2. misc-audio
  3. 1220309446

First name basis?

Is there a general rule regarding how you should address someone online for the first time?

I prefer to look thru people's feedback to see if their name is mentioned, believing it's more courteous than addressing someone by their username.
I've found however, that some people will still sign off a message back to me with their username.

Am I commiting some type of online faux pas?
mr_man
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
I'm gonna go with boring, stuffy, etiquette. Follow the addressee's lead. IOW, if you are responding to a forum post that only has a moniker, use the moniker until/if the person gives you his or her name' then use that. So I'd respond to the posts above, in sequential order:
John
J.K.
Dan
Duke
Bob
GS5556
Trelja
and finally
Newbee.

Just my $0.02.
mr_man OP
72 posts
 
I don't use another's first name until intial contact has been made.

Essentially what I was wondering, that some might consider it too personal right off the bat.
Not a major issue, just want to be sure I'm appropriate in my correspondence.

Thanks everyone for the input!

P.S. -Listen Joey, I just need a bit more time see... I'll get your money.....oh no, not the kneecaps!!
unsound
7,358 posts
 
I have chosen an alias rather than a proper name as my user name for a reason. I do not release my proper name until an actual sale is agreed upon, or in very rare instances, when a personal relationship has developed. I would hope that others would respect my privacy, and not use my proper name in a public forum without my explicit permission.
Post removed 
More to discover