Commenting Etiquette (Or the Lack Thereof)
So today is the last day to enter the giveaway, but to be honest, I'm thinking of extending it because it is quite possibly the saddest giveaway ever! I think I may need to re-think my tactics if I ever decide to do this again! Thanks to those who entered and for everyone else, there's still time! On to our regularly scheduled programming....
I was reading threads yesterday in the Etsy Blog Team forum and I came across a post someone had written talking about a (very) rude comment that someone posted on her Facebook page, basically saying her work was crud (insert the s-word here). I was really disheartened for this person, whose feelings were understandably hurt, and was really taken aback by the idea that someone would post something like that on someone's page. It just seems so hurtful.
I've thought about this before, particuarly when reading comments posted on news articles online, especially political things. There are always comments calling the writer an idiot, calling the subject an idiot, or just calling each other idiots. It makes me think, "Who gave you license to be so mean?" Now anyone with a keyboard can become a pundit and place their anonymous feelings out there to insult the masses (and often full of typos and grammatical errors, which I don't even want to get started on because it just makes me mad).
I try and comment positively on a blog if I feel like I have something to contribute to what the author is saying. Sometimes I want to react to what someone else is saying (on those large news outlets), but what's the point? The person behind the comment probably won't even see it, and what's one more comment on an article that already has 1000+ comments? I personally haven't had a negative comment yet about my stuff on any media I use, but I'm not a huge shop with a huge following so I don't know if I would be as vulnerable as someone casting a wider net, and I don't have a Facebook page that may link me to people who know people who know people that I don't know. But I know I would be pretty devastated if someone were to say rude things like that to me, without any explantion, because I'm rather hard on myself as it is. You may say "perfectionist" because that is accurate, especially when it comes to work, and I don't take criticism well, especially when it comes to work and I'm trying to do it perfectly to please you, darn it. I need to develop a thicker skin.
Anyway, I'm not really talking about a tough customer who doesn't like something they ordered, but just someone who are being mean for the sake of being mean. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a negative comment, anonymous or otherwise? Just drive-by, unexpected rudeness?
I was reading threads yesterday in the Etsy Blog Team forum and I came across a post someone had written talking about a (very) rude comment that someone posted on her Facebook page, basically saying her work was crud (insert the s-word here). I was really disheartened for this person, whose feelings were understandably hurt, and was really taken aback by the idea that someone would post something like that on someone's page. It just seems so hurtful.
I've thought about this before, particuarly when reading comments posted on news articles online, especially political things. There are always comments calling the writer an idiot, calling the subject an idiot, or just calling each other idiots. It makes me think, "Who gave you license to be so mean?" Now anyone with a keyboard can become a pundit and place their anonymous feelings out there to insult the masses (and often full of typos and grammatical errors, which I don't even want to get started on because it just makes me mad).
 |
| Spell check button by beanforest |
I try and comment positively on a blog if I feel like I have something to contribute to what the author is saying. Sometimes I want to react to what someone else is saying (on those large news outlets), but what's the point? The person behind the comment probably won't even see it, and what's one more comment on an article that already has 1000+ comments? I personally haven't had a negative comment yet about my stuff on any media I use, but I'm not a huge shop with a huge following so I don't know if I would be as vulnerable as someone casting a wider net, and I don't have a Facebook page that may link me to people who know people who know people that I don't know. But I know I would be pretty devastated if someone were to say rude things like that to me, without any explantion, because I'm rather hard on myself as it is. You may say "perfectionist" because that is accurate, especially when it comes to work, and I don't take criticism well, especially when it comes to work and I'm trying to do it perfectly to please you, darn it. I need to develop a thicker skin.
Anyway, I'm not really talking about a tough customer who doesn't like something they ordered, but just someone who are being mean for the sake of being mean. Have you ever been on the receiving end of a negative comment, anonymous or otherwise? Just drive-by, unexpected rudeness?
 |
| Ron Swanson from Parks and Recreation Lino Cut Print by andyrama |
I often have the same impulse in which I want to post a comment on an editorial, but I know it's not worth my time. Sometimes I have to take a break from the online news because those comments get me so worked up and upset. I agree-- how do people become so unkind?
ReplyDeleteOne thing I try to consider when people are unnecessarily harsh to me or one another is the notion that anger is something they are carrying with them.
ReplyDeleteI may be hurt or offended for a moment, but they are living with the real burden, and as such should probably be pitied.
I agree with what Andrew said. I try to teach my kids that people why say mean things are suffering in some way, and that we just need to try to understand. I also do worry about kids and the no-consequences meanness that the Internet brings, where you can say whatever you want to a faceless nobody and get away with it.
ReplyDeleteYes, people definitely get brave when they are hiding behind their computer screen.
ReplyDeleteThe screen definitely makes people brave, but I don't know how, even with the "screen" in the way how some such vile things can come out of people's mouths. Society is getting sad.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me so sad to hear about that facebook post. People don't stop and think sometimes how their words can affect others. As mother always said, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all!"
ReplyDeleteExactly! And it's not even like it's a big anonymous company (though there are real people behind those posts, too). You know a Facebook page of an Etsy seller is one real person.
ReplyDeleteThat is very rude. I understand not liking a particular product(no one is forcing you to buy it) but they should provide construction criticism instead of being a douche. It's hard reading the comments on news articles. It makes you wonder who is leaving these articles and the type of person they are hiding inside them. Frankly, if I don't like you I will let you know face to face or phone to phone. Sending hate email, txt msgs and comments are just cowardly. (my rant for the day)
ReplyDelete