My friendships on SF are both real and comparable to many of my in-person relationships. We've reached out to each other to give and receive support during particularly difficult moments as well as especially joyous ones.
In my mind and in my conversation, I don't differentiate between SF friends like
@hollydolly,
@Pinky,
@RadishRose,
@Gary O',
@katlupe,
@Pink Biz,
@SeaBreeze,
@Alligatorob,
@Kaila,
@Paco Dennis,
@Murrmurr (and so many others here), and in-person friendships unless it's specifically relevant to the matter at hand. These are people I've come to know over the years.
Might some here be scammers? Perhaps. But if so, they'd have to be playing the very, very long game - and an extremely subtle one at that. Not one has asked for my address, last name, phone number or other personal info. (I've exchanged email addresses with a few in case one of us disappears without notice from the forum.)
Most of those I've become close to have been on SF for many years, and we've built trust and affection over time.
...Of course I only know a limited part of their personality but I feel like they are 'old friends' I belong to one board for close to 20 years. I have found I feel affectionate toward even those with whom I strongly disagree, mostly because we have 'history' together..
