I have been a member here for less than a week and I feel very unwelcome. Maybe it is because I am not as good at being defensive with what I believe. So far it has caused me nothing but stress.
I know that I can sound harsh and have been accused of it often. Here is the problem and I can tell you that I have worked in data processing before there was email and personal computers. When the emails first started our workplace pushed emails instead of phone calls (don’t ask - you would think the personal touch would be better, and as time/years passed they actually came to that conclusion too but email was already ingrained into us).
But, what happened is that there was a lot of discontent because of the tone of emails. I have had many, too many, years of dealing with the harsh, pointed emails of demanding managers (I was a mainframe systems programmer) who had no problem with nasty emails, but in person were totally different people! Yeah, I would say that in the meetings quite often and quite frankly got tired of the duplicity.
Well, we all came to the conclusion that the fast, written words of emails - and now blogs - can indeed sound harsh. Things are written fast as it comes off the brain. What helps sometimes are the emoticons, but sometimes they are not used.
Since I have let so much slide off my back over the years that is my suggestion. If you are bothered by someone’s post - then maybe say you are bothered, or give them a private message and ask what is up. If it is downright rude, you can report them - such as if they use foul language, call you a name (well, I have been called a kafir by muslims and that is the foulest thing to be called in islam - but I didn’t report them - I wear that label with pride! But, most people don’t understand that is a foul word and would dismiss it).
Do the ‘count to 10’ rule if you are really bothered and/or get up and take a walk before responding. I don’t always do that, but it does work when I do practice it (I usually take the walk around the block).
When I first started blogging I would blog with the left wingers - and talk about name calling and bashing! They have no problem calling anyone a name if one doesn’t agree with them. I actually learned a lot from them though. When they resort to that sort of thing it is telling me that #1. they have nothing else - no information, no backup, no research, nothing and #2. it is just them calling me what they are.
So, grow some armor and just start posting. Yes, this might mean you have to do some reading to back up what you assert because not everyone will agree with you and many are not able to agree to disagree.