Online Deception: Catfish: The TV Show
Against my better judgment, I found myself sucked in to reality tv’s latest offering on MTV:
Catfish: The TV Show. The show originated from the documentary film, Catfish, about a guy who meets a woman online and falls for her, only to discover it was a all a hoax.
You would think with all of our daily use of technology, smart phones, video chats, etc. that it would be challenging to pretend to be somebody else. Sadly, the show seems to feature people who are really trusting, a little technologically challenging, and maybe a little gullible.
I couldn’t help but feel bad for the people who were faced with the revelation that the person who they grew to care for was either non-existent or misrepresenting themselves. How do you get past that kind of deception?
Have you ever experienced any Catfish situations online? Has anyone ever pretended to be someone else? If we continue to meet and interact online, what are tips we can use to navigate the shady and untrustworthy people?
By Wise Diva, Misadventures in Atlanta Dating Blog.
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235 comments Add your comment
Leggs
December 6th, 2012
2:30 pm
“…what if all three dates occur in the same day.” Breakfast, lunch, and dinner – if you didn’t drive over to have breakfast, perhaps sex already occurred and now it’s simply time to eat before round 2…
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
2:30 pm
Oh okay, you know how people are always saying you have to get out, their not going to come to your, door. How do you know it want be the cable guy, or the ups man. When it comes to meeting people, you can never rule out anything.
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
2:30 pm
Leggs I was thinking the same thing (LOL)
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
2:33 pm
Black, you know how some are about society, they need the validation that it’s okay with everyone else. Just like the stigma of online dating two people would meet, fall in love and get married, but lie about how they meet because of how it would be perceived.
Blackfoote: The Real Blackfoote
December 6th, 2012
2:34 pm
Single I was about ask was it still Wednesday for you?
Blackfoote: The Real Blackfoote
December 6th, 2012
2:36 pm
LOL……..@Leggs very conceivable.
LOL……..@Single
halo46
December 6th, 2012
2:37 pm
Black, I don’t really have dating rules. I like what I like. But the last person I would ask about dating advice is a 20 something year old. They are having babies just to keep a man. At 20 something i wanted a career, and having babies was the last thing from my mind.
halo46
December 6th, 2012
2:39 pm
What did Sheree say, ‘I got 99 problems, and a man ain’t one them’. lol Classic!!!
halo46
December 6th, 2012
2:40 pm
one of them’
Sassy Me...Exhaling ;-)
December 6th, 2012
2:42 pm
Dating rules, list, and crystal balls where do this stuff come from, anybody thought about using their mind.
Nah, that’d be too much like right…plus the microwave mentality won’t allow it for some.
Blackfoote: The Real Blackfoote
December 6th, 2012
2:43 pm
That’s to good to hear halo, cause that’s what we all should do just like what we like. There’s too many variables to list through and when you do you still end up with an imperfect person male or female. That was the plan from the day we sat foot on earth.
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
2:44 pm
When u are up and about you don’t know a man’s status?
@Halo…if u knew u wld do what? Flash or moon him?
Wouldnt the men disclose their status if they were to talk to u? Or lie but still
So(trying to prove my theory here) your issue is failure to connect offline?
@Halo?
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
2:46 pm
Or wait u answered that already
Celisea
December 6th, 2012
2:48 pm
What’s groovy in here? Did Thunderous Thursday segue into Fantabulous Friday?
I haven’t met personally anyone that’s been successful with online date. But then too, I don’t really know anyone that dabbles into that. Not folks in my circle or folks I know. Wait, I should say…folks have disclosed. Could very well be and I just don’t know it.
Blackfoote: The Real Blackfoote
December 6th, 2012
2:48 pm
“plus the microwave mentality won’t allow it for some.”
