Comments on: Mean People: When Your Soul Has Been Swiped by the Grinch

By: Elizabeth Lisa Petrulis

Wed, 09 Dec 2015 14:31:55 +0000

Alyson, I read this article and all the comments with interest. Sometime in my past (and it took way too long) I learned not to let other peoples bad days/attitudes ruin mine. Just realizing that negativity is coming out of them and is not, or does not have to be, connected to me was a great relief. But it does still sting some times. Great ideas for responses or lack of responses.

But what I really wanted to say was I enjoyed the illustrations- the portraits you included in this post.

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By: Kathy

Tue, 08 Dec 2015 01:09:32 +0000

The timing on this post is amazing…I had a bad experience with an angry mean customer on the phone from my full time day job. Their words were upsetting and the yelling really shook me up. As a health care professional I could not respond in any way to get this person to talk sensibly. Mean people are out there. It’s hard to deal with. I am thankful to have my art to help me escape from my stressful day job. Someday I plan to leave the stressful job and create art full time. Thanks Alyson for your great ideas and inspiration. Always enjoy your posts!

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By: John M

Mon, 07 Dec 2015 16:21:04 +0000

I definitely delete / block and immediately move onto another task so I forget it. Responding in some way is an opportunity cost spent on some worthless loser.

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By: Victoria

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 01:26:22 +0000

Oh my this is really needed nowdays.
I post my art on reddit sometimes. Reddit has a voting system; upvotes to positive contributions and downvotes for something that is not contributing to the conversation. People use these as a like and dislike button and I get so discouraged when I post a picture and it gets downvotes immediately. Everyone is not going to like my art but it saddens me to see someone would ‘dislike’ it without any constructive criticism.
Meanwhile I posted to the wedding subreddit last year and someone said I looked like ‘ a beige blob’. I reported the person but I actually engaged with them a little; next time number 6 will be enough to tell them to go away!

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By: Theresa Grillo Laird

Sat, 05 Dec 2015 00:25:18 +0000

I used to get tied in knots by the words and actions of mean people. Then someone once asked me do you really want the good opinion of that kind of person? Now I just ignore mean people. I don’t give them any power.

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By: Cindy Williams

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 20:55:23 +0000

The other day I decided to use Periscope for a demo, and someone wrote “Dont quit your day job”. Now, THAT made me laugh because loads of people like my art, lol

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By: Linda Ursin

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 19:18:04 +0000

I usually just leave it alone or get a bit sarcastic. Sometimes I will delete and block, and on some occasions correct those who don’t have their facts straight. If they’re just being nasty, it usually involves cursing and thinking before I respond 🙂

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 18:11:23 +0000

In reply to Kellie Day.

You’re right, Kellie. The more you’re “out there,” the more you open yourself up to the meanness. Good on you for embracing the growth.

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 18:10:10 +0000

In reply to Rebecca Dierickx.

Rebecca: The rest of her email was so rich with insults that I actually kept it in a “special file” for naughty followers. As my husband says, “Why do people spend their time that way?”

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By: Alyson Stanfield

Fri, 04 Dec 2015 18:08:53 +0000

In reply to Maureen.

🙂

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