Negative comments and insults are just part of the culture of the internet. At some point, you are bound to come across someone who completely misses the point and leaves a negative and unhelpful comment.
Or, in real life, someone might insult you to your face. How are you supposed to respond to any of these?
The thing I love about the internet is that you don’t have to respond immediately. There’s no such thing as “quick wit” because you can pause, take a moment or even a day or two, and think it over.
When someone leaves negative feedback or an insulting comment, it’s easy to get riled up and want to respond with a scathing reply.
The thing is, it’s wasted energy.
- You’re not going to change the commenters mind – that is a fact of life. No matter what you say, they have decided that THIS is their point and they’re right. You can’t change their mind
- After leaving it a day, you’ll probably feel that it’s not even worth responding because who cares?
However, I do like to respond to comments. It’s good for the engagement algorithm and I like to have a little fun. So how do I respond?
Well, it drives people crazy. Because I first agree with them, then I add to the joke.
I want you to imagine a four-year-old coming up to you and calling you a poopoo head.
You would laugh at the insult a little bit, even though they’re being really angry and they’re being really frustrated and they call you something which they think is offensive or even hurtful, you kind of laugh at it for two reasons.
First of all, because they’re a child acting out of frustration, it’s almost cute.
You don’t really take their insult to heart. It’s not something that you’re going to really reflect on and think “this child obviously has an incredible insight into my values and they know full well that yeah, deep down I am a poopoo head.”
Secondly, you don’t actually get insulted with all the names the toddler is calling you, because you know they’re just a child. They don’t know anything so it’s impossible for you to take their judgment of who you are.
Basically, if I wouldn’t take advice from you, I certainly am not going to take criticism from you.
I’ll agree with the comment – “Yep, I am a snake oil salesman. Yep, I don’t know what I’m doing. Yep, I might well be a moron.” My opinion of them is so low that I don’t care if they think they’re right. I know myself well enough to know otherwise.
Then, to annoy them further, I’ll add to it. Something like, “If you think this advice is bad, you should read my books” or “You say I’m either stupid or naïve – can I be both?”
Agree and add, it drives people nuts.
If you want to see me respond to these comments in real-time, I’ve got a video here talking through how I deal with comments and insults. PLUS I’m wearing a gold outfit.