Now that is funny Sassy………..LOL
halo46
December 6th, 2012
2:50 pm
Yes, Ex, my issue is failure to connect offline. If I saw a gentleman whom I was attracted to and I he was single and employed, then I would at least say something clever or even hello. But when I see men that I find attractive, either they are not attracted to me, assume I have a man, or they are married. I go to the gym alot, go running and exercising. I see guys looking but they don’t approach too often. And if they do, they seem awkward.
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
2:55 pm
There u have it Single!
Thank you Halo
cracking up Lol
Blackfoote: The Real Blackfoote
December 6th, 2012
2:55 pm
halo you’re probably so fine they get choked up and lose their thoughts.
Robert
December 6th, 2012
2:56 pm
@Halo46 & Bluzgirl –
I have the perfect solution for your online dating challenges. Allow me to show you how to maximize your online dating experiences.
Willie Dynamite
December 6th, 2012
2:57 pm
Afternoon all,
Topic- I’m sure it has changed but I’ll comment on it anyway. I haven’t seen an actual episode but the wifey was explaining the premise to me. I get how you can be somewhat attracted to an online persona. What I don’t get is how you can put so much emotional weight into it before you actually meet that it’s considered love/heartbreak. I just don’t understand that.
Blackfoote: The Real Blackfoote
December 6th, 2012
2:57 pm
That’s normal for men, even though it’s unspoken.
Leggs
December 6th, 2012
2:59 pm
Celisea ~ I’ve met a few that are now getting married. It works for some and remains a dark hole for others.
disco
December 6th, 2012
3:00 pm
WD – I think that kind of caught up is prone to happen to folks who are in love with the idea of being in love. generally it doesn’t take much for that type of individual.
Leggs
December 6th, 2012
3:00 pm
“What I don’t get is how you can put so much emotional weight into it before you actually meet that it’s considered love/heartbreak. I just don’t understand that.” – Same here, WillieD.
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:00 pm
Meeting online took over the stigma that meeting in the bar, or the club used to have. Lets just go back to arranged marriages and forget the whole dating scene!
disco
December 6th, 2012
3:01 pm
I know folks who met online and married. I know folks who screwed on the first date and later married. I know a chick who bought a new house with her hubs, divorced her hubs and married the next door neighbor. everyone has a story.
halo46
December 6th, 2012
3:02 pm
Robert, I’m good.
Ex, that’s not the problem. Although it may be for the nerdy types.
ALL: I am outta here, the office gets an early day today. If I don’t say it later, Merry Christmas to you all. You guys have been very entertaining this year, forthcoming and I’ve learned some valuable lessons from your experiences. Peace.
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:02 pm
Willie, do you understand how someone can meet and in 3 weeks be married, or even six months?
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:04 pm
peace halo
Celisea
December 6th, 2012
3:04 pm
Leggs – Cool. I have yet to meet someone. But it could be the case where folks are ashamed to admit it.
I wonder if the stigma will ever be removed
Bluzgirl
December 6th, 2012
3:06 pm
My brother met his now ex wife online and she lied to her family the whole time about how they met. Unfortunately, she turned out to be crazy. The only good thing that came out of that is my wonderful nephew!
One of my old friends married a dude she met online and I didn’t like or trust him from the beginning. He was very controlling, but she was the type that would do anything for love. It hurt our close friendship. He didn’t want her to hang out with me because of the wild times we had together when we were both single.
I’ve also met people who were perfectly happy meeting their mate online. I’m not against it, but I’m just skeptical.
I reconnected with Psycho in Seattle over Facebook (didn’t realize how psycho he was). We fell in “love” while talking, skyping, emailing. I visited him twice. Then…his true crazy came out and he was emotionally abusive to me…
Celisea
December 6th, 2012
3:07 pm
I will say (at one time but no more to my surprise), I’ve seen over the last few years folks “get it” early and things work out. I think we’re in the time of this kind of stuff. I’m just an old fuddy duddy. I can’t really get with the “quick” love or the internet thingy
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
3:07 pm
Wait,Willie said ‘love/heartbreak’ meaning the person is already consumed and deeply invested in the other person before the meet.
