# "I'm really a girl" (April 1st prank PM) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 1, 2015, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519 "2015-04-01T17:19:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/241 "2015-04-03T17:53:06Z")
> [@AnaMen](#): > > Maybe you don’t know where the “top” is? I used the phrase “pathetic plea for attention,” which it was. > > Don’t worry if you don’t understand this. You aren’t the audience that matters to me. If we don’t matter to you, why do you keep trying to convince us? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/242 "2015-04-03T18:04:43Z")
Some people were genuinely bothered to be suckered in by this. We can argue that it’s ridiculous, they are too thin-skinned, they should quit overreacting and just get over it…and it won’t make any difference. As someone said in the other thread, telling someone “this is how you should feel” has about a 0% success rate. And who cares why they were bothered. Maybe they really are overly sensitive. Maybe IT’s “admission” connected with them for some reason and they got more emotionally involved that you did. Maybe it brought back bad memories of being the target of cruel jokes in school. Whatever the reason, why it pointing and laughing at them necessary to the joke? These aren’t some nameless group we don’t know, it’s people on the board. It’s possible to appreciate the prank and find humor in it while also regretting that some people were hurt by it. I’m guessing that’s **Idle Thoughts’** feelings about it. It wasn’t the greatest joke in the world, but it wasn’t purposely cruel. Continuing to ridicule people who are, in your opinion, overreacting is maybe not exactly cruel, but I have to wonder - what are you getting out of it? ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/243 "2015-04-03T18:12:30Z")
I don’t like jokes/pranks which take advantage of the victim’s compassion. The gullible victim, after finding it was a joke, will be hardened to the situation next time. So then when the situation happens for real, the person will be distrustful and may not be as compassionate. I got this PM and thought it was odd, but I was going to respond as if it was real. I thought it could be a scam, but on the odd chance it was real I didn’t want to insult IT. Maybe he/she really did need someone to confide in. Even though it seemed odd, I was prepared to be supportive. But it was a joke. So now the next time some random person says they want to confide in me, I’m more likely to think it’s a prank and respond as such. (Actually, I’ll probably still respond with compassion just in case, even if I end up looking foolish in the end.). ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/244 "2015-04-03T18:14:29Z")
Not a damn thing out of it. Thank you for asking, but why do you care what I am getting out of it? I sure as hell don’t care what anybody else is getting out of it. ---
**Author:** ![AnaMen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dfb087/32.png) [@AnaMen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AnaMen)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/245 "2015-04-03T18:17:00Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > If we don’t matter to you, why do you keep trying to convince us? I’m not trying to convince anyone of anything by responding to your comments about and to me. You’re just random strangers that disagree. I talk to people I disagree with to attempt to glean insight into their thought process, not out of personal interest in their judgment of me. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/246 "2015-04-03T18:18:59Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Funny thing is, I freaked out when you told me to shut up in a pit thread, and yet even I didn’t overreact to this. I’m not sure which time you’re talking about, but since we’re in MPSIMS making nice, I’m sorry. I won’t tell you to shut up anymore. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/247 "2015-04-03T18:20:46Z")
> [@Sahirrnee](#): > > Not a damn thing out of it. > > Thank you for asking, but why do you care what I am getting out of it? > I sure as hell don’t care what anybody else is getting out of it. Just curiosity about people’s motivations for making fun of others. Seeing that you evidently do it for no reason, I’m not surprised you don’t care about anyone else’s. ---
**Author:** ![Brynda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e79b87/32.png) [@Brynda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brynda)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/248 "2015-04-03T18:42:37Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Some people were genuinely bothered to be suckered in by this. We can argue that it’s ridiculous, they are too thin-skinned, they should quit overreacting and just get over it…and it won’t make any difference. As someone said in the other thread, telling someone “this is how you should feel” has about a 0% success rate. > > And who cares why they were bothered. Maybe they really are overly sensitive. Maybe IT’s “admission” connected with them for some reason and they got more emotionally involved that you did. Maybe it brought back bad memories of being the target of cruel jokes in school. Whatever the reason, why it pointing and laughing at them necessary to the joke? These aren’t some nameless group we don’t know, it’s people on the board. > > It’s possible to appreciate the prank and find humor in it while also regretting that some people were hurt by it. I’m guessing that’s **Idle Thoughts’** feelings about it. It wasn’t the greatest joke in the world, but it wasn’t purposely cruel. Continuing to ridicule people who are, in your opinion, overreacting is maybe not exactly cruel, but I have to wonder - what are you getting out of it? What a wise post. In my opinion, pretty much anyone who chooses to hurt others, whether that is through ridicule or in other ways, is doing so out of their own pain. This is true whether they realize it or not. Most won’t, because their pain is hidden from them–that’s WHY it comes out as ridicule of others. I know in my own past, when I have been harsh and judgmental of others, it was because of my own insecurities. It’s a hard cycle to break. