Have you changed as you've aged? For the better? Are you more eager to do battle with others each day or less?. Why?

I know, right?

HAHAHAHAH!!! SO TRUE!

I don't believe anyone is required to respond to questions they find objectionable.  Personally, I must bypass at least a dozen questions a day that I think are inane. 

How often do you attack the questioner L? Or do you just ignore the questions and move on? SIGH. I know the answer. The question is rhetorical.

  How often does someone whine that he or she is being attacked just because others disagree or have differing opinions, differing perspectives, fail to fall at his or her feet and lavish praise?  Gee, talk about blowing things out of proportion!  "Oh, I've been attacked, I've been attacked!"  [Insert eye-roll here.]

Seems to me anyone who chooses to attack should expect some degree of resistance if not an out and out counterattack. 

  Good point.  Attack others all day long, then catch hurt feelings when the worship doesn't pour in. 

:|

What I love are certain people who post poorly thought out but inflammatory questions/statements in a tone that implies that person knows best and is better than those who may not agree. Then, when you respond with logical reasons that the statement or question is poorly thought out or baseless (trying to make crystal clear that you're only talking about the question and not the poster), that person goes off whining about how the responder TALKS DOWN TO HIM/HER! Now isn't that the pot calling the kettle black? And instead of being an adult and griping directly to the offender, he or she posts multiple similar questions that seem general and hypothetical but obviously are inspired by the supposedly offensive behavior, and they also make assumptions and generalizations about the personality and character of a person that the asker hardly knows.

:):):)

Occasionally I will remark that a particular question is out of bounds in my opinion.  Sometimes, I just shake my head and move on.

To whom do you say that sweetie? The questioner? Just wonderin'. I can't remember your ever saying that to me though I know my questions are boundless. Maybe you just don't want to hurt my feelings 'cause we're good pals. In any case that's my experience with you! Thank you for your reply L! :)

I've said it to people on occasion when they ask a question that I believe is overly personal in nature.  You may ask a lot of questions, but they are not personal ones.  I know that we have had differences of opinion at times, but we have always agreed to disagree.  No need for hurting anyone's feelings. :)

I agree with thee. The down lows though always make every question I ask about me. You have never done that. The minute someone does I cut him/her off. It's a waste of my time. I don't wish to engage in tit for tat or defending myself. They enjoy that kinda crap. Not me so I just leave and close the door on them forever. It's just easier on me L. And at this age I go for what I enjoy, what's easy and what's comfy!  I don't owe anyone anything but being honest and TRYING to be civil. Thank you for your reply! : This post was edited by RosieG at October 26, 2018 1:37 AM MDT

I understand, Rosie - I really do and I also find it easier to walk away most of the time.

You know L when I first joined Answerbag in 2005 I felt obligated to reply to every response no matter how rude or insulting. At first I was very puzzled about why folks wouldn't or couldn't just answer the question and would criticize me for asking it and make their reply all about me. i tried to explain myself and when they'd get particularly snarky I'd ask why? But eventually I learned that there are some folks for whom internet social sites are the place they go to engage in battle. Maybe cause it's safe and they can't do it in their private real day-to-day lives for whatever reason. It's a place to vent certainly but it's also a place to exchange ideas and have conversations where you might learn something you didn't know. If and only if the conversation remains civil and doesn't get personal. So finally I decided to just ignore the folks who were there to vent AT ME. It didn't make sense for me to leave each day spending my time on an internet social site feeling bad or angry. What a silly way to invest your time! At least in my opinion. So I just stopped cold turkey and no longer engage with them. i get nothing value from being attacked so why set myself up for it? You like a question you answer it. You don't you don't. You don't have to agree with it but you certainly don't have to make the question about the person who asks it. There is no middle that makes sense to me. This post was edited by RosieG at October 26, 2018 8:25 AM MDT

A wise decision, Rosie.  You cant' control the actions of others, but you can certainly control your responses to them.  What these people fail to understand is that in a way, they are just as guilty of doing the same thing they accuse others of doing.  Instead of posing the question, "Why do you keep doing such and such?" let them ask themselves, "Why do I keep going after the person who asks questions I don't like?"

True and I often try my best.  But then I just feel called upon to restore some semblance of balance. To respond to outrage with reason, to hate with love. 

I've come to learn that there are some folks who are opposed to even trying to see things from a perspective other than their own.  When I realize that, I figure there's not point to continuing the discussion.

 I bypass a hundred.

There aren't 100 new posts a day. :)

Here? Of course, I exaggerate.

  You're absolutely right, no one is required.  Nor is anyone restricted from responding.  For example, if someone posts praise or support for Donald Trump, anti-Trump people need not hesitate to rebut if they so choose.  
~