Em... I do use my own photos in the AVATAR (not aviator: p) for many reason: First, I’m a guy so I don’t think that people will waste their valuable time to watch my photo. Also, it’s useful for me .Because it helps the one I’m talking with, to imagine how do I look like ( some guys thought that I’m an Alien ). -I do have a blog where I’ve uploaded my photos; it’s efficient to get my photos from anywhere. -Honestly, I don’t care if people see my photo, because they see me when I’m outside. And talking about Photoshop, it’s not so scary for me . Even if I find my photo somewhere modified, I don’t care. Everyone nowadays knows about the stuff, thus it’s useless to preoccupy myself about it.

Well, I don't think people should push you to put up a picture of yourself if you don't want to, especially considering the track record of this site for having lots of people who aren't all that interested in learning language. For me, it's not really a big deal. I'm not so good looking that people are going to take my picture and use it somewhere else ^^ haha. That and I would imagine males get less harassment and unwanted messages than women do, so it's more reasonable. I am more bothered when people ask me what my full name is or what my address is. Well, I don't have a blog so it's not a worry of mine. Like many young westerners, I have a facebook page, but of course only my friends can view pictures on it and even then, pictures of myself are somewhat scarce. The internet is not always the safest of places. You should never do anything you're not comfortable doing, even if people keep encouraging you to do it. If you don't want to post a personal picture, you probably shouldn't.

i use my own pic, so that it will help people to describe me and easy for me to find people who wants to accept the real me..huhu and i agree with itlktiv about the photoshop... -ahtau-

Aviator?Or avatar?Is it used in English-spocken countries too?The first time when I heard of it was from an Italian girl,interesting word...In my English-Chinese dictionary it was simply defined as "incarnation". OK,so in etymology it was Sanskrit,avatārah... http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avatar Sorry,off topic,I don't use my own photo here only because I think it's totally unnecessary.:) Why should we put our pictures? Why should we judge each other from apperaences?

Hehe are you trying to make fun of her? She doesn't get angry easly!.. Joking :-p Well, I don't like to put my pic coz I don't like people to recognise me. Guys aren't like girls, specially in our traditions & culture here :-@ .. So yes I get scared from photoshop :-p & no i don't like spreading my personal photo in net ;-p Salam!