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/249 "2015-04-03T18:43:13Z")
Really? I’m not making fun of anybody I expressed my opinion nothing more nothing less and I said nothing more or less than anybody else expressed if you choose to read more into it or see things that aren’t there that isn’t my problem I don’t need to justify what I post to you or anybody else on this board and I’m not going to start now. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/250 "2015-04-03T18:56:23Z")
**Sahirrnee** , my first post wasn’t directed at you. The vast majority of people posting in this thread are enjoying the joke and not making fun of other posters, and that’s fine. I’m doing the same. There are a few who seemed to be getting more pleasure at the expense of others, and I was commenting on that. I didn’t mean to cast so wide a brush, so sorry for that. ---
**Author:** ![Sahirrnee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sahirrnee/32/13937_2.png) [@Sahirrnee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sahirrnee)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/251 "2015-04-03T19:08:56Z")
I was wondering what I said that was so damn offensive I was trying to lighten things up and point out in the overall scheme of things this is really not that serious and in general I don’t mean to be a bitch but the truth is if anything I post is that damn upsetting to anybody then they need to look to themselves why because I just ain’t that important ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/252 "2015-04-03T19:51:10Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Some people were genuinely bothered to be suckered in by this. We can argue that it’s ridiculous, they are too thin-skinned, they should quit overreacting and just get over it…and it won’t make any difference. As someone said in the other thread, telling someone “this is how you should feel” has about a 0% success rate. I have to ask here, but why? If a whole shit ton of people were telling me I was “too thin-skinned and overreacting,” I think my second inclination would be to see whatever was going on from a side other than the one I first considered. It’s happened to me online, hell, it’s happened here. It’s not the end of the world to be suckered in by someone. Way back in the day, I fell hook, line and sinker for the fake Kaitlin story. I might’ve felt the sting a bit, but I didn’t completely lose my mind over it. Instead, I wised up a bit by the time Umkay had rolled around. Nor did it make me lose my faith in humanity and their stories (or jokes) as a whole, evidenced by me still putting my support where my mouth (and occasionally, money) is with certain Dopers in need. So again, this utter hysteria is beyond me. No investment, hardly no time in between prank and revelation, an apology, a promise to never do it again and, finally, no way for the “victims” to have had to face anything (except internally, I suppose), seeing as how the posted responses were anonymous. Just bizarre. And on a side note, I agree with the poster(s) who opined that some are doing infinitely worse to **IT** then his goofy prank did to them. How ironic. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/253 "2015-04-03T20:20:02Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > I have to ask here, but why? If a whole shit ton of people were telling me I was “too thin-skinned and overreacting,” I think my second inclination would be to see whatever was going on from a side other than the one I first considered… I’m probably carrying over some of the crap from the ATMB thread where people were saying the best part of the joke was how it upset people. It rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t mean to cut off all discussion about people being overly sensitive (FTR, I agree they are). It was more the reveling in it yesterday that bothered me. Maybe that hasn’t been happening in this thread as much; the threads blend together in my head. But it’s also a bit of an exaggeration to talk about “utter hysteria” and people losing their mind over it. There were a few yesterday who went overboard, but most of the people here who didn’t like it are just expressing an opinion, not going off the rails. Most. > [@](#): > > And on a side note, I agree with the poster(s) who opined that some are doing infinitely worse to **IT** then his goofy prank did to them. How ironic. “Infinitely” worse? Your hyperbole is a billion times worse than what those posters are doing to **IT**. Seriously, **IT** hasn’t expressed great damage or trauma from what some people have said. Let him bring it up if it’s such a big deal. If you want to play a prank on people, you have to expect some blowback. ---
