@VeryHappy - not sure how this perception would transfer over to my screen name. :))
@Hoggirl, I’m afraid I do have a mental image.
Your user name just makes me think of the old GAF film commercials with Henry Fonda. Which REALLY dates me.
honestly I don’t really even look at the user names so I can’t say that they impact me one way or another. Plus my wife and I both have used this login so it may or may not even be the same person! To me it was more about school pride Go Green! Go White! lets go State
very interesting question. Would I get different responses if I was named MassMoM? I recall there is a @Massmomm and a @massmom. I never compared what I get and they get but I think general civility would afford a more polite response to the ladies than to a dude. I would hope so at least.
People assume I used to be a nerd “before.” But it’s actually just my randomly assigned computer sign id at an old job.
One poster here has a user name that is a female name spelled backwards. I like that one.
I’m betting most biases are not conscious ones.
That’s really interesting Nrdsb4–I have always “read” your user name as Nerdsbefore.
My user name was chosen as part of a joke, really, to go on the Caltech forum. I do research in quantum mechanics, though, so it works. Occasionally people mistake me for the finance-type of Quant–an area where I know very little, though I do have two former post-docs who work in finance.
Initially, I encountered some gender stereotyping, due to assumptions based on my name (STEM, probably male). That has reduced a lot lately, though.
@poblob14 , that is funny! The Gaf part is because I LOVED those GAF viewmasters! Actually, it isn’t, but I love that we both remember the ancient stuff. You user name cracks me up. I always wonder what kind of blob a Po is. Is it Po on Teletubbies?
I feel for those kids who create an account on CC when they are feeling desperate or whatever. I wonder what became of DoomedStudent, or IAmSad, or CoolDude2016. And how many users have Harvard in their name? I am guessing it’s like the tattoo of an ex-significant other!
@Lindagaf , I’ve used this username on probably a dozen fora over maybe twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve noticed that “blob” is in it! :-& <== Beware of the Blob!
Oddly appropriate, actually. . . but you’re breaking it in the wrong place. :))
Anyone who disagrees with me I will spy on them through their microwave.
Where is @ellemenope? For the longest time I thought it was Ellen M. Pope, someone using her real name, rather than letters of the alphabet.
@Lindagaf said:
My mind is having a brownout with you joking about being a dude named “Dave” and all your past statements about wearing only a thong.
Hey, dudes wear thongs too! @hebegebe , had to think about that for a second, but oh my, that was a funny thread.
@poblob14 , STILL laughing, because blob is the only thing I see! Maybe it’s a bit like Bob Loblaw, from Arrested Development.
Slightly off-topic as I’m not referring to a cc name but this thread reminds me of when D3, an avid artist, chose heartofart (heart of art) as a screen name for some online forum. It didn’t last long when her friends incorrectly (with synonym) interpreted the name as hear to fart.
AAAAHHHH! For real LOL here, @hoosiermom. 
I didn’t think hard when choosing my name and was surprised it wasn’t taken already. In any event, it was an unfortunate choice on the BS forum as it immediately identified our school affiliation, and I have not been able to say many things I’ve really wanted to say as I had totally outted my kid early in the game and many on campus knew who I was. Couldn’t even use DH’s account which, aside from being against the rules, “ChoatieDad” doesn’t provide any more anonymity, though perhaps some (sexist) cred?
I’m with those who only look at the avatar which is why I haven’t changed mine; it just goes with my “voice” to many on the forums where I live. I find it disconcerting when a poster I’m comfy with changes his/her pic; that person becomes a stranger.
My name isn’t Cathy but I do have two kids.
Great thread!
I agree with ChoatieMom that long-time posters who change their avatar throw me off.
Along these lines, I’m curious about anyone else who wants to share the significance of their avatar.
I reply to a post based upon what I actually think relative to the subject – the identity of a poster really doesn’t factor into it at all. I just assume everyone else does the same. What would be gained to do otherwise?
In fact if I am in a rush or replying from my phone, a lot of the time I am not even aware of who I am replying to-- especially in the Cafe.
I’ve been here long enough that I can recognize some posters’ “voices” without even looking at the name or avatar. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one!
Yes, I can do that with a few of the posters, also, CountingDown.