# Do you reveals secrets about yourself on the Dope that you don't to anybody else? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 19, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604 "2010-01-19T20:15:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Stealth\_Potato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Stealth\_Potato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stealth_Potato)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/21 "2010-01-20T06:54:29Z")
I tend not to post under any particular assumption of anonymity – I suspect it would be pretty easy for someone to figure out who I am with a sufficient study of my posts, and that doesn’t really bother me. Like **BigT** says, there is a bit less social pressure, so it’s possible I might be just a little bit more free with words; but in general, if I’m not comfortable discussing it with friends face-to-face, I probably wouldn’t post about it here. I can’t really think of many such topics, though. Does that mean I’m self-assured or just boring? 😛 > [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](#): > > And that [REDACTED] incident with [REDACTED] chicken in the [REDACTED] with the [REDACTED]/shark hybrid. I am _slightly_ concerned that of the two animals used in this hybrid, the one that _wasn’t_ deemed necessary to redact is “shark.” I’d be much obliged if you could at least inform me if I should avoid coastlines for the rest of my life, or if there is even anywhere safe left on dry land. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/22 "2010-01-20T06:59:55Z")
Not really. I am aware that things I say may be read by people I normally censor myself around. I wouldn’t discuss flatulence with a little old white haired lady I see at my church. But, who knows, she may be reading my posts here. :eek: Now, that’s kind of weird. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/23 "2010-01-20T07:30:27Z")
I’ve mentioned a few things here that my friends don’t know. Not secrets, exactly, just stuff that no one in real life ever bothers to ask about. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 9:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/24 "2010-01-20T09:41:06Z")
That depends. One of the reasons I have NEVER suggested a friend join SDMB is simply because not everything I post is for everyone I know. Some friends have totally other political positions - others don’t need to know about some past stories - sometimes I might mention someone they know, etc. So are they “secrets”? Not exactly - but some info is for close friends only, and sometimes those friends vary. Not sure if that makes sense, but sometimes is is nice to vent without having someone I know bring it up two weeks, or two years later in conversation. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/25 "2010-01-20T13:04:15Z")
I have very few secrets. That being said I have posted one which I prefixed with something along the lines of “until I press the “send” button, only myself and the other person involved have been the only people aware of this in the last 25 years.” ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/26 "2010-01-20T15:06:05Z")
Like others, I have said things here that haven’t necessarily come up in real life conversation, and some things that are not appropriate to blurt out in the middle of a conversation I have been quite open about here. However, my real secrets are just that. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/27 "2010-01-20T15:19:17Z")
Yes, I do. But then I usually feel bad that I’m keeping secrets so I tell whomever I wasn’t telling. I used to keep secrets all the time - which was why people were shocked when I left my abusive husband. People had no idea. So I tend to not be a very secretive person. ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/28 "2010-01-20T15:46:23Z")
Nnnnnnnope. Not only is it way too easy for people to connect my account here with my account in the real world (ha ha, so clever to think that up), I just haven’t found y’all very sympathetic or understanding. Or interested 😃 ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/29 "2010-01-20T16:08:09Z")
To add to mine: Normally, yes, I keep my secrets to myself and that includes the Dope. Why have I shared on rare occassion? Because it was crucial to the topic at hand. The aforementioned one I felt could best be tackled by someone who was in the situation I was in 25 years ago to give the best answer to the question (instead I was called out for doing what I did - last time I share a deep secret with you folks!) Would I have disclosed that particular information about my past if it was a RL conversation? Probably not (or at least not put it in the first person but rather using the time-honoured “a friend did” dodge), so in that sense secret-sharing strictly because it’s the Dope matches. ---
**Author:** ![melodyharmonius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/melodyharmonius/32/21310_2.png) [@melodyharmonius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/melodyharmonius)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/30 "2010-01-20T16:10:22Z")
yeah, to add to what \*\*dhkendall \*\*said, it’s a rare RL convo that makes for a platform to discuss some parts of my sexual history with my current SO. I talk about past history fairly easily in public - but y’know, current stuff is more inappropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Lanzy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/74df32/32.png) [@Lanzy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lanzy)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/31 "2010-01-20T16:27:37Z")
Just one. I’m a closet Atheist. I am convinced I would lose my job if everyone knew. ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/32 "2010-01-20T17:09:31Z")
Nope. I have an aunt and a close friend from high school on here. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/33 "2010-01-20T18:56:27Z")
None that I can think of. Anyone who knew me could pretty easily guess who I am by some of my posts (well that and the pic in my profile.) Also, what goes on a message board stays on the internet forever. ---
**Author:** ![Drunky\_Smurf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drunky_smurf/32/449_2.png) [@Drunky\_Smurf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Drunky_Smurf)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/34 "2010-01-20T19:44:57Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Just one. > > I’m a closet Atheist. I am convinced I would lose my job if everyone knew. Bob? Is that you? I think the boss might want to have a word with you. 😃 I have very few secrets and only you fine anonymous folks will ever know about that one time that sexy slutty tree seduced me. ---
**Author:** ![dhkendall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a9adbd/32.png) [@dhkendall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhkendall)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/35 "2010-01-20T20:42:43Z")
> [@Lanzy](#): > > Just one. > > I’m a closet Atheist. I am convinced I would lose my job if everyone knew. :eek: Where do you work, as the pastor of a church?? ---
**Author:** ![umop\_ap\_sdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/dbc845/32.png) [@umop\_ap\_sdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/umop_ap_sdn)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/36 "2010-01-20T22:30:47Z")
The bible belt? ---
**Author:** ![Autolycus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/22d042/32.png) [@Autolycus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Autolycus)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/37 "2010-01-20T22:32:01Z")
There’s nothing here that I haven’t told somebody offline at some point, but there are things here I definitely wouldn’t tell most people, so I guess the answer is yes and no. ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/38 "2010-01-20T23:28:12Z")
> [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](#): > > Oh, all the time. You guys are the only ones who know about me [REDACTED] that [REDACTED] in High School. And that [REDACTED] incident with [REDACTED] chicken in the [REDACTED] with the [REDACTED]/shark hybrid. Also when [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Dick Cheney [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]-hole. Do you work for the SCP Foundation or did you just get a hold of [DATA EXPUNGED]? ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/39 "2010-01-20T23:29:46Z")
Not really. Other people’s secrets, on the other hand. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2010, 11:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604/40 "2010-01-20T23:50:59Z")
> [@umop\_ap\_sdn](#): > > The bible belt? I live there, and am openly atheist and bisexual. Even here, most people don’t care much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-reveals-secrets-about-yourself-on-the-dope-that-you-dont-to-anybody-else/525604.md?page=3)