I strive to be kind.
My English Grandmother instilled in me, that if I didn't have anything nice to say, to not say anything.
My favorite You Tubers are increasingly being bothered by unpleasant comments. Foxes afloat last week said "please don't post any comments that start with "you must" or "you have to" or "you should have." Glen of Glen and Friends Cooking tries to head off nasty comments, I love his cooking style, I can't imagine why anyone would be critical or nasty.
I enjoy reading and responding to most comments. I leave comments on many of the blogs that I read, some I leave comments on almost everyday. Occasionally I read a post, and I just can't think of anything nice to say. Sometimes my first thought for a comment is critical or unkind. I stop myself. I sometimes delete what I have started to type as a comment. I try - sometimes really hard - to come up with something positive or reinforcing to say. At times, and it may be because of my mood at the moment, I just can't think of anything. If I can't be kind, I skip commenting that day. I wish I could say something nice, but if I can't think of anything nice to say, I remain silent.
I also realize that despite the fact that my posts and comments are nearly all in English, humor often gets lost in cultural translation. Attempts at humor risk being rude in other English speaking countries. In my mode of being kind, I often avoid attempts at humor across cultures in the same language.
Be kind.
Be careful.
Follow grandma's advice.
I do try to asses, like your Grandmother's Sage Advice, is what I'm about to say an improvement over Silence? I'm fortunate that here in the Land of Blog I've had mostly Positive experiences and so few Negative ones or Trolls showing up. Of coarse, I do like my Wicked Fun with Trolls and just delete Non-Human Bot Comments if they are Spamming, but those too are rare. The Dubai Escorts were an interesting bunch for a while. *Smiles* It's sad when good Blogs get unwanted Guests and nasty Comments. I don't think I've ever left a nasty Comment or even be inclined to, since, Reading anyone's Blog isn't mandatory, it's optional and so my responsibility is to just leave if it's not something I'm wanting exposure to. You can be a Lurker and never Comment, I tend to Comment on Blogs I feel some connection to the Blogger or the Topic of the Post. Just found your Blog Today via another... liked this Topic.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, sorry your post was delayed, it was in the spam folder. I periodically get a flurry of spam, those are easy to delete and report.
DeleteFunny (not ha ha funny) how my grandmother never gave us that advice.
ReplyDeleteOne did, the other didn't - but I don't talk as much about her.
DeleteI say, if you don't have anything nice to say, come sit by me!!!
ReplyDeleteThat said, I don't think I've ever left a negative or unkind comment on a blog.
I always love reading your comments, if I have any good gossip - I will share - most of the time.
DeleteMy rule is never say anything in a comment that I wouldn't say to the person's face. For my blunt nature, however, that still leaves me pretty wide latitude, LOL. However, I do strive not to be unkind.
ReplyDeleteYour comments are always nice.
DeleteYour Grandma had the same advice as mine! Very wise!
ReplyDeleteShe was a good mentor.
DeleteYou don't have to strive to be kind - you ARE kind! Grandmothers have a wonderful way of dispensing advice that stays with us for our lifetimes.
ReplyDeleteYour grandchildren are lucky to have you in thier lives.
DeleteI was taught that as a child, too. I try to be kind and nice and helpful as often as I can. I do the same as you usually - if I don't have anything nice or positive to say I don't comment. Although, I might kindly correct someone if I feel strongly about a topic.
ReplyDeleteGood childhoods.
DeleteYour grandma was a wise woman. I try to take the same approach to commenting, though sometimes I mean to be funny and wind up sounding snarky.
ReplyDeleteShe was born near Greenwich,
DeleteI think though that you can disagree as long as you are kind along about the way you put it. But yes, if you can't be nice, don't say anything.
ReplyDeleteAgree, you can disagree without being rude or insulting.
Delete