...and it makes me kind of sad.
What is it that makes me so sad?
I just unfollowed a blog that I've enjoyed in the past. Today's post did it for me. Essentially, the author said that if you're her friend or family member, please comment. If she doesn't know you - don't. "Not cool" is the final sentence in her post.
Why am I pissed about this? Look, if you don't want anyone to follow you, make your blog private. If you don't want comments from people who don't "know" you, turn off comments or moderate them. But, for Christ's sake, don't slap your followers' wrists for commenting. I honestly don't remember if I've ever commented on her blog, but I'm sure the hell not going to follow a blog where the whole world has been told people who don't know her aren't welcome. And it's a shame, because she's got a neat blog and I've enjoyed some of her posts. All I can say is that it'll be a cold day in Hades before I ever visit that blog again.
The worst part about the whole thing is that now I'm second-guessing my desire to comment. I've always assumed that because I love comments other bloggers do, too. I personally like the interaction. I'll typically follow someone and lurk for a bit before I comment, but on ocassion I'll see something that I just have to comment on during my first visit. I mean, exchanging comments is how I've met some of my best blogging buddies. Blogging has made the world a lot smaller (in a good way) for me. I love meeting new people, even if it's via the internet.
So...what's your take on a blogger telling people not to comment unless they know you personally? Am I wrong in assuming that other bloggers enjoy comments?
20 comments:
I am sorry that happened to you. I am happy to hear of someone else actually "Un following" someone. I did that last year and it did hurt my heart to do it. I really enjoyed that gal and her fabulous horsey...she really inspired me too...I sent her a gift once- to remind her of her horsey as she was to be away for a long time...I do not regret that at all, but I had to stop following her after she answered one of those question meme's...
boy- I was so shocked at her hating kids and parents and almost everything..cussing up a storm about things that I maybe don't even have but...it was so judgmental- it made my spirit sick inside.
So, sometimes..it just happens and those with such poor taste to mention crap- as your "now dead to you blogger and mine"..well- there are so many really- really- COOL BLOGGERS out there( like us) that love people...lets give them the reads and comments...they, like me, love a good ol' comment!
Xo
KK with Wa mare!
Comments rock! I love, love them! If I didn't, I'd do like you said, and set it to private. Sounds strange, the chastising folks not related or not friends for commenting. Too bad for her, methinks.
It does seem a bit bizarre. Is she maybe a new blogger, and maybe doesn't know how to turn off comments?
I personally love comments, even ones that disagree or offer another point of view (long as it's respectful). I used to be very, very addicted to constantly checking for new comments, but have undertaken a 12 step progamme and now just check a couple of times a day! ;o)
Say... as a relative, am I REQUIRED to comment? Even if I don't have anything to say? Like now maybe? Bill
Whoa! I'm like Quixotic; I might not check my email often, but I AM looking for those comments and find I'm very disappointed when none show up. Things go through my head like: "Didn't I write it well?" or "Isn't this interesting to anyone else?" or "Did I make them all mad?" or "Please tell me I didn't scare them away from horses!" Love comments!
Juanita
I'm just going to go ahead and say that thing people don't want you to say....what a bitch!! I can't imagine anything so rude as to slap your loyal followers in the face by telling them they aren't worthy of commenting if they don't "know you" personally. It is one of the great joys in my life to see that someone has given me some comment love!! =) She doesn't deserve your fellowship, for sure. I recently had to unfollow someone, as well, and it really sucked because her blog was always SO entertaining the rest of the time!! I had even given her a blog award because I thought that much of her work. Then she has to go off with some verbal diarrhea about people who belong to a certain fanpage on Facebook, and I happen to be a part of that group. Wouldn't have been too bad, except that the title of her post was "You're Fucking Stupid and I Want To Slap You", or something to that effect. I didn't even know how to respond at first, then decided to just leave the a-hole to her stupidity. Didn't stop me from having a less than classy moment in her regard on my next blog post, but that's not the kind of thing I can keep bottled up. LOL And now that I've totally gone off and rambled for an hour, I'll let you get back to your day. xD (Sorry 'bout that!!) Don't worry, you're doing the right thing. She's a total douchecanoe!
wow! I love comments and I have met the most amazing women through my blog. (present company included) I get sad if I don't get many comments. It's like talking with friends you don't get to see often.
What?!?! I love interaction and meeting new friends (which I plan to actually do in REAL LIFE too - from my blog!) So discouraging comments is completely bizarre and counterintuitive to the whole "express yourself via blogging" thing.
Sorry that happened...!
That is a pretty bitchy thing to do. If you only want certain readers, make it private. Sheesh.
I'm sorry that you got treated that way. Obviously she doesn't understand blogger etiquette.
I love comments. I get so excited when someone comments, anyone. I just can't wait to see that little comment notice pop up on my phone. It makes me smile every time. :)
Yeah, I'm thinking the term "f-tard" might be appropriate here. Like you said - make your blog private if you don't want "strangers" commenting.
She's obviously not worthy of your comments GunDiva!!!
What a bitch and so not worthy of your blog love Diva!!!
I love comments! And as you said, I'd assume, if someone's blog is public, they too want readers and comments, whether they are real life friends and family or not. How strange! I too would have stopped following.
There's not much I can add to what's already been said other than to say that it appears that the unnamed bitchy blogger is the exception to the rule in terms of blogger outlook and is also a misanthrope who needs to go become a hermit on a deserted island. Preferably a deserted island that long ago sank into the ocean.
I think Blogger just ate my comment....Anyway, here's another one.
I've never heard of a blogger not wanting comments. Sounds like she needs to set her blog to private.
That is a totally crappy way to treat your blog-friends! I am WAY guilty of not commenting, but I've never been disciplined for commenting in the first place before. I say, good riddance. If she only writes for people she already knows...why not just pick up the doggone phone?? Honestly, she sounds like a self-centered witch, but hey, maybe it's just me. You can comment on my blog anytime you want :)
Thanks for all of your comments. I'm certainly not going to slap your wrists for it. I like talking to y'all!
All I can figure is that she lives in her own little world and hasn't bothered to learn any of the joys of the interaction.
Anyway, I appreciate you all and feel free to comment away; I'll continue to comment on yours.
It is a shame people can be so rude without even realizing it.
I have encountered a similar issue with a blog I follow, I commented and the person never acknowledged me, and made snarky comments about people she "didn't know" trying to talk to her.
I also love comments and interaction (except for the 1 anonymous one--but I blocked those kind from now on).... It helps for people to support you, or have similar stories to share, so we don't feel alone in the world.
That pic of the little girl on the horse was cute as it can be!!
sheesh!!!!
the nerve.....
floozy!!!!!
there nough said....
I got your back... :o)
I LIVE for comments. I feel the same way as allenspark. If I don't get comments I wonder whether I wrote like crap, or it was uninteresting, or maybe I offended someone? I love Love LOVE comments.
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