Why are there so many people posting in the forums who post pictures other than themselves ? Are they hiding from something/someone ? Most seem to be nice, intelligent people, so why do they want to hide their face ? Everyone says 'participate in the forums and get to know the people.' Animals and cartoon characters, etc., aren't people. And, if you check out their profile too many times, trying to see what the actual person you're replying to looks like, then they seem to think they're being stalked or some such thing. Just wondering.

Well for me,"chucky", ,I just love chucky, ,but I put my real pic up from time to time,I feel if someone doesn't have a real pic at all,or never change their animation ECT,you may be talking about them,I guess its just what some folks like,have you ever seen "Alf"? Maybe not but he's a really cool dude though,or cool "Alf"lol!!

its a good valid question.

For me it is a business requirement. We don't put our photos out there on internet sites... ever. At a certain business level, it is just not done as personal type information can be gathered by industry colleagues, competitors or business rivals to form a opinion, advantage or even possible slander

Same for Facebook and other social media type outlets.

Its a different world today in business, I have seen people passed over for promotions or not offered the job at all based on what was dug up on internet sites.

So for me.. and maybe others it is a business tactic, regardless of the site

When I get to the comfort point in a conversation the first thing I then send is my photo

Both are good reasons, and yes, Alf is a cool dude. How about some of you other posters ?

I post the ghost wolf for a reason. My other pictures are available if the lady is interested in my introductions on here. It takes a few minutes to look at them,or they look at the picture before reading the introductions their choice? Shows me their willingness and commitment in a possible relationship ! Unless you have hidden picture on here, viewers see how many you have and decide themselves on looking. Plus most are curious this adds mystery as well!

OP, if you go to account, then settings, you can switch to stealth mode. That way you can look at profiles without that person getting notification of it.

or in other words...you can stalk someone without them having a clue that you're doing it....just like i do to you, Crystal...lol...jes kiddin' around..

When I first came to Mingles, I posted a picture that my friends would not recognise....then when the scammers kept on coming at me, I hid behind a symbol (and even deactivated my account for a while)!

But even hiding behind that symbol did not deter the scammers....so, I came out of hiding and posted a picture of the real me!! I have been contemplating changing my picture to an anime or something that I can identify with, because I am getting more mails from people who I suspect are fakes/scammers.....if I do change my pic, that will be my main reason!

I will give you another opinion(just mine) You see a 59 year old man- the location where he lives from you ! There is where a scammer usually stops! You are then Evaluated for being stupid or not. With a tree,eyeball,flower,whatever your profile picture is the viewer reads your introductions first. Cyberspace is like the old ads in the newspaper but with a broader coverage (World Wide) advertisements of yourself!! Happy Hunting!

Hahaha, I love you too Argo!

hi adventureman,
when I first started here I had my picture and since then, I put it up from time to time.
I'm not all that, but it leads to people who don't want to take the time to know you. there was more unwanted persistence, especially from younger guys.
so now my profile has pictures ive taken myself, (except for the hummingbird, and that one has meaning for me). it's a plus that some will ask about the pics and it generates conversation.
having a non face picture also helps me see right from the first message which ones are liars. When they start off with stuff about my captivating smile, well it's obvious they didn't bother to look.
hope you find what you're seeking.

Thanks for the info, Crystal, but I have no need to hide myself from anyone. I understand and sympathize with the problems women must have on a site like this. Please don't misunderstand me, I have nothing against people using a picture other than one of themselves, I was just curious about the different reasons. I don't personally have the problem of being inundated with messages. Perhaps I'm a little more active and adventurous than women my age are looking for, but that's OK. If a woman isn't looking for someone like me then there is no reason for them to message me. :o)

I get too much mail if I put myself up..
... women find me repulsive.. they like to send me messages... telling me how hideous I am..

I let people here see me as my Melmacian self because the Men in Black gave me a way to participate on this website without the Alien Task Force being able to find me. Those two groups are adversaries, in case you didn't know.

My profile also has images of me wearing my human guise, because some Humans can't tolerate my natural Melmacian awesomeness.

By the way, this is how I look on my Green Card:

Well, it's either the real pic of me, currently set to main...
Cigarette smoking with a .45 calibre pistol in hand.
Or, a clown with blood stained hands.

Well, I kinda figure I can do what I want with my pics. The trolls will find me anyway. These pics are stamped with M2 logo, so I'm not worried about whom would want to steal my ugly mugg for Photoshopping~ it's already been done to me. I'm not looking anymore for a match, so it doesn't matter to me. People can think whatever they will, it doesn't bother me.

This is really me, however.

blondey, in the US, ISP's are required by law to keep backups of server hard drives for 90 days. Google has some pages cached for a looong time. Ya know, they work nicely hand n hand with the NSA and "collect it all"....they never delete any info from google...

Not long prolly, just another index from Google and I suspect they're gone ..

You are beautiful.

awwww, thank you handsome.