Men Who Use Shirtless Pictures Of Themselves as Avatars

[derekwong28]

I can see that more and more male members are using shirtless pictures of themselves as avatars in this and other forums. I have seen complaints about this issue in other forums and am interested in what people think about this here. What I am particularly interested in would be

1. Do ladies feel turn on when they see a male member shirtless here?

2. Would you be more or less inclined to do business with that member?

3. Are there any WF male members you would like to see shirtless?

Derek

[CDarklock]

1. It's not ladies who tend to be turned on by shirtless men. They're probably after another audience.

2. That depends. Are they in the fitness or muscle building niche? Do they look like they know what they're talking about?

3. I'll bet Wordpro looks nice shirtless.

[dave830]

Originally Posted by derekwong28

3. Are there any WF male members you would like to see shirtless?
Derek

Do I sense a "Men of the Warrior Forum" calendar coming out soon....?

[Mac the Knife]

Well...put it this way...folks do FAVOR or DAMAGE to themselves by how them choose to represent. If they think shirtless is the way to go, I would venture a guess that MOST would find that unprofessional and it would reflect negatively. However, look at me...many think I am stuffy because I have a tie on...SOOOO...I guess the happy medium lies somehwhere in the middle. Another thought is...as a parent, I would NEVER use a picture of my child as an avatar...WAAAAAYYYY too many crazy people on the net and why give them fodder and put their pic out there for them? The point is...I would say this topic is as subjective as any other...personally, I will ONLY go shirtless on my fitness niche site...and that is for MONEY....;-)

Mac the Knife

[Alexa Smith]

Originally Posted by derekwong28

I have seen complaints about this issue in other forums

Those must be made by people with a real determination to find something to complain about, I guess? (What business is it of theirs the image that others choose to portray in their own avatars?)

Originally Posted by derekwong28

1. Do ladies feel turn on when they see a male member shirtless here?

I haven't noticed enough to comment, but I think probably not.

Originally Posted by derekwong28

2. Would you be more or less inclined to do business with that member?

Unsure - I might possibly be more likely to notice them in the first place, I admit, which I suppose might increase the chance? I wouldn't be "unwilling" to do business with them because I considered their avatar "unsuitable", anyway, which I think is what you're driving at?

Originally Posted by derekwong28

3. Are there any WF male members you would like to see shirtless?

Yes, probably, but it's not something to which I've given enough thought to specify which (either that or I'm being very discreet).

[Gregg Montgomery]

Shirtless online, hell I dont like to good shirtless in the bath.

[Sylvia Meier]

See I think the avatar is a personal thing so I really don't sway either way. I mean some may see my avatar with my daughter as being unprofessional and choose not to do business with me because of it. Others may be turned off by the guy in the suit avatar, thinking they are too much of a stiff or something and not do business with that guy. You can't please everyone, and I think the avatar should simply represent you and your business, and no matter what you put up (including no avatar) you are going to win and lose followers and potential buyers/JV ops because of it.

JMO
Sylvia

[KimW]

HHmmm,
I know this isn't related to the original topic,well,then again it might be considered to be topless, but my avatar (which has been shrunk so it may be hard to make out) is a skeleton riding a skeleton of a horse and the caption says"beating a dead horse"
So I wonder how many would not JV with me because of that.

[Shana_Adam]

Okay if you're really serious about your business you wouldn't be causing distractions, your reputation is at stake. When I want to buy a serious tool no pun intended I'm not looking at somebody's body I want a piece of software that will do the job.

I guess it depends on how important your reputation is to you for example do you see Richard Branson in his underwear advertising his product no you don't because they have a certain sense of self-respect.

Okay this is the most important tip I can give you your self are a brand don't jeopardize it

[Michael Motley]

I've only seen a couple guys with shirtless avatars. Didnt have much affect on me, but for a truly scientific comparision, we need to have a couple ladies put a shirtless avatar up to see if there is any effect.

I'll wait.

[KimW]

Michael, put your shirt back on.

