Since it's Tuesday...

And I'm a take no prisoners kinda girl...

There are some interesting trends happening right now in blog commenting that I just can't stand anymore.  So we're talking about them today.

It's All About Me!
These are the people who read your blog post about having been riding and leave a comment about how much they hate horses.  It has nothing to do with what you have posted.  It has nothing to do with you the blogger.  It has everything to do with the person who left the comment.

They are the center of their universe and seem to think that they are the center of yours, too.  Why comment on the blog post they have just read* when they can leave a comment that has very little to nothing to do with it and everything to do with them? 

If their goal is to tell everyone reading something about themselves, they are.  I just don't think it's what they wanted to tell us.

As a blogger, I have no idea how to respond to these comments.  As a blog reader, I feel for the person getting left such comments because I know how they're going to feel when they see the comment.  Something along the lines of WTF?! is typical from my experience.

Taking The First Shot!
Then there are the people who leave comments that are veiled insults.  Or not so veiled insults.  I love it when I get these from people who claim to be my friends.  Reminds me of that saying about who one should keep close...

These comments can be someone questioning your life choices, insulting a sock or being condescending.  Btw, two of those from the same person WILL get you banned from commenting on my blog.  Normally, that happens after an actual friend has emailed me to question the comments.  Yes, this has happened.  More than once.  Along the lines of 'did so-and-so really say that?'  Followed by both of us being confused by the comment or the recent commenting history.

My favorite condescending comment in all my years of blogging was from the little girl who thought it was quaint that all the knitters were taking up sewing.  Yeah.  I've known how to sew longer than she's been alive.  I love it when the young ones are so clueless.**

I'm The Next Woody Allen!
Then there are the people who think they're funny and aren't.  They are from the land of Trying Too Hard and Just Don't Get It in my experience.  We've all seen it.  Not only in blogs but on the Tweet, Faceyspace and anywhere else that actual cool funny people gather.

As someone who is actually funny, I have to tone it down because I know that I'm too hip for my own blog.  I've come to a place of peace with it for the most part.  It's a knitting blog.  If I'm too hip or edgy, I'll start getting people asking questions and/or telling me they don't understand because they don't want to fucking google it. Whatever...

Knowing your audience is a must.  If you don't, and you're trying too hard AND trying to be funny, it's going to fall flat.  If you're lucky, that's all.  If you're not lucky, people will notice and start talking.  Too much of that and folks will start looking into ways to avoid you because it's all about you not being funny and no one has time for that because we're all tired and busy.

Later, we'll talk about people who have no empathy, have no common sense and why I seem to attract them.  If there's time, we may even address how as we get older, our worlds get smaller and we become the center of our own personal universe and how one can deal with all of that without setting their elders on fire.  No matter how much that may seem like an idea.

Thank you if you've gotten this far.  I know it was a bit boring to read but I think there was a little something for everyone in there if you're paying attention.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got spinning to do...

 

*  This is assuming they actually read the blog post in questions.  There is some talk of perhaps these people are skimmers who are Trying Too Hard.  That would make sense but still...

** No, not really.

Comments

[Squish]

You know, I hate horses too! :D /skips merrily off to find my phone

[iammo]

But it's all about meeeeee! (am I Trying To Hard now?) ;)

((hugs)) Don't let 'em get you down.

[Marilyn]

It's Tuesday???
You're spinning?...and what do your knees have to say about that? :)
xoxo

[Jeannette]

I am a bit of a skimmer but I still have learned a lot from your blog and hope to continue to do so in the future.

[kmkat]

If I don't have to google something every day, I figure it is a wasted day.

Wait. Does this count as as one of those all-about-me comments? Oh, and I am indifferent to horses.

[Cheryl S.]

I effing hate the Feedly Android app. Yes, that has nothing to do with your blog post other than that it kicked me out of your blog somehow while I was in the middle of commenting.

I want to know what you did with the riding crop.

[CindyCindy]

I like My Little Pony. Smaller and pink and purple. I have trouble getting on the regular horses. Yes, ma'dear you have made good statements. True and concise. The thing I found a little bit disturbing is that there's a bit of me there, too. Sometimes I do try to hard and I do try to be funny. The only good thing about getting older is I have finally found out that it's a waste of time and extremely off-putting and I can try to stop myself before I truly p*ss off someone I care about.

[KellyS]

I like blue.

xoxo

seriously, though, you are crazy funny!

[Datagoddess]

But it *is* all about me!!

Oh, wait, that's my own blog! I keep forgetting that I'm not the center of everyone's universe. Although I should be. For reasons.

<3 Screw the fuckers. Wait, that's rather redundant... ;-)

xoxo

[gayle]

(Pssst... You couldn't be boring if you tried.)
Hugs and please continue to take no prisoners.
Whatcha spinning? Can I see?

[Joan]

Still waiting for bread over here.

[margene]

Everyone who just read your post is doing a whole lot of navel gazing.
I'm very good at ignoring all my blog comments and 90% of my emails.

[Bev]

Now I have to go back and read comments-- which, generally, I never do. I am interested in your blog, and don't give a shit what anyone else thinks.

[Ruth]

You are never boring, but I'm now questioning my own blogging after reading your post :P

[Sarah]

*mwah* Much love to you, sweetie! xo

[Knittyotter]

This is all so great. Monkeys are great too.