Discussion»Questions»answerMug Members» At an Answermug real-life party would you avoid the people you dislike or would you face them and insult them? Why?
You know, the appeal of this is growing on me. How different or distorted our perceptions are of each other when we cannot see each other face to face, when we only have the personas that are written out in front of us dictating our reactions to each other. We don't always know about race or age, we are mostly ignorant here of what influences us in the 3 dimensional world. But what if the persons I find unequivocally obnoxious here have a shy smile and look sweetly awkward, for example. What if the guy who likes to wear women's underwear is 6ft tall and built like Adonis (unlikely, I know).
I had a conversation with a very close friend here about how we could or could not like a person who we oppose politically. Could you like that person even if you find their views profoundly offensive or disagreeable.
We both concluded that no we couldn't but that just might be us. But I am pretty sure that if we ever had a get together, our perceptions of each other would change. We might not fall in love with each other but I suspect our opinions would shift, maybe for the better.
So I would suspend my insults until I saw and spoke to those people first, with civility and good grace.
If it transpires that they are a dickweed after all, then so be it. At least I tried.
Precisely my friend! Exactamundo! It's easy as he** to be a jacka** to someone you can't see and will never meet in person. It's cowardly of course because we both dam* well know these folks would say diddly in real life face-to-face to anyone. They hide behind the safety of anonymity. Of course seeing someone and experiencing their reactions is priceless. The written word is powerful but it is sadly one-dimensional. Thank you for your very thoughtful and informative reply m'dear. It is replies like this that opens the doors to a better understanding of whom someone is. There are folks with whom I have chatted for years very cordially about whom I know very little. That is their choice. I'm an open book and as a result I am drawn to other open books. Makes sense, right Lucia? :)
I would most likely just try to avoid those I don't care for. I don't usually look to intentionally hurt or be nasty, even to someone I don't like. Of course, there are always those who eventually try my patience and fail to take a hint and leave me alone. Then - it's open season. Happy Monday, Rosie. :)
This post was edited by SpunkySenior at November 14, 2016 9:30 AM MST
I would only avoid the person or people who attacked me personally. Other than him or her I wouldn't avoid anybody but I might feel a little lost and awkward at first at an AM real life party because I'm pretty sure everybody probably looks a lot different from how I imagine them.
Everyone here seems very charming. I don't dislike anyone.......yet lol. On a serious note, if I didn't like someone, I would just avoid them as a whole. Why would I want to bring drama to a party, and kill the atmosphere?
Benedict Arnold 