I recently meet someone and was going to ask them to describe themselves in a paragraph. I realized I wasn’t able to do it myself. I also wasn’t sure how they would react. I thought I would ask here first and see how you folks react.
I’ll define paragraph as three to four sentences.
It sounds like an interview question and not really an icebreaker, imo
Hmmm, fair… it could come across as such. Hence not actually asking it. Your comment would make me lean toward not asking at all.
Appreciate the perspective.
…without doxxing yourself.
Ha! Yeah, if anyone actually responds please don’t do that!! 🙂
Oh I’m just… a … regular type dude >!.. with a big-ass dick!<
So you’ve got another body part instead of a penis or a penis that is shaped in such a way that it only fits into one hole only and only with people who have giant butts?
Must be horrible
That sounds horribly transactional. Like you’re asking people to apply for a job as your friend.
That may just be me, but I wouldn’t react well if someone approached conversation like a job interview.
As stated fair point. Again, coming to the collective to gather data helps us be better people. Didn’t actually ask, and feedback suggests don’t do it… as such I won’t.
Thanks for responding, appreciated!!
It’s an interesting idea. I think it’s just the phrasing. You’re giving someone, socially and conversationally, an instruction. That’s bound to illicit a knee jerk “you’re not the boss of me!” reaction, mentally if not verbally.
I can absolutely see that as a way this question could be interpreted. It felt like a “bright idea” at the time but, not so much now. My plan is to just keep letting things play out as they have been.
Long and hairy, hard to carry. Grumpy but tolerable in small doses. Absurd at any dose.
Hahaha, thank you for the light hearted reply. Although long hairy… seems a little scary 😱 🤨
That’s what she said ;)
I walked right into that one!! An upvote has been given 😂
i’m surprised nobody said “i use arch btw” yet
Oooffff! Funny!! Yeah, that is pretty prevalent on Lemmy 🤣
Daydreamer that dreamt themself out of a functional life. Not just a late bloomer but still a sprout. A hopeful idealistic child in the body of a jaded misanthropic adult. I dance to a tune playing in my earphones where only I can hear it most of the time, unless someone is close enough.
Your third sentence sounds like something I would say. Thank you so much for sharing.
I hope others get a chance to hear your tune and maybe help you not be such a misanthrope. But, continue being a daydreamer
no
That would be a completely acceptable answer! An answer this person might have given as well. Which would make things awkward after that. You perspective is noted.
Thanks!!
You’re welcome.
I’m a jack of all trades master of none and Maker. I’m not afraid of being alone both physically and metaphorically. I care about other people far more than most realize, but on my terms like how I often see potential beyond what others see in themselves. My humor, curiosity, abstractions, and occasional cynicism are often misunderstood but have nuance in most cases.
Your response is great and appreciated. I think when this question originally came to me, I was thinking of this type of answer.
I think others have provided a good point for the question itself and I probably won’t ask it. You taking the time to respond was helpful!!
I’d leave it on read and probably never talk to you again
That’s a fair response. A bit extreme IMO but everyone has a different perspective on this.
For context, it would have been asked during a phone call not a message. However, they could have hung up and never said anything to me again.
The final consensus, for me, is this question should be left out of the conversation.
I do appreciate you taking the time to provide your perspective, thanks!!
I’d just copy/paste the lyrics from “what’s my age again?” By Blink 182.
Pretty much sums it up.
Hahah, that’s too much 🤣 I doubt you’re that bad!! Fun song though!! Thank you!
Nice try FBI
You got me!! You saw through it! I’m trying to profile all of Lemmy with this one… and failing miserably!
🙃😁
Not today NSA
Nice rhyming game that’s starting up here!!
Why? That’s what the account bio is for
Not sure I follow. Would you be willing to expand on this?
I also apologize. I met someone IRL and this question came to mind. I have not asked for / seen any social media profiles.
However you are correct, they could have something posted that “sums them up”. I’m just not aware. We just recently met.
Appreciate the response!!
Foolish fool, I can expand a single sentence into several pages!!!
Fair… another reason I was asking the collective. Was curious how many may say it was unpossible to do in a few sentences.
(It’s the Simpsons, don’t harass me for spelling 😁)
I’m late to the party, but I don’t think there is anything wrong with asking someone to talk a bit about their self in an attempt to get to know them better. The context is very important however. If you and this person have been talking one on one for a bit already, maybe something like “I have enjoyed talking to you, can I ask you to tell me a bit about yourself so I can get to know you better?” Is an appropriate way to go about it. I’m not sure if the person you are talking about is someone you met in real life or on the internet.
As far as the internet goes, a/s/l was a very popular question to ask 20 years ago in chat rooms but probably wouldn’t go as well on modern social media. For that reason I don’t think straight up asking “can you describe yourself in a paragraph” would work very well either. Most people dont seem to use social media as a way to get to know the other users on a personal level. It almost feels like it’s against the point of ‘social’ media, but most interactions I’ve seen between users are brief and users go on their way after a few posts. Especially sites like Lemmy where we don’t provide personal information. On the other hand, Lemmy is very small and if you find someone with a shared interest in a niche community, i think its ok to reach out, but maybe try to just keep the conversation on that topic.
If you’re talking to someone in real life maybe try the previous suggestion. Or skip it all together and invite them to hang out somewhere. No better way to learn about a person than by spending time with them. And by doing that, there is less of a chance of making them uncomfortable by talking about their self.
Nah, your fashionable coming to the party 🙂
Right! Agreed, context is important. I think this particular question won’t be used, at least not the way I originally thought it would. My “idea” was to get away from the back and forth of questioning.
As an example… you ask someone if they consider themselves an introvert. They answer and they “how about you?”. I originally thought maybe they would be able to just tell things about themselves and I could ask follow up questions. All without it being back and forth.
Having said that, I do realize that is as much my ability to make things interesting in the conversation as well.
Yeah, I remember the a/s/l days. I’m glad those are gone haha. Yes, social media in the current context is terrible for true social interactions. I don’t think that’s the point of it anymore though, well corporate social media anyway.
For context we met IRL, but there’s some distance between us so hanging out is challenging. Your point is valid about not making them uncomfortable. That’s my ultimate goal and your (and others) opinion have been a great help!!
Thank you so much!
