sometimes it's just to project an 'aura'...the same reasons people prefer nick-names RT. I have no aura, so it wouldn't work for me anyway...*grin*

The only ones that bother me are the ones which give NO clue about gender. I have learned 'most' of the ones here, of course, but I almost wish folks would put an 'f' or 'm' after their names. Not a big deal, I just get confused easily.