Just watched Catfish: The TV Show Season 4 Episode 7 and it got me thinking to blog down my blab about this whole thing about catfish.
What is this "catfish" thing?
This "catfish" phenomenon is not really a new thing. Its been happening ever since the booming of internet, started with ICQ up to the spread of social medias.
Nev Schulman's journey on Catfish: The Movie though, probably the first to be filmed and publicly aired.
Being hooked up with the internet since early 2000's, I have ventured around hundreds if not thousands of websites, including the infamous mIRC (even got Op-ed up in some international chatrooms), so naturally I've stumbled upon these kind of thing.
After Catfish: The Movie came out, now its a well known and accepted word to refers to them.
Back in the day, there wasn't any specific name to call them, we either call them "gold diggers", "maneaters", or simply,"trolls".
We call them "maneater" not because the catfish are females, they could also be a man pretending to be a female to catfishing on other men, although I dare to say 7 out of 10 catfish are females.
Why females?
See, I didn't meant to be such gender-insensitive, but I've known quite a handful of catfishes and most of them are females. And since I am also a female, I guess they kind of "opened up" to me.
What's their reason to catfish?
Well, based on my personal experience and from watching 3 seasons of Catfish: The TV Show, there are 3 main reasons why someone goes catfishing:
1. Money
Yep! The classic reason for almost every crimes. The catfish would often lured their prey/s into giving them money or buying them stuff even pay for their bills. Not really surprising though, cause most of us are gullible, especially when there are "feelings" involved, we tend to defy logic and goes with what our "heart" tells.
2. Loneliness
Human are social creatures. By all means, we have the needs to connect/socialize with other humans either IRL or on the net. Thus, some catfish may not after materials purpose instead they just want someone to talk to. Even though they often use fake fronts to do so. Which is sad but also understandable. They're so eager to be "accepted" even if its just their alter-persona.
3. Revenge
Unbelievable as it seems, people would do anything to get revenge.
Still, those reasons were rarely stands alone and definitely not an excuse to catfish.
How come there are males catfishing as a female? Is it even a real thing?
Although personally I only knew 1 guy who disguised as a girl and hook up with other guys for "fun", but it is a real deal. I don't think there are any men that would turn out the opportunity to "meet" a girl, especially when this "girl" put up some sexy and mostly revealing pictures on their profile.
This reasoning also applies for girls. Take it from a so-so looking girl as myself, if there's a good looking guy "hit me up" on Twitter or Facebook, I would most likely respond to him, just because. *facepaws*
How to distinguish a real person and a catfish?
Its kind of tricky but there are some points that should raise a red flag, such as :
1. Picture
If they're using celebrity pictures, its definitely a fake profile lol.
If they only have 1 picture of a good looking person in (mostly) super seductive pose, its also a fake.
If they have more than one picture but all of it are just them alone or looking too professional (like headshots or looking professionally photoshopped), its most likely a fake.
Avoid any profiles with no pictures of a full human features (i.e.: they only have pictures of certain area of a body; only have pictures of cars, houses, pets, flowers/ foods or random scenery)
2. About Me column
Be on guard if they say they're a model/ singer/ actor/ producer/ CEO.
Be cautious if they listed their income more than 300K a year.
Just be logical here, most people with those occupation and income wont send message to random people.
3. The whole nature of their profile
They put up a picture of a fine looking guy/girl but most of their post and comments are written in another character/ language (say, a profile with a picture of a white guy but their post are written in Thai's), that should be up for question. Of course there are chances a white guy able to speak/write in other languages but you should really think carefully of it.
4. They refuse to do videocall/ facetime
Mmkay... not everyone have a camera/ smartphone/ hi-speed internet connection, but if they even dare to say they dont have a low-end cellphone and yet their profile is very much active ... *snaps fingers*
How to avoid being catfished?
1. Be cautious
If you've seen the signs, dont ignore it.
2. Be aware
Best not to get emotionally attached with someone you've never met IRL.
3. Be cool
Dont fall head over heels right away just because they have a very good looking pictures.
But even after all been said and done, there is no precise way to call out a catfish.
A catfish comes in many shapes and shades.
All we do is just being cautious without judging
...and probably be prepared to get catfished, because it is real and can happen to anyone.
That all for now.
*rawr*
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