PITTY PARTY THREAD!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I think I know what Marc is talking about - this issue goes way back, several months ago...about what he perceives as insincere sympathy via the internet towards other bloggers. He finds it a bit too syrupy when people all join in giving reassuring or comforting comments when somebody creates a thread about some personal misfortune or tragedy.

If Marc believes that personal tragedies or misfortunes don't belong here on a public forum, I'd say in general, I agree. However, I won't find fault in someone who decides they need to air out their laundry by posting about it, and I think it is shows good social etiquette when offering sympathy and comfort when someone is seeking that out, no matter how it may seem 'fake' or insincere. It's just like greeting a stranger with, "How do you do?" or an aquaintance with, "How are you?"

Marc, I think you can 'keep it real' while still following good social etiquette. In fact, being socially inept is far from keeping it real, when this is a public forum which involves social interaction.

[natty bumppo 297]

I think I know what Marc is talking about - this issue goes way back, several months ago...about what he perceives as insincere sympathy via the internet towards other bloggers. He finds it a bit too syrupy when people all join in giving reassuring or comforting comments when somebody creates a thread about some personal misfortune or tragedy.

If Marc believes that personal tragedies or misfortunes don't belong here on a public forum, I'd say in general, I agree. However, I won't find fault in someone who decides they need to air out their laundry by posting about it, and I think it is shows good social etiquette when offering sympathy and comfort when someone is seeking that out, no matter how it may seem 'fake' or insincere. It's just like greeting a stranger with, "How do you do?" or an aquaintance with, "How are you?"

Marc, I think you can 'keep it real' while still following good social etiquette. In fact, being socially inept is far from keeping it real, when this is a public forum which involves social interaction.

wow ... validation

[jundp 191]

I understand what you're saying S and J, and I haven't been around several months to know of the original issue, but.... Though this is a public forum, and I agree that perhaps people shouldn't necessarily air everything, I think that most of the responses here are real and not fake. We may not be personal friends with everyone on this board, but we are all in the same boat (or once were) and therefore can understand and empathize with many of the stresses, problems and frustrations.

I saw another thread where CarolsMark came in and said "join the pity party thread" or whatever. What is worse, being empathetic and perceived as fake, or being rude and anti-social?

I just don't understand the need to be rude for no reason. (not you, S and J, but to CarolsMark)

If this made no sense, just ignore me.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Pitty.

Reminds me of bitty, for the UKers/UK SOs out there.... Hehehehe.

Gawd. Can we officially label "troll" now? How many threads does it take?? Amusing, nonetheless.

[mRx 16]

Pitty.

Reminds me of bitty, for the UKers/UK SOs out there.... Hehehehe.

Gawd. Can we officially label "troll" now? How many threads does it take?? Amusing, nonetheless.

I wouldn't say he is a troll. He is just very confrontational. Not a bad trait, in my book.

[MichelleandCraig 1]

Confrontational can be ok, sure. He goes way beyond that IMO...smacks of bein' a lil' "not quite right" or otherwise in an altered state...

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I understand what you're saying S and J, and I haven't been around several months to know of the original issue, but.... Though this is a public forum, and I agree that perhaps people shouldn't necessarily air everything, I think that most of the responses here are real and not fake. We may not be personal friends with everyone on this board, but we are all in the same boat (or once were) and therefore can understand and empathize with many of the stresses, problems and frustrations.

I saw another thread where CarolsMark came in and said "join the pity party thread" or whatever. What is worse, being empathetic and perceived as fake, or being rude and anti-social?

I just don't understand the need to be rude for no reason. (not you, S and J, but to CarolsMark)

If this made no sense, just ignore me.

That made sense. I've known Marc through his posts from a long time ago - he's not the best at communicating his thoughts and he tends to come off as combative, but he's not as bad as he wants everyone here to think he is. He has the attitude that if people don't understand him, it's their fault and he's not going to go out his way to be congenial.

I agree with you - we can and should be able to relate to others here and their experiences and even feel empathy, sympathy and compassion. But on the flip side of that (and I'm sure I've been guilty of this as anyone), people will sometimes post personal misfortunes or tragedies that, IMO, cannot be appropriately expressed or acknowledged here. The difficulty is trying to find the right balance of sharing with others, while also keeping healthy boundaries of personal privacy.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

meaning ?

Full glass.

[Mags 112]

Gawd. Can we officially label "troll" now? How many threads does it take?? Amusing, nonetheless.

I wouldn't say he is a troll. He is just very confrontational. Not a bad trait, in my book.

I fear that this thread was started to deliberately BE confrontational. Plus it is the second thread that the OP has started covering pretty much the same subject ( the other was a few months back).

I'm going to lock it for now. If the OP feels that he can be bring some valid reasons to the party regarding fake sympathy etc, then I request that he PMs me and I will consider re-opening this topic.

Thanks all!