# "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:** 14
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/261 "2015-04-04T03:11:51Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > 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. I sure do, which is why I’ve alluded to it elsewhere in all this stuff. And even though in my case I ended up in a really, really bad place, 1) it still had nothing ultimately to do with how bad _words on an computer screen_ were to me (which, incidentally, I brought on myself – because, yanno, I could’ve turned the damn thing off at any time and left it alone) and everything to do with myself, not others, 2) I was solely responsible for making myself look over-the-top and ridiculous, and 3) it taught me to have an even thicker skin online than I did already. Although in my couple of blind areas, that wasn’t nearly as much as it should’ve been. I’m grateful that I learned something from all that. Conclusion? With as harsh as some people have been over this, I find it interesting that you singled me out for your only post. What you said reminds me of a recent dust up over “cyber bullying” versus lying. People are so incredibly sensitive to things that some concepts have lost all meaning. However, I do have empathy and undoubtedly would’ve had more in this situation except for the extreme histrionics compared to offense ratio. But I’ve already detailed that, as I’m sure you know. 🙂 Lastly, I’m not questioning anything, but instead rather musing to the other folks still posting to this thread. Since **Idle** has so graciously and successfully dealt with this issue by apologizing and promising to never pull a similar stunt again, I’m not certain why they were laboring on either. You having not addressed them is purely an oversight, I’m sure. 🙂 🙂 🙂 ETA: I eagerly await your rebuttal. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/262 "2015-04-04T04:07:31Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Instead, I wised up a bit by the time Umkay had rolled around. \ ---
**Author:** ![dba\_Fred](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c37758/32.png) [@dba\_Fred](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dba_Fred)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/263 "2015-04-04T11:32:24Z")
I propose that henceforth, **Idle Thoughts** must go by **Idella Thoughts** ; and To audition for the lead in the local community theater’s production of _Victor/Victoria_, and Must only frequent unisex bathrooms. Lastly, to buy me a beer (cuz I’m almost out of beer). ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/264 "2015-04-04T18:07:42Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > To me, your lack of empathy for people’s responses is more baffling than their response. [http://assets.amuniversal.com/63eb7a20a42b0132cbc1005056a9545d](http://assets.amuniversal.com/63eb7a20a42b0132cbc1005056a9545d) ---
**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, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/265 "2015-04-04T19:17:09Z")
> [@FXMastermind](#): > > [http://assets.amuniversal.com/63eb7a20a42b0132cbc1005056a9545d](http://assets.amuniversal.com/63eb7a20a42b0132cbc1005056a9545d) Psst. Beat you to it in post 229. ---
**Author:** ![FXMastermind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fxmastermind/32/7289_2.png) [@FXMastermind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FXMastermind)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/266 "2015-04-04T19:18:27Z")
Who has time to read what other people say? ---
**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, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/267 "2015-04-04T19:19:46Z")
Heh. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/268 "2015-04-04T20:36:11Z")
> [@dba\_Fred](#): > > Lastly, to buy me a beer (cuz I’m almost out of beer). Now this I’m all for. So **Idle Thoughts** , I don’t care if you’re a boy or a girl, you fooled me: next time I’ll be in Arizona, you’ll buy me a beer (or better, a case)! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Enola\_Gay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/3ab097/32.png) [@Enola\_Gay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enola_Gay)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2015, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/269 "2015-04-04T21:13:57Z")
I would just like to express my sincere condolences to everyone whose tender feelings were hurt by getting fooled on April Fools Day. I hope and pray that you will learn to trust again. (((hugs))) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2015, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/270 "2015-04-05T01:00:18Z")
> [@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… > > Oh and for the record I really am female, the username is just a bluff. > > …maybe… I was a little disappointed too. But I believe he mentioned he selected those who were online at the time. Since I’m 13 or 14 hours ahead of him, there’s a good chance I was snoozing in bed at the time. ---
**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 5, 2015, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/271 "2015-04-05T01:07:31Z")
I’m in the same time zone as **Idle Thoughts** , but I wasn’t awake yet, so I didn’t get a PM. I’m a late sleeper. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [April 5, 2015, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/272 "2015-04-05T03:21:11Z")
Trust me, the last thing I want to do is to shake this hornet hive of a thread. But, I just think it’s important for me to relay to you what **Idle Thoughts** revealed to me in very strict confidence. She told me that the people she sent the IM’s to are the one’s she considers to be complete and utter dolts. …the ones she didn’t send an IM to, she just considers to be butt-heads. Progress Report: Update on my progress for _post **Idle Thoughts** IM stress syndrome_ treatment: They’ve got me on the big guns, now (Risperdal, Ambilify and Tea Tree Oil), as well as electroshock therapy and something new they call “anal reaming therapy.” So, don’t worry about me, I’m in good hands…and fingers. ---
**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 5, 2015, 8:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/273 "2015-04-05T08:14:04Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I was a little disappointed too. But I believe he mentioned he selected those who were online at the time. Since I’m 13 or 14 hours ahead of him, there’s a good chance I was snoozing in bed at the time. Ah OK, that does make me feel better, thanks! 🙂 (I think with all the hurt and upset feelings around here Idle Thoughts will never attempt an April Fools joke ever again lol ) ---
**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 5, 2015, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/274 "2015-04-05T08:48:05Z")
> [@Disposable Hero](#): > > Ah OK, that does make me feel better, thanks! 🙂 > > (I think with all the hurt and upset feelings around here Idle Thoughts will never attempt an April Fools joke ever again lol ) But it would hurt my feelings if he didn’t. 🙂 ---
**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 5, 2015, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/275 "2015-04-05T12:15:57Z")
> [@cochrane](#): > > But it would hurt my feelings if he didn’t. 🙂 Poor Idle, I’ll bet he didn’t expect all this when he clicked send! lol The two phases of April Fools jokes: [https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBig7\_rUgAEPHjv.png:large](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CBig7_rUgAEPHjv.png:large) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2015, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/276 "2015-04-06T14:51:53Z")
Remember that time when something pretty trivial happened, and everyone on the SDMB was able to respond calmly and with some sense of proportion? Me either. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/277 "2015-04-06T15:10:59Z")
I’m still getting at least one or two replies back a day…even today, I log in and there are two. I’ve been immediately replying to all of them since April 2nd that it was a April Fools prank, though. ---
**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 6, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/278 "2015-04-06T18:29:54Z")
> [@Heffalump\_and\_Roo](#): > > …I’m not sure why you’re still questioning it. Why are you questioning her questioning it? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/279 "2015-04-06T18:35:31Z")
> [@Drunky\_Smurf](#): > > Why are you questioning her questioning it? Why do you ask? Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2015, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519/280 "2015-04-06T18:47:34Z")
Well I feel dumb. I didn’t even notice I had a PM till today so I responded saying I would keep the secret. Ha. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-really-a-girl-april-1st-prank-pm/716519.md?page=15)