert, I hear you cry? Well in very simple terms, a webtrovert is someone who is very much more confident online than in person. When communicating by way of emails and chat rooms they may be extremely voluble and knowledgeable, with a knack for communication that sweeps all before them. The term doesn’t just apply to communications online, it may also cover people who are more confident communicating by text, for example.
Are you a Webtrovert?
Well this is fairly simple to notice. If you are usually more comfortable talking to people by email or through your keyboard then the odds are that you are a webtrovert. There’s nothing wrong with this, or even unusual. Many people are more confident with written communication and prefer having the extra time to come back with a witty response than they might otherwise have if talking to someone in a bar.
The down side comes when you meet someone in the real world for the first time when they have only known you online. Whether this is for a date, or a job interview, the difference between how you present yourself in person and how you sparkle online can make the experience of finally meeting you more disappointing than you might otherwise hope.
If this sounds like you, then the best advice I can give you is to remember that the person who sparkles online is still you, not someone else. Summon up the courage to speak as if you were online and you can still sparkle.
Are you dating a Webtrovert?
Well it should be pretty clear within the first ten minutes of meeting them if they are – and the choice of what to do is pretty simple. You can either carry on long enough to wind down the date and make a gentle retreat, or you can rise to the challenge and see if you can help them come out of their shell.
Despite your disappointment, this person is still the same witty and intelligent person who piqued your imagination. Like most people who have confidence issues, it only takes a bit of positive feedback and encouragement to help them rise to the occasion. Invest the extra time needed for their confidence to show and you’ll be amazed how much fun you can end up having.