Let’s Think Before We Click the Comment Button

This week, I was faced with a dilemma.  One that took me days to work though and decide what I was going to do.  Do I respond to an internet troll making comments about me?

I thought about it and contemplated. And now I see this general asshattery everywhere!  It saddens me.  Why can’t people just think before they hit the comment button!?!

Everyone should think: “Would I say this to their face if they were here, or am I hiding behind this computer screen/made up name/fake picture?”

I often write reviews for businesses and post them on Yelp.  I recently wrote a review of a local bridal shop that gave me less than stellar customer service, and I wanted to share the experience.  A fellow Yelper (from here on known as Troll), started a thread entitled “Micaela and her Wedding.”  In this thread, Troll asked why in the world would I want to be engaged for over a year?  Why not get married sooner?  Apparently, Troll thinks everyone should do everything (especially get married) in EXACTLY the same way HE did, or envisions himself doing it. 

After thinking about it, I don’t think I would have been as offended if he hadn’t entitled the whole damn thing “Micaela and Her Wedding.”  I don’t know why, but the title got to me.  THEN he had to go and ask questions that were none of his business, and frankly, just kind of creepy.  I mean, why would a complete stranger care how long I am engaged for?  I don’t give a crap about other people’s engagements, or weddings, or other things.  Why even put it in writing!?!?  Maybe this is the English professor in me:  KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE, FOLKS!

Like I said, general asshattery.

Now, at first I was so pissed off I was shaking.  I posted it on the tried and true Facebook, and waited to see where I stood.  The final consensus was that he was rude.  Duh. 

But here is my concern with our society today and social media outlets and web articles and the damn comment section:  people write the stupidest things!  On OUR little blog here, people actually post comments that are RELATED to the article, thank goodness.  But I read a lot of online articles from various newspapers.  And the comment sections are always FILLED with stupid, inane comments of misinformed people who INSIST they are right.  Apparently, people think posting rude comments is ok. 

Obviously, these people should just start their own blog.  You get what you put out there, and I think we should all just think before we hit the comment button!

Thank you.  Now.  Comment away.