Pixelled

Nile's pixelated life

Stop Explaining Yourself to Trolls

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There are so many people online without anything better to do than get in each others business. It’s sad. A lot of times, this ends up in huge blow ups. I’ve had to experience this level of trolling, and while it took some time, I decided to stop it.

A lot of people feel like they have to explain themselves to others. The thing is, you don’t owe anyone anything online, especially if they don’t personally know you. They are strangers. It doesn’t matter if they follow you, and have followed you online for years. It doesn’t matter that you’re Facebook friends with them for a few months or a few years, you owe them NOTHING.

For all you know, they don’t have 2 legs to stand on when they want to be argumentative. Maybe they’re hypocrites, with a love for arguing for argument’s sake? Who knows, but you do have a choice.

They best choice is:

DON’T FEED THE TROLLS!

Don’t reply to their response. In fact, if it’s on your page or on a thread that you can control, remove their comment. Don’t give them that power over you. In fact, go further by either removing them or blocking them.

There’s so much content being shared online, both positive and negative. It’s so easy to get caught up in a vicious cycle of toxic behavior. The challenge, is to be positive, and cut out what is toxic to you. Social networking was suppose to be a form of entertainment, not a breeding ground of angst and anger.

However, with some people, it’s become a hobby for them to pick on others and start fights. It’s a form of entertainment. So… if that entertainment can’t be had, from them starting shit with you, then they will go elsewhere. It’s simple logic.

Now, if you’ve blocked them, and they come back with sock puppet accounts, or alternate profiles, you should report them for harassment. Make sure to document it, and not give into engaging with them. And if they get to the level of threatening you, consider reporting them to the proper authorities.

Have you encountered trolls on social media? What did you do?

“Please and Thank You” – Stop It, It’s Rude!

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“Please and thank you.”

The intent to be polite is there, but frankly, it’s just plain rude. For the younger crowd, this phrase has become popular, and it’s catching on in the 20s and 30s crowd.

When I was a young girl, I was taught to say “please” and “thank you”- never both in the same phrase. In saying please, I asked politely for some type of favor or object. In saying “thank you”, I was displaying gratitude for obtaining the object.

However, in immediately saying both together, it puts people on the spot. If someone says “please and thank you”, and you have to be out the door for another obligation, as another polite person, who wants to help, you feel guilty that you can’t do what someone asks.

When a Girl Scout comes to the door and tries to sell cookies, and after her little spiel, she says “please and thank you”, she’s being a rude. She’s assuming you’ll buy her tasty cookies because she spent all of 2 minutes telling you what purchasing her cookies will help.

The problem I keep observing is that there are a growing number of people that say “please and thank you”, and they get angry, because they feel entitled to some service being done after saying that phrase. Frankly, it’s a phrase that is becoming abused, even more so by the younger crowd that still haven’t really learned their manners.

Also, the context is always rushed, and doesn’t sounds as appreciative. It seems so blasé.

What can we do about this?


Well, I certainly know I sound like some old crotchety bastard about this, but I wasn’t raised like this, and I never raised my son to be like this. We embrace some old fashion ways, and take the time to say “please” and “thank you” when appropriate… never rushing a “please and thank you.”

Let’s make sure to teach our youth patience and proper manners. We need to also help teach them to be humble and have gratitude. In this day of fast paced technology, we need some things to slow down, so we can fully appreciate each other.

Online Dating: What Not to Use for a Profile Pic

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Online dating is not as easy as it seems. I think more people hookup on Facebook than some of the online dating sites. And there’s a reason for it- most of the guys that participate have no fucking clue on how to fill out their profile or even care. And usually its because they aren’t really serious. The ones that are, take time to fill out their profile, post decent pics, and don’t include “hookups” as part of it.

For the others, I’m not sure if they gave up, but here’s some things no to do specifically in regards to uploading profile pics to an online dating profile.

1 Don’t use Snapchat filters that really distort your face or cover it.

No one wants to see you as a puppy or kitty for your main profile pictures. It’s cute, but people want to see your face. If you do use a filter, use ones that do little to alter your face. If you’re male, probably not going to win any points with other men or women.

2 Don’t be an asshole and post a pic of yourself flipping off people.

It’s not cool. In fact, you look like a dick.

3 Your Halloween costume might be awesome, but post it in other places.

Some online dating sites allow you to upload pics into different albums, and even allow you to connect to Facebook and Instagram. Utilize those types of areas to show off.

4 Don’t dress like a slob.

You’re trying to get a date. Unless the dating site is to attract other slobs, you need to dress decent. You don’t have to have a suit and tie, or a dress, but you should be cleaned up. Most people are trying to look for others who look like they take care of themselves.

5 Tame your facial hair.

Got a beard or mustache, or unruly eyebrows? You don’t need to look clean-cut, but take care of that facial hair. You might not think your beard looks bad, but if it looks like birds nest in it, and looks like it’s not well kept, no one is going to think you’re a catch. Online dating is not a “it is what it is” kind of thing. If you feel like that, then you don’t care enough about yourself or are willing to try to take some care.

6 Put some clothes on!

Sure, your washboard abs or even if you have a semi-decent body might attract people, but if you’re looking to date, and not do the hookup, put some clothes on for your online dating profile pics.

7 When it comes to your online dating profile pic, keep your main ones free of other people and animals.

Yes, even if you have a photo with your mom or sister or cousin or brother or dad… don’t use those. Your potential partner isn’t looking for those, and sometimes it deters people from your dating profile. If you’re a guy, and have a hot gal pal for a bestie, you’re probably going to send the wrong message. A lot of times that message could be that the viewer may believe you’re attached and looking for more partners, or you’re a player. Yeah, it seems dumb, but a lot of people overthink these things. Keep it simple, so you eliminate any potential issues. (On the other hand, you can utilize it to weed out red flags, like paranoia or jealousy issues.)

Also, don’t add your pet to it. They aren’t dating your pet. You can always include those in the spots where the dating site allows you to share more pictures. Tip: Make sure if you do have pictures with other people, to label or add descriptions to them if the dating site allows this.

So, these are just a few things I’ve seen with dating profile pics, that probably shouldn’t be done.

What’s a turn off for you, when you’re looking at dating profile pics?