Would you ever post the contents of a private message?

[LabRat]

I have stayed out of this till now. I agree with LJ's definition of a PM.

Originally Posted by lumberjim

it's called a PRIVATE message because it is sent to one person and and not posted on a bulletin board. As I said, confidentiality should not be assumed.

I don't PM much, but when I do, it's because I want to say something specifically to a single person. I make no assumptions about them keeping it private from the rest of the board.

As if I was at a party (just can't get away from this analogy) and was talking quietly in a corner with someone. If I didn't want them to repeat what I was about to say, then I wouldn't say it in the first place.

That being said, I wouldn't blab to any third parties about what I have been chatting with a person. I figure, if they wanted that third person to know, they'd tell them themselves. It's not my place to do so. There are a few exceptions, like if I am honestly worried about the well being of someone.

[Spexxvet]

Originally Posted by LabRat

I don't PM much, but when I do, it's because I want to say something specifically to a single person. I make no assumptions about them keeping it private from the rest of the board.

As if I was at a party (just can't get away from this analogy) and was talking quietly in a corner with someone. If I didn't want them to repeat what I was about to say, then I wouldn't say it in the first place.

That being said, I wouldn't blab to any third parties about what I have been chatting with a person. I figure, if they wanted that third person to know, they'd tell them themselves. It's not my place to do so. There are a few exceptions, like if I am honestly worried about the well being of someone.

How about if the someone took you into a seperate room, with the sign "this room is for private communications" over the door. You know, the one down the hall, next to the bathroom. Would you then keep your conversation confidential?