"For most of history, Anonymous was a woman." (Or: Who is the man behind the mask?)

I so far answered only 2 questions that were anonymous.others I didn't care because nobody knows me, nobody knows my name and nobody knows what I look like well maybe like 3 people on this site.but I agree with annwyl-cariad with everything that she has mentioned.maybe that person doesn't like me for no odd reason, or doesn't like what I write - I mean everybody has their own opinions so why should you care of what I think.but then others can teach you something besides what you think.(makes sense?) I answered one question anonymous only because I answered something sexually which referred to me also, I was embarrassed, the other one was because I know who that person is so I answered anonymous so he wouldn't know me. And also I had the same situation as annwyl-cariad there were people who messaged and me and asked how would you know something so sexual if your a virgin? why would I not know. I live in one of the most active cities in the world and all we do is take about sex . plus it isn't so hard not to understand relationships if you go by your instincts and especially where you have very very active friends in the sex department. But other than that I don't feel like answering anonymous although those who have been on this site know me well enough to know my answers I still don't want to answer anonymous but yet in the future if another embarrassing question comes up that refers to me then I guess I will!

Just "because" I guess. Sometimes we're shy even in front of people we don't know. :)

Even on the internet you develop a reputation. Like you say, no one on this site probably knows the name and the face behind this little avatar, but especially since I spend a lot of time on this site, people here know Annwyl_cariad. Basically, for me, when you're on a site for a long time and develop a reputation, you have more incentive to ask or answer things anonymously.

I've gotten crap from people on occasion when I answer questions because they look at other answers I've given and say, "Whoa, she's a virgin, therefore what she says about sex can't be valid. " The truth is, just because I haven't had sex myself doesn't mean that I know nothing about it; heck, I live on a large urban college campus where not only are many of my friends having sex, but I hear things like two girls I don't know sitting next to me in the park talking about blow job technique (actual occurrence). This sometimes will lead me to answer anonymously.

Also, if I know a user doesn't like me, I might answer his or her questions anonymously so that my opinions might at least be considered before being written off as one of Annwyl's answers. Because the truth is that even on the internet, there's not full anonymity when you attach a name to your words. Relationships, both good and bad ones, form between users.

The only time I ask anonymously is when I feel that the question contains personally identifying information that could link a person who knows me in real life with the account (a problem as I've still got one foot in the closet).

Personally, I think its because you can, people like options even if there stupid to some or don't make sense. People like choices, it's just like the "select best answer" option I mean why is it there? Or any of these options? Because people like to feel that they have some control over things and options give the illusion, just like the little antennas on cell phones, people think they really work, like they can control there reception LOL, its all an illusion, that is control. Maybe a little deep. Just my thoughts.

Used only when a user name might cause the advice to be ignored. Thus used rarely. If you don't want to be known for saying something ... then don't say it.

Some people have a lot of pictures of themselves on their profiles; that makes asking a question a little personal, even if other people don't know who they are they can still see who you are. Also, if you have a friend uses this site too and knows your profile name, they could see a potentially embarrassing question you posted. Something you may not want.

I agree though. There is a rampant excess of anonymous questions lately.

I think that people understand that the true essence of this site is to have perfectly honest answers (as deplorable as they may be sometimes) so that everyone can get a true reading of how other people view their issue. To many, this means that they will be saying things that they don't normally like to admit (maybe it will involve a blunt answer about being a drug user, or reveal that they're actually very sexually aggressive, etc. ). It's not that there is anything necessarily wrong with those things, but in "real life", it's probably not how they portray themselves, as there is often a societal stigma that comes along with them. As a result, they probably have a hard time admitting to themselves that they have those traits. By answering anonymously online, I don't think they're protecting themselves from the judgment of others; I think they're protecting themselves from the realization of admitting these things to themselves. Which, honestly, is much harder than being judged by others.

Well. I think sometimes it's just easier to ask a question anonymously. Even tho you are on the internet you are still part of a community. People will still judge you and your character. People may form relationships with others and have biased answers. I think that all the examples you listed are a good reason why people may ask or answer questions anonymously.

But again. I also understand that if a person always asks/answers questions anonymously they are giving up the right to define themselves. That is the main reason I try not to ask/answer too many questions anonymously.

I've answered some questions anonymously and have gotten a lot of nice comments. It does bother me a little that people might not know who the mystery man was, but then again ,as long as the comments help the other person does it really matter?