[Michael Motley]

dammit...i was sitting here with my shirt off, 70's porn music in the background (bow chica bow bow)

[derekwong28]

Originally Posted by Shana_Adam

I guess it depends on how important your reputation is to you for example do you see Richard Branson in his underwear advertising his product no you don't because they have a certain sense of self-respect.

There you are, Shana. It is confirmed by those present in the photoshoot that Branson was completely nude in the first photo. I suppose he wanted to flash his whole body to the world before he turns 60.

[Michael Mayo]

So I shouldn't use my new avatar then

This happens every time I get a new photo made,
They go and change the rules!

Have a Great Day!
Michael

[BB-Eats]

You know there are hundreds of guys out there who put forth years of effort to have such an avatar. Bonus points if it features mirror and cellphone.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by DannyGillen

I think an avatar tells a lot about a person.

I've never seen one that's put me off doing business with somebody, but it does have an effect.

when i look at your avatar, i think of the guy in office space thats talking about showing some girl his 'o face'

[dave830]

Originally Posted by DannyGillen

I think an avatar tells a lot about a person.

I've never seen one that's put me off doing business with somebody, but it does have an effect.

It's true. People's character comes out more in their posts, but the avatar is all we have for our mental image of people... so that means something.

For instance, I've always enjoyed reading anything CDarklock has to say. And his image has him in that fuzzy, misty background... I picture him floating around in heaven. Or, getting out of Spicoli's van at Ridgemont High.

[TiborSzalay]

Avatar should be representative

[KimW]

Man O Man, would it have made a difference if the horse had skin??

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by derekwong28

There you are, Shana. It is confirmed by those present in the photoshoot that Branson was completely nude in the first photo. I suppose he wanted to flash his whole body to the world before he turns 60.

Are you ****SURE**** about that? ESPECIALLY the lower photo looks WAY too skinny. I figured he would be more buff.

Ok well, I will answer your questions....

1. I would be interested to know also, but I don't think it proper to ask.

2. PROBABLY less, but it is hard to say.

3. NOPE!

Steve

[HeySal]

WTF?

So what do guys think when they see a naked or nearly naked avatar of a female?
Sure hot - but business worthy? Only in Adult businesses and even then they get the respect of your friendly neighborhood hooker.

Sure I like to see a great body -- but I like a few brains attached to the corpse, ya know? When some dude is flashing his abs at me yet his business has nothing to do with building great abs or related health issues - I'm not going to bother one twat with whatever it is he's doing. He's just coming off as a dumb, conceited piece of meat at that point -- must not have a real solid business if he has to use abs instead of facts to sell it.

Later this year I'll be doing a video that will be scantily clad - but what I will be selling is weight control and skin care. You won't see that on my avatar because my base business, hobby, and areas of interest is in rock and gem hunting - so you get a hat and a man's utility shirt. Being female I did dress it up with a string of pearls, lol) - but that is what you get because that is who I basically am. I can't imagine putting a pic of me in a bathing suit on my rockhound site -- it's not a fit. It's not the image that is going to attract rock and gem hunters, archaeologists, treasure hunters, etc - anyone it attracted would just be looking for something not offered on the site. I might end up with matchmaking or porn in the forums.

Most of us will never meet each other in person so what we know of each other is purely what we find in here. I highly doubt that I'd have met the same respect if I'd have put up an avatar that looks like an ad for sex. Men should start dealing with the same line of thought. You might have a bod that is nice to look at, but I don't want to talk business with a dumb whore.

Honestly......men have the weirdest ideas sometimes.

[haikuangel]

I dont think that any woman with good social standing and upbringing who is here to seek education would be interested in any shirtless man. I think that men who use half naked avatars perhaps do so because it is part of their persona and would like to be known as such; perhaps they are sensual in nature or maybe some of the comments are correct that they are simply trying to reach out to another demographic.. wink!

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by HeySal

I don't want to talk business with a dumb whore.

Who does? What you really want is to talk business with an intelligent slut. That way, if you can't do business, at least you can have sex... and it won't cost you anything.

[Michael Motley]

Originally Posted by HeySal

WTF?

