It’s really easy…
03/10/2011
… to make someone feel good. Say hi. Give them a real compliment. I know because I feel great when people do that to me.
It’s also really easy to to make someone feel bad. One little comment can make someone feel terrible. I know because I feel terrible when people do that to me.
The funny thing is the fine line between the two, especially on the internet. Sometimes I’m drafting a comment on someone else’s blog, and I reread it and it feels like I’m being a little bitchy or rude. I stop and rewrite it and find that I can explain what I wanted to say just as well or better when I add a compliment in there and make the tone nicer.
I promise to work on that a lot more if you will.
so true Chris! far to many people on the internet are rude.
I don’t know weather its unintentional and they just need to think about what they write more carefully or if the Anonymity of the net makes them feel like they can insult someone just because they have a computer screen to hide behind.
what ever the case I really wish people would become nicer and treat people how they would if they were face to face.
Good points, Chris.
I think also with the Internet, a lot of comments or even articles can be completely misunderstood and taken the wrong way. The context of things is really something that’s not done well online.
It can be quite difficult to find that line too!
Another cause is the rush we have in our lives.
One might read an article, like it and dislike a small thing about it, rush it out in a comment and move on.
Wheareas one could take the time to express that you liked it and learned something you didnt now, rather than assumming that’s just the way it is and use the comment box as a way to point arrows at what’s not perfect.
I’m glad you wrote this Chris. I have to remember to be careful how I word things and to remember that people matter more than my opinion does. It’s a good reminder of what’s important. Thx.
I discontinued allowing comments on my site because people were so rude. It really bothered me that I was putting out free information, trying to help someone else, and the first thing some people think of doing is putting you down. Wow. Really?
@rick yes, its very sad how people seem to think they have the right to put people down who are only trying to help.
Hey Chris,
I just wanted to let you know that your videos on lynda.com are awesome! I enjoy watching them so much and even though I’ve been a designer/developer for quite some time, I’m still learning new things from you. You’re a very good teacher! Thanks for the time you put into those videos, you rock! :)
Greetings from Maine!
Word.
It’s not just about being nice but also about effective writing.
Want to be a dick? Respond with a snarky comment.
Want to change the world? Use reason and patience.
If you are unknowingly rude, that just reflects poorly on yourself…We all do it sometimes, thats the nature of ignorance. We don’t have to choose to be offended either, but it’s never so easy as that.