Today, someone that I didn’t know added me to their IM list. I assumed that it was a work contact. But, no. The stranger claimed to be from China, and the domain of his e-mail address more or less confirmed location (I checked WHOIS).
At first, I thought this person might have sought me out. I have been recently quoted in a Chinese newspaper and on Western news services, about Google’s Chinese research facility and, separately, Google, Microsoft and Yahoo! agreeing to censor search results in China. The IM looks to have been random, though.
The IM conversation follows. I changed the stranger’s ID to “China Dude,” to protect his identity.
Joe Wilcox says:
Hi. Who are you?
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Where are you come from?
Joe Wilcox says:
I asked, who are you?
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
China.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
You?
Joe Wilcox says:
You are just randomly going through IM names?
Joe Wilcox says:
Or do you know who I am?
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Sorry , I don’t know.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
I just talk with you.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
I want to learn english.
Joe Wilcox says:
Ah.
Joe Wilcox says:
OK. Practice by telling me about you.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
I’m a stundent.
Joe Wilcox says:
What do you study?
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Chemical.
Joe Wilcox says:
Are you now at school or an Internet cafe?
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
I feel I go to bed.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Right?
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Can I make a fried with you ?
Joe Wilcox says:
Maybe.
Joe Wilcox says:
Good night.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Good night!
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Thank you.
Joe Wilcox says:
🙂
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Glad to meet you.
China Dude (E-mail Address Not Verified) says:
Bye, see you next time.
I typically do not engage strangers over IM. With the Internet, my tendency is to be overcautious. I may yet block this stranger from future conversation, simply because it’s the safest thing to do. But I am undecided. I would appreciate comment about what action to take. My question: What would you do?