So what do guys think when they see a naked or nearly naked avatar of a female?
Sure hot - but business worthy? Only in Adult businesses and even then they get the respect of your friendly neighborhood hooker.

Sure I like to see a great body -- but I like a few brains attached to the corpse, ya know? When some dude is flashing his abs at me yet his business has nothing to do with building great abs or related health issues - I'm not going to bother one twat with whatever it is he's doing. He's just coming off as a dumb, conceited piece of meat at that point -- must not have a real solid business if he has to use abs instead of facts to sell it.

Later this year I'll be doing a video that will be scantily clad - but what I will be selling is weight control and skin care. You won't see that on my avatar because my base business, hobby, and areas of interest is in rock and gem hunting - so you get a hat and a man's utility shirt. Being female I did dress it up with a string of pearls, lol) - but that is what you get because that is who I basically am. I can't imagine putting a pic of me in a bathing suit on my rockhound site -- it's not a fit. It's not the image that is going to attract rock and gem hunters, archaeologists, treasure hunters, etc - anyone it attracted would just be looking for something not offered on the site. I might end up with matchmaking or porn in the forums.

Most of us will never meet each other in person so what we know of each other is purely what we find in here. I highly doubt that I'd have met the same respect if I'd have put up an avatar that looks like an ad for sex. Men should start dealing with the same line of thought. You might have a bod that is nice to look at, but I don't want to talk business with a dumb whore.

Honestly......men have the weirdest ideas sometimes.

If there are guys in your rockhound site, you can bet that you'll get their attention even more if you're gem hunting in daisy dukes as opposed to a utility shirt.

guys are guys, no matter what they do. we run on 3 basic ingredients, food, sex, and sports, and not necessarily in that order.

If you want to sell guys something, attach one of those 3 items to it (preferrably sex) and you're golden.

[Shana_Adam]

omg..well done for finding Richard branson in the buff....lol

It may be a trend then....sex does sell

[Michael Motley]

That would be an interesting test

Just something in the IM field. Do a normal IM page, and then the same page with a half naked female and see if there is actually a difference in response

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

Do a normal IM page, and then the same page with a half naked female and see if there is actually a difference in response

Hmm.

Get some banner-rotating software.

Stick it on a sales page.

Add one banner that's the company logo.

Add another that's a half-naked woman.

Now split-test it.

The page, not the woman! Pervert.

[ThomM]

I'm shirtless in my avatar and no one has said anything to me about it.

[jrptr]

I make many Avatar.s and its not only men that like shirtless lol

I do make a lot for chat rooms though so maybe thats why hehe

[Patrician]

I think 'when in Rome'.

i.e., I think it is tacky in a business forum not to wear a shirt for the avatar picture.

However considering the number of ads about 'work at home in your underwear', 'work at home in your pajamas' I am glad NOT to see many of those images.

I wouldn't judge really on their competence because one guy I know who has a shirtless avatar sold his simple website (with backlinks/traffic) for like $36,000 after 4 years. Brilliant shirtless guy.

At least the ones I have seen are buff. Unlike 'nudists' who are invariably saggy, baggy, flabby and absolutely gross. If you got it flaunt it, if not cover up before I barf.

[Michael Oksa]

For the most part I like the WF avatars (exceptions below). It's nice to put a face with the words. The people who use other images make me curious as to why they chose that particular image.

@ HeySal - I feel the same way about business services and banks using funny and/or scantily clad models to sell their wares.

Please!

Convince of your company's merits. Yes, that means you, too, GoDaddy.

The thing with shirtless male avatars is it makes me think they are vainglorious - and therefore probably not the easiest to work with. After all, any time you would disagree it would be a blow to their inflated ego.

That's my take on it.

All the best,
Michael "You Should Have Seen My Avatar BEFORE I Photoshopped It" Oksa

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

If there are guys in your rockhound site, you can bet that you'll get their attention even more if you're gem hunting in daisy dukes as opposed to a utility shirt.

guys are guys, no matter what they do. we run on 3 basic ingredients, food, sex, and sports, and not necessarily in that order.

If you want to sell guys something, attach one of those 3 items to it (preferrably sex) and you're golden.

