Callie said:
Is it really any different in real life?
Yes.
Often the decision(s) is/are easier in real life, because there's not
distance involved, generally speaking. If you meet Sally Mrs. Hotpants in the store and develop a crush for her, you're generally more able to pursue a relationship;
physically, emotionally, romantically, etc. Online you miss the physical aspect (and I don't just mean sex... being able to look into each other's eyes in person, smell, etc). And it's sometimes harder to reach each other when distance is involved.
So there's usually a confusion as to whether or not to pursue an online relationship... there's not enough information or experience with each other to give a good basis for a judgment call on if the relationship would last or not. I mean... you can LIKE or even LOVE someone as much as you want, but if there's no solidity to a possible relationship... then you're just setting yourself up for future pain.
Life isn't a romance movie where everything magically works out for the hero who fights against all hope. If you think a relationship may not work, then chances are it won't; if only just because you've already decided so in your heart.
*shrug*
Anyway, that's a jumbled way of saying YES there's a difference. lol
