I should probably work on developing a thicker skin, but really. (1, 2) Note: I usually don’t respond to people who burst into hysterics—the second comment was at least more civilized, though—because trying to draw out a dignified, adult discussion is usually an exercise in futility in such cases. These people have already made up their minds about you, and battened down their hatches—they’re not interested in any points of view but their own. I enjoy a rousing debate (really, sometimes I even get my mind changed or admit I’m mistaken), but graceless displays of imbecility, not so much. Pillorying someone (we’re talking about a regular schmoe, not a public figure or a corporation) on your blog in lieu of engaging them directly is also very, very tacky.
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Comments that are off-topic, offensive, or blatantly self-promotional will be jettisoned out of the airlock. Don't be that person.
Kamrin said,
March 13, 2007 at 2:47 pm
I agree. It is so much easier to be nice than it is to be rude, maybe those two should give it a try.
Save the Aye Aye!
green la girl said,
March 13, 2007 at 5:36 pm
I agree about the thicker skin part. The comments actually weren’t so bad in terms of content as they are rudely stated, IMHO. If a commenter had simply asked nicely if you had a recommendation as to what readers could do about donating to this cause, I’m guessing your reaction would’ve been v. different.
When I get rude comments — My tactic is to assume that the commenters are either v. bad writers who can’t express themselves properly but desperately want to talk to me, or v. socially awkward people who have no idea what a dignified conversation sounds like. I still get angry, and sometimes feel down, but it helps –