Do people's avatars make a difference to how you see them?

24

Replies

  • efcdcdb
    efcdcdb Posts: 392 Member
    It doesn't affect how or what I think of people, but as others have said - I like it when I can get to know my friends a little bit, and I enjoy seeing different pictures of my friends, their family, pets, activities, etc over time. When I see people without any avatar at all, it makes me think they aren't here for the long haul. Maybe they are shy and don't want a pic of themselves - that's OK - but it is so easy to put a picture of something up. Really skinny or buff people make me a little jealous :sad: , but I don't judge them. And with the really larger people, so many of them have great faces. I don't mean to say that that is all they should put in a picture - I just like "people watching". :flowerforyou:
  • fitplease
    fitplease Posts: 647 Member
    <-- People still friended me. :-)
  • dalgal26
    dalgal26 Posts: 781 Member
    Doesn't matter to me what they put up. Cause you won't be getting a true picture of me. I have never been photogentic, fat or otherwise. :embarassed:

    Sooooo, what you see is my precious buddy. He is a heck of alot cuter than I will ever be. :glasses:
  • BrendaLee
    BrendaLee Posts: 4,463 Member
    Well, I guess I'm the odd man out, because I make an instant judgement about the person based on their choice of display picture. It's not necessarily a bad judgement, but I form an opinion, definitely. Some pictures say more than others, though.

    Do you judge (for want of a better word) people if their avatar is not of themselves?

    Only in the sense that it may say something about their personality or what matters to them. What they say on the forum is more important than their display picture.
  • azazelrabbit
    azazelrabbit Posts: 137
    Well my avatar has earned me the nickname 'Thumper'. How wonderful.

    I'm quite fond of people who have animals as their avatar (hence <<<) because they still have character but the site remains fairly anonymous, which is a benefit in my opinion.

    Might keep 'thumper' for now :)
  • azazelrabbit
    azazelrabbit Posts: 137
    The rabbit is definitely giving Diana a run for her money in the "wicked cute" department. ;) How many sit-ups you think I've got to do to get awesome ears like that?

    He's a little furball, isn't he :)
    Hmmm... I reckon hanging upside down would be more effective than sit-ups, haha. Give yourself 2-3 years upside down and you'll have long ears in no time!
  • lucyholt1
    lucyholt1 Posts: 9
    It helps me to see who might be similar to me in terms of progress etc without having to go into everyone's profile! Laziness really...

    I'm the same really. I don't judge people on their pictures, but if I see full body photos I would be more inclined to look on their profile as I like to see how people have progressed. I like to see before and after pictures because it inspires me :)
  • lucyholt1
    lucyholt1 Posts: 9
    Doesn't matter to me what they put up. Cause you won't be getting a true picture of me. I have never been photogentic, fat or otherwise. :embarassed:

    Sooooo, what you see is my precious buddy. He is a heck of alot cuter than I will ever be. :glasses:

    your dog is so cute!!
  • milanks
    milanks Posts: 122
    Well my avatar has earned me the nickname 'Thumper'. How wonderful.

    I'm quite fond of people who have animals as their avatar (hence <<<) because they still have character but the site remains fairly anonymous, which is a benefit in my opinion.

    Might keep 'thumper' for now :)
    I like the bunny very much! I agree about the anonymity being a benefit, I like keeping my "real pictures" tucked away in my profile. That way, I'm "here" but it reduces the chance that a casual acquaintance, friend of a friend, co-worker etc. might stumble across some embarrassing post I've made about cellulite or something. :)
  • MrDude_1
    MrDude_1 Posts: 2,510 Member
    Well, I guess I'm the odd man out, because I make an instant judgement about the person based on their choice of display picture. It's not necessarily a bad judgement, but I form an opinion, definitely. Some pictures say more than others, though.

    Do you judge (for want of a better word) people if their avatar is not of themselves?

    Only in the sense that it may say something about their personality or what matters to them. What they say on the forum is more important than their display picture.

    exactly... although i didnt hear any scooby jokes until i had this avatar. lol
  • ktrn0312
    ktrn0312 Posts: 722 Member
    Not much of a picture taker. The house was the only thing I had to add.
  • azazelrabbit
    azazelrabbit Posts: 137
    I like the bunny very much! I agree about the anonymity being a benefit, I like keeping my "real pictures" tucked away in my profile. That way, I'm "here" but it reduces the chance that a casual acquaintance, friend of a friend, co-worker etc. might stumble across some embarrassing post I've made about cellulite or something. :)

    The bunny likes you!

    I know, that would be so embarrassing to find someone you knew on here. Haha.
  • HauteP1nk
    HauteP1nk Posts: 2,139 Member
    I think avatars give us an idea of what a person is like. Should we judge a person by their picture? No...but sometimes it gives us insight into things that they like.