Don't count on that Michael. My members aren't as shallow as you, apparently However - the paleontologists of my group might go completely gaga whacko over Kim's avatar.

Actually, I do wear a bathing suit out when I'm hunting in sunny hot weather. Someday a pic of me in one - or some other member will turn up in the photo gallery, and it may cause a hoot and holler or two - but it's not going to sell dredges or automatic gold pans. LOL. Rockhounds for the most part are either professional or ametuer earth scientists - and if you want to make them foam at the mouth - a pic of a nice fairburn agate or 2 carat red beryl will go further than one of a great set of abs any day of the week hands down. Trust me on that one.

[CDarklock]

Originally Posted by HeySal

Don't count on that Michael. My members aren't as shallow as you, apparently

Goes to authenticity. If you're REALLY out there in the dust searching for rocks, you're not dressing like that. They'd know you dressed like that to manipulate them, and they wouldn't be happy.

Geology = science; scientists = nerds; nerds value honesty.

Software developer over here. Engineers are just a subclass of scientists.

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by CDarklock

Goes to authenticity. If you're REALLY out there in the dust searching for rocks, you're not dressing like that. .

Uh.....90 degrees and sunny...you bet I hunt in a bathing suit. I wear jeans, and a white dress shirt with my bathing suit underneath. I hunt for awhile in the suit to get a tan and Vit D, then put the long clothes on when I've had enough sun, if the bugs are obnoxious, or when it starts to cool off toward evening.

I call the dress shirts my Mt. Whites - they are really versatile out there......and that is what people really notice is the white dress shirts. Most people do not "dress up" to dig rocks - until after they hunt with me once anyhow. The brown shirt in my avatar isn't actually what I wear in the field unless it's real cold out, but it looks earthy and to the point other than the string of pearls. That happens in my world too though. LOL.

I hunt with my site members all the time when I'm in their area or they come to mine....and it's not the bathing suit that anyone really gets a kick out of as a lot of them will get down to one too in the heat.....it's the dress shirts. I've converted a lot of hunters to them over the years. The sandals are a bit brave because of all the rattlers in some areas, but I just can't get my head arouind leather boots in 100 degrees.

[John M Kane]

shirtless I can live with, although sometimes a tooth grinder, but pantless....Oooh Boy!

[bbenson19]

I really don't understand why some could be vain. Just my two cents. Maybe it's because some think that girls would DIG it. Having an avatar or pic without shirt must be implying something. my 2 cents.

[seasoned]

Originally Posted by Patrician

I think 'when in Rome'.

i.e., I think it is tacky in a business forum not to wear a shirt for the avatar picture.

However considering the number of ads about 'work at home in your underwear', 'work at home in your pajamas' I am glad NOT to see many of those images.

I wouldn't judge really on their competence because one guy I know who has a shirtless avatar sold his simple website (with backlinks/traffic) for like $36,000 after 4 years. Brilliant shirtless guy.

At least the ones I have seen are buff. Unlike 'nudists' who are invariably saggy, baggy, flabby and absolutely gross. If you got it flaunt it, if not cover up before I barf.

Well, with pajamas, there IS that one commercial with the woman advertising her going to school in her pajamas. I have ANOTHER TRUE story that might get some debate! Several times, at work, a LOT of people came to work in their pajamas! WHY? Diwali, an Indian celebration....

UmangPhotos/2007 - Diwali/Fashion show - salwar kameez meets kurta pajama

Steve

[MerlynSanchez]

Here's my 2 cents:


1. Do ladies feel turn on when they see a male member shirtless here? I don't

2. Would you be more or less inclined to do business with that member?

Depends. As a couple of members have mentioned, if the person's business deals with fitness then the avatar makes sense. If not, then it would probably put me off. It's just so random. I can see Richard Branson doing it because he has that "eccentric" vibe about him.

3. Are there any WF male members you would like to see shirtless? No

Interesting thread

[Patrician]

I now would not want my name associated with Richard Branson. Not that it ever was, and I am glad, because I think the nude photos are completely scandalous, embarassing and tasteleSs -

... even shirtless changes the atmosphere

[Dave Patterson]

Originally Posted by Patrician

I now would not want my name associated with Richard Branson....

