Troll Cooties
I'm in a McRanty mood today. Not to fear. My rants are like 'I Love Lucy' reruns. You know what's going to happen but you watch anyway.
Trolls: There's such a big wide world of trolls. They come in all sizes, sexes, and degrees. I normally don't suffer from troll cooties. I think it's because when I catch their scent I put on my mean face.
Most of the time I end up with the needy troll. They're harmless for the most part, but holy moley, can they suck the joy out of a room. And if you don't stroke their ego or tell them what a speshul snowflake they are, they get as pouty as a blowfish.
Needy trolls are like duct tape. You can't break free unless you cut them off. They're generally not mean-spirited, but they have no clue that while they're whining about how nobody understands them, you're daydreaming of having your teeth pulled without Novacaine.
At the other end of the spectrum is the creepy troll. These make my skin crawl. There was an old guy on a writing forum I used to visit that had pedophile written all over him.
My friends thought I was overreacting, but seriously, he gave me the creeps. Every time he appeared on the forum, his specious humor and double entendres raised all sorts of flags in my mind.
My friends thought I was overreacting, but seriously, he gave me the creeps. Every time he appeared on the forum, his specious humor and double entendres raised all sorts of flags in my mind.
Last week, I had another guy email me and tell me how cute I was, and could we meet sometime. Yeah, buddy. See my husband first and then the rottweilers.
Some people have no clue whatsoever. Who falls for lines like that?
Maybe I've become jaded over the years. Maybe they're harmless old goats with delusions of manliness. But why take the chance?
How do you handle trolls?
***
And because guessing the title to my upcoming book is harder than I thought, I will add a clue every time I post. Go here to enter the contest.
Today's clue: There are two 'Os' in the title.
Previous clues:
• Something in cover art is integral to the title.
• There are two S's in the third word of the title.
Comments
Here's to a week with no trolls!
If it feels creepy, they ARE creepy. Go with it. If you're wrong, no big deal. If you're right, then your caution just saved you a whole lot of trouble.
Emailed to tell you that you were cute? WTF? Weirdo.
I once had this guy who used to appear wherever I happened to be. (I was about 22 at the time, he was in his 60's with a pornstache) He'd come into my work about 20 times a day, show up at the post office, the grocery store, the laundromat, etc. Then one day he's like "I'm having a New Year's Eve party and wondered if you'd come by?" I'm like, "Um...where and how many people? Do I know anyone you've invited?" He replies "Oh, it's just a party for two." Shudder. No thanks. Finally I told him if I saw him within fifty feet of me I'd call the cops. Took a while and lots of nasty words from me, and a threat from my dad, but he finally stopped hanging around.
My point is, the first time he said hello to me on the street I had a creepy feeling and walked away fast. I was right. You probably are too every time.
Renee: It does seem to be unfair to judge people without getting to know them better but if someone gives me negative vibes, I have to listen to my gut.
Ref: stalker-dudes
I have to wonder how often they're successful. Like spam, someone must take them up on their spiel or why would they continue. That in itself is a sad commentary on their prey.
Angelina: I think we're all born with survival instincts, but not all of us choose to listen. Good for you for getting away from the creep.
Even when my hormones started to spike, I always remembered that and put the brakes on. It saved me from more than one creep.
On the flip side, it also made me aware of true gentlemen and good human beings. I married one of those.
But you're right to run with your gut. That's that instinct kicking in with bells and whistles warning you about things.
Renee brings up an excellent point with parents "forcing" their kids to be nice or speak to someone. I don't make my kids speak with anyone they aren't comfortable with. On the other hand I also don't let them talk to anyone I'm not comfortable with. My gut hasn't been wrong yet.
Raelyn: That's where the last loser came from, Facebook. I think it was a copy and paste job too. He's just playing the odds, I guess. Creep.
Renee: LOL. I kept Greg waiting over a year and he still wanted me. I had to reward such patience.
FB's another challenge sometimes. I unfriend and block annoying people who immediately pop up to "chat" when I log on. Again, I'm there to hang with people I care about and who I can learn from, nothing more.
Block the troll however you can.
Cate: That person in your online class was REALLY strange. Why would s/he think anyone would care? That's fine if he wanted to pretend to be someone else, but don't tell on yourself. I know I'd be crossing him off my list after a stunt like that.
I've learned to be more ruthless in blocking and unfriending people on FB. I'm not chatty even with people I know. I just have too much to do to sit and talk all day.
As for the trolls, well, I'm sure they make great character inspiration. ;)
Raelyn: Now you're talkin'. Roxy would be enough to deter anyone.
Hey, Maria - I left you a little present on my blog. Stop by and pick up up when you can.
Who knows. *shrug* Disinterest is probably a troll's version of hell.
Jenny: I wonder if it's not a control thing on their part. Which is why ignoring them works so well. They can't stand not having an audience.
Sorry you've been pestered by trolls. Always trust your gut, I say. Sadly, the truly creepy aren't always the obvious ones. Have had the misfortune to be in close proximity to two truly troubled people and when there misdeeds were uncovered I was shocked and dismayed. You never know what evil lurkes in the hearts of men.
Wishing you many happy, helpful, and creep-free days ahead.
Sorry you had to deal with creeps too.
I think the old pedophile was a member of one of my groups too. He told us one time that there was a pretty young girl who lived in his neighborhood and every time he saw her, he wanted to "get out his chains and have her stay awhile." *shudder*
Barbara: Sometimes I get angry that my gut tells me someone is dangerous or criminal, but I have no concrete proof to put him away.
Mike: Anyone who wears a cowboy hat is automatically cute. --At least in Texas. :)
Heck, yeah! *G* I have a soft spot for cowboys...
And, though I'm late to the party (that should be my theme song) I agree with the rest: go with your gut. If that fails, see if your dogs like them.
My last dog, Bailey, loved EVERYONE. She never met a stranger. One day, though, we were heading into Petsmart and this guy walked by. He didn't say hi, he didn't even try to pet her, but she backed into me and growled. I know that guy had to be up to no good.... still makes me shiver.
Intincts are there for a reason.
But I never discount that the stranger could also be dangerous. I trust my pooches.