    Your avatar says to me that you like animals and are a friendly person.
  • Angelabec
    Angelabec Posts: 505 Member
    It occurs to me though, that I would probably get a lot fewer requests if I didn't have a ticker. Whether that's down to the pic, or just because I'm an *kitten* is another matter!
  • theblondetrick
    theblondetrick Posts: 192 Member
    No matter what someone's avatar is I'm still going to remain friendless so I pay it no mind.

    forever alone xD
  • tataliciousd89
    tataliciousd89 Posts: 465
    Most of my friends do have pics of themselves. I have one of me, but I prefer my Alizay as my main pic, because it makes me smile. I don't think it really matters, but I don't like it when they have no pic, because thats just lame. Put up something even if it is a lightsaber or bird feeder. I don't give a crap what, just something.
  • girlontheseesaw
    girlontheseesaw Posts: 90
    Actually the body shots all kind of merge into one, for me. Whether they're fat or thin. I like avatars to give me a clue about a person, and the full body shot ends up so tiny you can't really see what's going on.
  • Showcats
    Showcats Posts: 32
    I don't judge by the picture. I think many of the avatars are very creative. Maybe when I get down to my goal weight I will use a picture of me but until then it will be my cat.
  • asia_hanebach
    asia_hanebach Posts: 275 Member
    I don't judge people's pictures based on their weight - we're all here to fix our lifestyles anyway. I find that I can't help but judge the guys who have pictures of themselves flexing topless in front of a mirror. I know that everyone with success stories on MFP uses some sort of picture to show of their body (and I'm sure I will too), and that's all that these guys are doing. However, I can't help but associate those sort of pictures with the sort of guys who post pictures like that on their facebook profile picture, most of which (not all) tend to be the conceited-jerk type
  • alyson820
    alyson820 Posts: 448 Member
    It doesn't matter to me, but it helps me recognize people on the boards. I don't really like the default blue pic because it's hard to figure out who that is.
  • LastMinuteMama
    LastMinuteMama Posts: 590 Member
    Well, I guess I'm the odd man out, because I make an instant judgement about the person based on their choice of display picture. It's not necessarily a bad judgement, but I form an opinion, definitely. Some pictures say more than others, though.

    I do the same {instant judgement} unconsciously, I'm sure; like I do most things. It wouldn't keep me from friending someone, but for some reason I like a real picture, with a face, because, and I know that it's corny, it makes me feel like I'm "talking" to the person...for the same reason you might skype someone. It just seems more personal.

    However, that is a damn cute bunny : )
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I prefer to see photos of the person, current is a bonus since if I am going to be your friend or comment on your progress and support you I'd like to know who I am dealing with.
  • smlamb33
    smlamb33 Posts: 342 Member
    I don't judge others by their avatars but, sometimes I do make a new friend if they have an avatar of something that I'm am into, like Dr. Who! :)
  • NotGoddess
    NotGoddess Posts: 1,198 Member
    I have a body-shot avatar because I finally reached a 'normal' BMI and I'm trying to see myself as others might and not as the chubby woman I've always been. Getting rid of that fat mentality is hard!

    I take others' avatars as an indication of their personality. I love seeing all the fun, whimsical choices people make and I have friended people just because their avatar appealed to me.
    13507710_5865_thumb.jpg
    This is me and I expect everyone else to put a photo of themselves as well.
    Squirrel - I do wonder what gravity your home planet has that you have so much to lose!
  • woou
    woou Posts: 668 Member
    I like keeping my "real pictures" tucked away in my profile. That way, I'm "here" but it reduces the chance that a casual acquaintance, friend of a friend, co-worker etc. might stumble across some embarrassing post I've made about cellulite or something. :)

    I do the same. :smile:
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    People may think it doesn't, but I have noticed a huge variation in the tone of the responses I get, depending on what my avatar is.
  • donnam40
    donnam40 Posts: 246 Member
    I don't worry too much.

    My avatar was loaded by my 17 year old daughter after a recent holiday to Hawaii. She told me to be proud of the way I look "at my age". I always love that add on!
  • kngarber
    kngarber Posts: 227
    Doesn't make a difference to me as long as it isn't racist or just downright inappropriate.
  • SergeantSunshine_reused
    SergeantSunshine_reused Posts: 5,382 Member
    Nah I couldn't careless as long as it is appropriate
  • azazelrabbit
    azazelrabbit Posts: 137
    I don't judge others by their avatars but, sometimes I do make a new friend if they have an avatar of something that I'm am into, like Dr. Who! :)


    I LOVE DOCTOR WHO! ♥
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