How do you deal with mean comments?

United States
February 20, 2007 5:40pm CST
I got a nasty comment from an anonymous reader on my blog this morning. Not a difference-of-opinion kind of comment. A nasty you-suck kind of comment. A comment that serves no other purpose than to get under my skin. And it did. I know we as bloggers need to have thick skin - like anyone in the "public" eye. Usually I can let things like this roll off my shoulders (after an initial ouch!) But today I'm having a hard time letting this one go. I'm not bugged so much by the content of the comment. It's the energy behind it. And I'm mostly upset with myself for being upset about the comment. (vicious cycle?) Anyway ... How do you deal with mean comments? Are you truly thick-skinned enough to let the nasties roll off your shoulders? If so, how do you do it? I could use tips. Thanks.
2 responses
21 Feb 07
Firstly, don't get upset about it! Put a positive spin on it and take it as a compliment, whoever posted those comments is probably jealous of either your blog or your life. Secondly, and I know this is the hard bit, just forget about it. Thirdly, I would just delete the comment, do not be tempted to respond in any way. A reviewer on my site and I both got some very abusive emails from a blogger who objected to a review that had been written on my website. Yes, it's annoying at first but I just deleted the content and ignored any further emails. They soon got bored and I soon forgot about the whole incident. I think you can only say you are a true blogger once you have had a nasty comment, a bit like the saying that you are not a true horse rider until you have fallen off! It's one of those experiences that enriches your life further and reminds you that you are a good person!
22 Feb 07
That's interesting what you said about the readers slamming into the person who left the nasty comments. The advice I've had form some people is to leave the comments published so that everyone can see what a low life they are!
• Canada
21 Feb 07
I think that's some good advice.
• United States
21 Feb 07
Great reminders. Thank you. My very first nasty comment came at a time a few years ago when I was being featured on a high-traffic site. I actually handled it the way I'd hoped (even in hind-sight). But my readers SLAMMED the nasty commenter. Not only in my blog, but in the commenter's blog. It started a whole community uproar that lingered for over a year. I learned a lot from that. I was just having a difficult time letting this one go -- probably because yesterday's commenter is someone who trails way back to those earlier days. A different person but the same community. Anyway, thank you for your support here and in my blog. Great advice.
• Canada
20 Feb 07
That sucks. I've had that kind of thing happen to on an unmonitered sight. It hurts. What my husband tells me is that if you don't know this person and if your never going to meet them to say to yourself "They can take a flying ....". They don't mean anything to you. Does it matter what they think of you? And do you really want to know them after that kind of treatment anyways? Go do something to cheer yourself up. Get a hug. Tell a friend who would understand and give you a positive response. Go have your favorite hot drink or take a bath. Do yourself something good because you don't need people like that in your life. Hug s to you.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Feb 07
What a cool response. Thanks for that. I've been able to do wonderful things for myself today. I just get frustrated when something lingers in me - especially something that should be so insignificant. Also, even though the commenter posted as Anonymous, I know who she is -- a well-known (infamous) instigator from the beginning of my blog-time in '03. She rubs everyone the wrong way. (probably why I am frustrated to be bothered by this for so long) I'll let it go. I just wondered how others deal with this sort of thing. Thanks for responding! peace.
• Canada
21 Feb 07
No problem at all. I'm glad to help.