It takes a ’special’ kind of mind to be worked like that.
I mean that negatively!
Willie Dynamite
December 6th, 2012
3:08 pm
Disco- I guess you right. Sad to me though. Shiiid use to I would trade even the thought of love in for a pack of now n laters.
SH – 6 mos maybe-maybe but even that is a stretch. I don’t have that kinda faith or trust in me.
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
3:10 pm
Bluz?
Did u meet him here,offline before going to Seattle?
….I’m feeling very fatherly,scared and shaking before u answer?
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:11 pm
Ex that’s the same kind of mind that meets someone today and they’re living together next week
Leggs
December 6th, 2012
3:12 pm
I wonder if the stigma will ever be removed – I don’t think the stigma is as strong as it used to be. It’s not uncommon for a couple to have met online anymore.
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:13 pm
Willie, it’s going to take me a year just to get to maybe being in love with someone.
Bluzgirl
December 6th, 2012
3:14 pm
Ex – we had met in person here many years ago. We developed a little bit of a long distance friendship for a while when he lived in Louisiana. We somehow lost touch. Got on FB and found each other and started talking a lot. We would stay on the phone for 7-8 hours. I’m glad I went to Seattle, but found out later that it could have gone the other way. After we broke up, his ex contacted me and said he was physically abusive to her. I was glad when I moved out of the apt I was in while we were together because I was afraid he would come to Atlanta and seek me out…
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:17 pm
Leggs the stigma comes in when you have folks calling them losers, or they’re adamantly against anyone meeting online, just like any other stigma. when you’re around open minded people, it’s not there. When people meet online everyone automatically assumes dating sites, when in actuality it could be a site just like this one.
DuShawn
December 6th, 2012
3:19 pm
I think its easier to meet people in person than it is online. It requires too much typing. I just met a bad chick at subway. All I did was held the door as she entered and said wuzzup. I must see at least 5 beautiful women daily. You can’t avoid them in Atlanta.
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
3:21 pm
Well now that’s kinda different Bluz coz u kinda knew dude somewhat altho still…after a couple of years,jail time,parole,folks become a different kinda animal.
U still young for that kinda desperation of dick traveling.
If u kinda fat Bluz admit to urself and just run on the regular. It’s cheap but good for your wellbeing
Get trim and leaner.
Self esteem shoots up
Dudes will follow
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:22 pm
Du, you meet a “chick” by saying “wuzzup” hmmm (LOL)
Bluzgirl
December 6th, 2012
3:24 pm
It was not desperation. I thought I loved him and was going to marry him one day. I was considering moving out there. So glad I didn’t because he got crazy.
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:24 pm
So ex, skinny women don’t have self esteem problems??
Leggs
December 6th, 2012
3:24 pm
Single ~ you’re right, the stigma comes from others degrading the concept of actually finding love online. There are far too many stories of being scammed, used, lied to, etc. than there are stories of love, nice way to connect. Another stigma is lonely, desperate, easily duped people are online!
Celisea
December 6th, 2012
3:28 pm
s/n: Me and my mommie are watching a pretty good movie Toe to Toe
Single and Happy Thunderous Thursday
December 6th, 2012
3:30 pm
Leggs, but people get scammed used, lied to all the time that don’t meet online. but that’s not big news.
Leggs
December 6th, 2012
3:33 pm
Single, yeah, only big news cuz its online and people should know better. Now, for the same thing to happen to someone offline is met with “oh well, that’s the way the world turns.”
Exiled!
December 6th, 2012
3:33 pm
Skinny women?
@Simple…some do but I didn’t ask Bluz to be skinny. I advised her to be leaner if she has extra extra fat issues.
Fat women usually have self esteem issues.
and dates become a challenge coz most men want some lean cleavage on their arm…
but big women are really nice a lot of times tho