What's Behind Your Screen Name?

Let's face it, screen names can reveal a great deal about ourselves. The names we choose are often a reflection of who we'd like to be, or who we are. For some of us, choosing a screen name for our online personas is almost like choosing an email address. It can be hard.

There are several networking sites that I use faithfully and some that I had forgotten about, and when I happen upon those forgotten ones, I am often at a loss for what I see when I read profiles and screen names. Not only are the screen names overtly sexual, but the pictures are oftentimes worse. If you read the captions or the about me sections, you'll often run into statements like, "I am a professional (insert profession here) ___________________, seeking like minded people. Not into games, (and here is my personal favorite) I love the Lord and the Church, etc..." However, every photograph posted neither depicts professionalism, in fact they are quite the opposite. Every photograph reveals more than one would in a courtroom, or a church.

I have a conceptual issue with a grown woman calling herself a "Princess" I don't know there is something a little odd about that. The continuous use of the word "Sex" in screen names baffles me as well. Some of these networking sites have email, that people give out like candy to their fellow friends and coworkers. Imagine you're a lawyer with the screen name "Sexual Chocolate Fantasy" and you run into an old colleague. Most people would opt to give out their networking email address rather than their email address for some reason. To me it would be hard to take you serious if you tell me you're a Bankruptcy Lawyer and you ask me to contact you about my questions yet you ask me to email "Sexual Chocolate Fantasy." I may have to question your integrity for that matter and wonder if my case would even be handled properly.

"Diva" and "Platinum" before and after screen names always drive me crazy! Something about those names seems highly overrated. There is one particular networking site that I absolutely get kicks from because those names are used quite frequently. Not only does the site remind me of a "Ghetto Myspace," but the people in there are so typical. The site and people alone seem "drama laden." The reason I have an account in there is because of my older sister. She likes it in there and it is a way to keep up with her, however, I have been opting to use email more often than the site itself.

I have seen more half naked women in that site alone than I care to. I'll take that back...I have seen more half naked "big beautiful women" than I care to. Ok wait, I'll take that back too. I have seen more half naked, big beautiful, God loving, church going women than I care to! And on another note, I have seen more "God fearing, Christian loving, looking for my sanctified woman to create life everlasting," than I care to see. Wait! They even state that questionable profiles and nudity are not allowed, but the women in their friends list are all half naked and in EXTREME seductive poses. I guess it is that "hoe into a housewife" syndrome. Read their bios and the first thing that is mentioned is their love of God, followed by, "I need a freak!"

Those are usually the accounts with screen names like, "Big ________(fill in blank)," "GodMan4You," "GoodMan," "Sexy Chocolate" and their captions read: "I have everything you need. Fulfill your desires. I am your destiny, (etc)"
Sometimes I cringe when I receive mail from that site. I cringe when I see the screen name and the first line. I know you're wondering why, but I guess I have another conceptual issue with the use of the name, "Boo" Stop calling me "Boo!"
I am neither a "Boo" a "Baby" or a "Princess" and it annoys me immensely to be called these things. Like being called a "cutie." What in the hell is a "cutie?" It sounds so close to "booty" that my skin crawls.

So what's behind my screen name(s)? Me. I opt for my fashionable: IAmCynthia, because I Am Cynthia and I am pleased to meet you. Sometimes I just drop "IAm" altogether and use "Cynthia." In either respect, I can tell you I am a doctor, lawyer, musician, electrician, politican, and you would probably believe me because I have no "SEX,DIVA,PLATINUM,FREAK" behind that to dispel that myth. I do however believe in keeping things real. I am not a doctor, lawyer, musician, electrician or politician. I am me, and that I do not need to hide behind.

So what is behind your screen name?