Public or Private Polls....do you care? Should we be able to post PRIVATE "comments"?

I don't really care either way

I don't really care, but there are a lot of posts about rape and sexual assault and I think it would be nice to have anonymous comments for posts like that if it were possible. Some people might be uncomfortable sharing their experiences on such an emotional subject without complete anonymity.

I honestly don't care either way, however, I think the poll results look cleaner when everyone's name isn't listed under where they answered.

There are some polls that I don't answer because they are public, but for the most part it doesn't bother me.

I don't really mind voting in any poll, regardless of if it's private or public. Doesn't really matter much to me.

There are some polls I would vote if they were private but not public---things like "which state do you live in?" or "How much education do you have?" or "What's your job?"---because I don't want that information linked with my avatar/screenname.

And there are some edgy questions about sexual preferences I won't answer in public polls either... if it was private I would vote. But I guess it's not a big loss that I'm not voting. The poll poster should just know that they're getting fewer responses if it's not private.

As far as comments---if I don't want them linked to my avatar/screen name, I just don't make them.

Not a big deal, I don't feel like I'm missing out. But there are definitely questions I avoid answering if it's going to post my username there.

I don't vote on sensitive topics even if voting is private and even though you don't know who I am. I don't want to risk a website glitch that causes my name (even just my screen name) to show up.

And it amazes me that people start public polls on sensitive questions. The results for such polls are useless.

If it's a really sensitive political subject, I may not answer, or may only if it's private, or may declare my opinion loudly, if I'm in that mood.

There are certain things I don't answer; things like "How many partners have you had?" Or "What's the biggest thing you've ever put up your ass?" I see no reason to answer those, but others are free to, if they like. It makes no difference to me.

You know, I honestly hadn't thought about the public polls I vote in that could link back to my screenname/avatar. Now it makes me want to be a little more cautious instead of just blindly voting and not caring. Because while I may not care, there could be someone else along the lines that could find it linked to me and it could cause issues. Huh...

I don't care either way because I am by no means a "private person", but I understand why some would want their privacy. Actually, I have a few people who use this site and I know personally, and maybe they don't want me to know all of their personal business, or what if you invite someone you are dating to use the site or they come across it and find your account? I agree that private polls can be great for people who don't want someone to know their personal info, or want to answer but don't want to spread their partner's personal business. For example if you and your partner both are on the site and everyone knows that you are together, and you answer a question like "does he have a problem getting an erection" then everyone is going to see (if it is public) the partner's personal info.

Maybe private posting would be nice for some users but because I don't care about too much privacy it doesn't matter one way or another.

I've been on websites and even moderated web sites that allowed users to post anonymous comments. It nearly always ended badly. People used the anon button to insult, degrade people or to make ridiculous comments to get a rise out of other people. Of course, the mods knew who was making anon comments, which led to banning and all kinds of unpleasantness.

I think to be aware that anyone can wander in here, keep a few things private and not to answer any comment or question you are uncomfortable with is probably the best choice.