Well, first of all.... I don't find it easy to throw away online friends at all.

I've met some WONDERFUL people online, I'd collect them all and hold them close forever and ever if I could. You included :)

Secondly, I think it's easier to make friends online because you don't have the pressure of someone looking at you and judging you. Some people take advantage of that, and pretend to be someone they are not. It's a damn shame.

The online 'experience' is vastly different from 'real life' The dynamics are totally different. "Things' are bound to work differently.

Yes I find ieasier to make on line friends better then in real life. Real life I never get out or put myself forward to make new friends, then I usually don't follow p. On here friend are on my terms, I guess it is not nice to say but you don't have the guilt of not returning am email...

For me, It is much easier making RL friends, and engaging with them in conversations, laughter, joy, trauma etc, then on the computer.

I like the sense of ...... searching..... a complete developed human being with good days, bad days, life stories that take time to get to know, I like to know their histories, their families, etc.

If I only have a few real friends like this, then I am extremely grateful, which I am.

online friends become friends, but for me personally, there is an added element of paranoia which I don't experience in real life.
Is he/she real, are they making fun of me etc.

It's very hard to read everything in black and white, without tone, or body language or touching or laughing etc.

so, if it is harder to become more intimate as friends go, then it is also to become less intimate quickly, or less invested quickly, where as in RL this doesn't happen as much.

I find I have more online friends that I really don't know at all, and just a few very very good friends in RL who I have long histories with.
Also, because of my online friendships, I am learning to be more intimate with my RL friendships, which is nice.

I hope this made sense to you.
If not, send it back and I will try again. :)

I have a very difficult time "throwing away friends" here and here. People can be so disappointing. Friendship and love isn't easy. Hang in there (much easier said than done).

i do not throw away friends. i think making friends online is easier because the face value of expression and ntonation of voice are not involved.

It is strange for me.....I know alot of people but I have very very few friends. It doesn't seem to matter whether it is in person or online but I seem to like my online friends a bit more than the in person ones...no pretenses...I am who I am with them and I don't have to fix my hair or put on makeup either...so much more relaxed and comfortable.

Good question..and post..thanks