**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:** [April 3, 2015, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/254 "2015-04-03T20:35:08Z")
All the people who got this, I didn’t, just be glad the horror of this PM was not as bad as the one he sent out on Halloween. {shudder smiley} I’m still waiting for those socks. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [April 3, 2015, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/255 "2015-04-03T23:52:48Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I’m probably carrying over some of the crap from the ATMB thread where people were saying the best part of the joke was how it upset people. It rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t mean to cut off all discussion about people being overly sensitive (FTR, I agree they are). It was more the reveling in it yesterday that bothered me. Maybe that hasn’t been happening in this thread as much; the threads blend together in my head. > > But it’s also a bit of an exaggeration to talk about “utter hysteria” and people losing their mind over it. There were a few yesterday who went overboard, but most of the people here who didn’t like it are just expressing an opinion, not going off the rails. Most. > > “Infinitely” worse? Your hyperbole is a billion times worse than what those posters are doing to **IT**. Seriously, **IT** hasn’t expressed great damage or trauma from what some people have said. Let him bring it up if it’s such a big deal. If you want to play a prank on people, you have to expect some blowback. Well, I’ll certainly cop to hyperbole and an over use of adjectives, but my main point still stands. Calling for him to (paraphrasing) no longer have his mod title, shouldn’t be contacting folks via PM anymore, saying it was all for attention whoring and that as a results, some will, basically, never trust again, are infinitely worse. Comparatively speaking. And I do see that as “utter hysteria” for message board behavior. But, according to the other thread, some of those issues have been resolved by the participants. I suppose at this point the best anyone can hope for is that _something_ has been learned out of this fiasco. Time will only tell, until the next board outrage next week, what that’ll be. ---
**Author:** ![kayT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayt/32/3633_2.png) [@kayT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayT)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/256 "2015-04-04T00:12:17Z")
I guess my problem is that I find it difficult (or impossible) to believe that anyone is really actually hurt by IT’s prank. So I’m not really pointing and laughing, I’m just scratching my head in total amazement that anyone would react that way. Or keep going on and on about how bad it was. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/257 "2015-04-04T00:19:36Z")
I’m just disappointed that I didn’t get on the PM list, I’ve been a poster here for several years now and I still slip under the radar…sigh… Oh and for the record I really am female, the username is just a bluff. …maybe… ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/258 "2015-04-04T00:43:56Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > I’m just disappointed that I didn’t get on the PM list, I’ve been a poster here for several years now and I still slip under the radar…sigh… He was going to include you but threw you out? Well, you are _disposable_ after all. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Alex](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atomic_alex/32/175_2.png) [@Atomic\_Alex](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Alex)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/259 "2015-04-04T00:51:40Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > He was going to include you but threw you out? Well, you are _disposable_ after all. 😃 Dammit, you have a point! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heffalump_and_roo/32/7691_2.png) [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heffalump_and_Roo)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/260 "2015-04-04T01:51:49Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Well, I’ll certainly cop to hyperbole and an over use of adjectives, but my main point still stands. Calling for him to (paraphrasing) no longer have his mod title, shouldn’t be contacting folks via PM anymore, saying it was all for attention whoring and that as a results, some will, basically, never trust again, are infinitely worse. Comparatively speaking. And I do see that as “utter hysteria” for message board behavior. > > But, according to the other thread, some of those issues have been resolved by the participants. I suppose at this point the best anyone can hope for is that _something_ has been learned out of this fiasco. Time will only tell, until the next board outrage next week, what that’ll be. Do you remember a time when things weren’t going perfectly in your real life and something unexpected happened on the message board that struck you the wrong way? I sure do. To me, your lack of empathy for people’s responses is more baffling than their response. Not everyone responds the same way to things. People are in different places in their life and have had different experiences that impact their response. Since **Idle Thoughts** has already gracefully and successfully dealt with the issues, I’m not sure why you’re still questioning it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519.md?page=14)