Insults, why do people care so much?

@lisan23 (442)
United States
June 12, 2009 10:31pm CST
I'm just trying to figure this out I guess. First there was the post where someone asked if you'd be upset if someone called you a nasty name. Then there is the whole Sarah Palin David Letterman thing (google it if you don't know). So I guess I just wonder WHY people care so much? Why do so many people put so much stock into the opinion of someone who they don't even know? I have always been very outspoken and "different". (Most people my age are into clothes, fashion, movies, music, clubs, etc. I like to read, check the news, write, and think about things going on in the world and learn how to resolve them. Because of this, the majority of my friends are 30+ years older than me.) I've been called some lovely names in the past, but I just let them go. The only reason I remember some of them is the creativity and time it must have taken some of these people to come up with these insults. It was most gratifying to disappoint them by not giving them a response. So... why is it that people care so much about a strangers opinion of themselves?
2 people like this
2 responses
@PeacefulWmn9 (10420)
• United States
13 Jun 09
There are probably a ton of reasons why people might care about the opinions of strangers. One that comes to mind is low self-esteem and approval seeking. As for the Letterman/Palin incident, in my opinion that has more to do with politics, ratings, etc., than with morals. Best to be yourself, like yourself, and not worry about what others, especially strangers, might say or think.
1 person likes this
@lisan23 (442)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I agree, especially about the Letterman/Palin thing. I'm reminded of the saying from when we're kids "Sticks and stones may break your bones but words will never hurt you". It's true, as long as you don't put value into the words being spoken.
@phyrre (2317)
• United States
13 Jun 09
Hmm...I can't say for sure. Mostly, I don't really care what other people think about me and their opinions couldn't phase me any less. I think for some people, though, it's not so much about the insult as the lack of...hmm...not sure what I'm looking for. Not necessarily respect, though that might be it in some cases, too. The best way I can explain what I'm thinking is to give an example. I have a friend named Justin who looks a bit like what you would picture a punk, I suppose. Dresses in dark colors, is super thin, has piercings, etc. But he's very anti-christian now and disillusioned with that religion because of how those people have judged him and called him names. I guess it's not so much the name calling as the judging, though. :) So maybe that's what I was looking for? Or I think that's what it is for people in many cases.
1 person likes this
@lisan23 (442)
• United States
13 Jun 09
I get what you're saying. I can understand being disillusioned with religion, I was for a long time as well. But everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes. Hopefully he'll get to a point where he realizes that their words are meaningless and everyone is a hypocrite sometimes.