Posted by Phil on May 23, 2002, at 7:21:08
If we consistantly find someone's posts offensive, don't even say a word.
When I, very recently, had someone calling me names in a very harsh way, I HAD to bite my tongue(fingers?) to not reply. It was very hard to do but this poster was so angry that it went beyond anything that I said. In other words, the poster was probably having a very hard time with life in general and I began to feel more empathy than anger. But I was still wanting to set the person straight!! You know?? Just shred the poster with sarcasm, etc. It would not have accomplished anything.
We can stop at least 50% of the anger flareups by just ignoring those we disagree with. I haven't always done that but I learned a lesson with this poster and it was this. Let it go.
I personally know one person on this board, Shar.
If anyone other than Shar attacks me personally (Shar wouldn't), I know that it has very little to do with me and a whole lot to do with them.
We will never ignore everyone that attacks us and that's a shame because it is the only thing that works. It doesn't show that you lost the argument.
In real life, say you're walking down an unfamiliar street in a less than 'safe' neighborhood. Some guys are yelling calling you every name in the book. You walk calmly, look down, don't reply, and hope like hell they go away.
Anyway, I gotta go to work..yuk.
poster:Phil
thread:5175
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/admin/20020510/msgs/5175.html