I don't think I'd touch that book either...

[Lloyd Buchinski]

Originally Posted by derekwong28

Do ladies feel turn on when they see a male member shirtless here?

I have read about a couple of studies that have said men are much more visually attracted than women, but obviously I can't give a personal opinion. Why, were you thinking of going shirtless?

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

for a truly scientific comparison, we need to have a couple ladies put a shirtless avatar up to see if there is any effect.

This guy is a thinker with a lot of good ideas. I'm going to read everything he types.

Originally Posted by Michael Motley

If you want to sell guys something, attach one of those 3 items to it (preferably sex) and you're golden.

Business is business. I remember someone mentioning in completely another thread, way over in the main forum (far, far away) mentioning businessmen at a convention buying stuff they would never need from the girls in the low cut blouses and carefully watching them while they filled out their part of the forms.


Edit: That was my second horrendous post in the last while. Thought I'd better clean it up a bit and delete the worst. Sorry about that. There was a bit of a story but it’s hardly worth typing out.

[Dave Patterson]

<<<---- No pants...

[Patrician]

Originally Posted by seasoned

Well, with pajamas, there IS that one commercial with the woman advertising her going to school in her pajamas. I have ANOTHER TRUE story that might get some debate! Several times, at work, a LOT of people came to work in their pajamas! WHY? Diwali, an Indian celebration....

UmangPhotos/2007 - Diwali/Fashion show - salwar kameez meets kurta pajama

Steve

... and one more. One time I had to work temp and landed in a 76 orange ball oil refinery analytics lab. Most wore jeans and Nomex.

I had come from a corp environment (suits, blazers, etc) and I have never been able to wear jeans much. They just never fit right.

So for most of my life after 20's I have worn leggings dressed down with tunics and sweatshirts and dressed up with blazers. Spandex is my BF - along with Black, 'best friend' you never see me without either one for decades now.

Also picture this with work boots which were required, and cowboy boots I could get away with, since I was in the lab office/data dept., and not climbing up and down into tanks of gas.

I always tried to look nice for work even with this conglomeration. There was one inspector, a big bellowing moose that used to tease me mercilessly on various issues, and it was friendly/fun.

Then one day we were really lashing at each other and he said half-seriously, that he just can't understand why I came to work everyday with my pajama bottoms.

Oh man, HazMat/D.O.T. requlations and now the Refinery Fashion Police busted me for my 'pajama' wear.

I still wear the leggings even working at home in a vintage ensemble I call Early Bag Lady.

BUT THEY ARE NOT PAJAMAS, trust me.

[Patrician]

Originally Posted by Lloyd Buchinski

What an expressive girl. Enjoyed that. I was working as kitchen help and one of the cooks had a story about working in a nudest camp. He said that it didn't take long before you got used to it and it was just the same as if everyone had their clothes on. That was really interesting to me. Maybe our system of morality creates what it is so worried about?

Oh well, that's enough deep heavy thinking for the night. Back to trying to create one of those photoshop shadow of a page effects using just css. (And it isn't working out well so far.)

best wishes, lloyd

really nothing to do with morality for me - it's just gross.


i am happy you liked my 'expression'. thank you.

[Teresa Coppes]

1. Do ladies feel turn on when they see a male member shirtless here?

This is a turn on:

2. Would you be more or less inclined to do business with that member?

Not particularly unless they're in the weight loss/body building niche as someone else suggested.

3. Are there any WF male members you would like to see shirtless?

None that I can think of.

[HeySal]

Originally Posted by Teresa_C

This is a turn on:

HUUAUH...YEAH! My blood's movin' now. Good find Teresa!

[Rudolph McDonald]

Maybe some of them are too proud of themselves(specially with their body) and they want to show it to others. Well, it represents your personality.

[Rich Lowe]

Originally Posted by dave830

Do I sense a "Men of the Warrior Forum" calendar coming out soon....?

Classic!

RIch