It comes with the territory. I write, I’m lucky enough to have some of it published, it enters the dark world of social media and well, readers give their opinions.
I do not have a thick skin. When I first started having my work critiqued on Facebook by strangers, I wanted to cry. I also wanted to respond with some strong language, find out where they lived, so I could confront them and tell them exactly why they were so ridiculously stupid.
And then I came to my senses.
The blog world is lovely place to be. In the blog-o-sphere people get to know you. It’s mostly a safe place with the best intentioned readers who are supportive, understanding and intelligent.
Published articles on social media are the opposite. For the most part:
- People do not read the entire article but, either skim it or just read the title, and assume they know exactly what it’s about and therefore can comment with a very strong opinion.
- Commentors do not know me or what I’m about. They assume I’m a brainless wonder with muscles who runs.
These days, instead of getting upset, I just laugh. Now, I would be lying if I said this was easy. Sometimes I have to stop myself from reading too many bad comments and, some days, a particularly harsh one will stay with me. But, for the most part, I let it roll and now, we can all laugh together.
Here are some of the best (meaning worst!) comments I have received on my articles or periscopes:
RunHaven
National Anthem Etiquette: Should Women Remove Their Hats?
You see the issue with this one right away, don’t you? The article is about whether or not women should remove their hats at the start line of a race when the National Anthem is played! Not in general, not during a baseball game, but specifically at the start of a race.
Commence shit storm.
The following is a small fraction of the 100+ comments this post recieved. Most of them called me un-American and a lot of them questioned how I was raised and where. #merica
“Is this even a question? You call yourself a patriot? Sounds like vanity is playing a key role in what should be a no brainer. Shame on you.” – – She’s saying that part about vanity since I noted I would look like Eddie Munster if I took my hat off before a race start.
“Not sure how and where you were raised but this is America and we remove our hats when the athem comes on. Period.” No, I’m not correcting grammar because that would not be fun, would it?
“Not even a question and shame on you RunHaven for publishing.” I also love when they attack the publication.
“Do you also wear a hat to a funeral?” Um, WTF does one have to do with the other?
I think it’s important to note that I RARELY ever see a woman take her hat off at the start of a race and I have raced approximately 300,000 races. I’m not saying you bitches are lying but…you are. Stop it.
Women’s Running Magazine
7 Unhealthy Habits of Healthy People
This is the list, in case you forgot…
So, this originally appeared in this space and the title was “7 Unhealthy Habits of A Healthy Athlete” and I was talking specially about myself in a place where you all know and love me. So, by changing the title and shooting it off to the masses, this happened:
“Can we please stop reinforcing bad habits and calling them good and giving more people reasons to be unhealthy?”
“I’m not buying that the author is as fit as she claims.”
“I love my thigh gap.”
“This article should just be titled ‘7 unhealthy habits people’ – – obviously you are either an editor or the grammar police, because that IS a much better title.
[Tweet “Best of the worst comments on #social #media. You have to read them to believe it! #bloglife #freelancewriting”]
Runner’s World Zelle
What I Learned About Racing After Having Twins
The overwhelming amount of comments on this article, and any article I post to this site, are positive. Which is why it’s even funnier when I got these two, the latter of which was written by A MAN!
“No ones business but hers. Some wouldn’t do it and some would. That is totally irrelevant to her life” – – I don’t even know where to begin with this one. The article is supposed to be motivating to other moms and it was obviously extremely relevant to my life. I am actually only now writing about things irrelevant to my life, like your comment, so perhaps you were predicting the future?
“Sprint? Olympic? Half-iron? Iron? Not sure how impressed I should be about this with an athletic woman” – – Dude. When you have a vagina, we can talk. However, while you still have a penis and have never experienced nine months of pregnancy culminating in having two humans cut out of your body, I will assume you are as clueless as this comment makes you sound.
Periscope
Ah, the newest way to be insulted on social media is via live video. Like everything else I’m writing about today, I brought this on myself. If you don’t know what Periscope is, it’s the demon child of Twitter wherein any user can create an account and, with a few tidbits of info, can blast any kind of live video nonsense to everyone who follows you…or doesn’t, but has access to Periscope.
The only saving grace is that the videos only live for 24 hours before they vanish. Of course there are already sites set up to save every last one, or you can simply chose to have them saved, so really they live on forever like everything else on the web.
My very first scope was pooloside and yes, I was in my bathing suit but it’s a lap suit and nothing at all like a bikini. I was also filming from the waist up.
Anyone watching the “scopes” can type any comment they desire into the text window so you and everyone else who is watching sees it.
Other then this being an extremely flattering shot of me, it’s also a representation of how scoping works and what is displayed on the screen. Our prompt on this day was “books” so of course I opened with how talking about books is fantastically boring.
These were some of my first comments from the swimming scope:
“Zzzzzz”
“Boobs!”
“U r hot”
After encouragement like that, I did another one on what not to do in spin class:
“Can you please flex one time?”
“Damnnnnn grrrrlllll you so fit.”
Clearly, I was changing lives with my scopes so I did yet another one on cross training for injured runners:
“You run 20 miles at one time?”
“When I’m running I get a boner that won’t go away, can you help?”
[Tweet “The best of the worst #Periscope comments. Get your game face on! #socialmedia “]
So, imagine having to talk through these comments and pretend like you’re not reading them and that no one else is seeing them. It’s like trying to have a conversation with a toddler in a toy store. Not happening.
After that last one I figured out how to block the trolls and my scopes have been better for it. Perhaps a tad more boring but a lot more comfortable for all involved.
Bottom Line
I love my job and I’m grateful that people actually pay me to write about running and fitness. The more haters gather ’round my words, the more they are being read and distributed. Hate on! I can take it.
What is the worst comment you have ever received, either online or in person?
How do you handle the haters?
Which is your favorite comment and why?
This is quite fantastic! With negative commenters, I’m usually wondering if they are purposely trying to say stupid things to get a reaction or if genuinely stupid. Any satire article usually results in a slew of comments about how wrong the author is. I guess no one has my wicked awesome sense of humor?!? And Periscope – ugh! You’ve had it bad! I’ve had one – wanted to know if my husband was home. Ewwwwwww.
So true! On Periscope I definitely think it’s just to get a reaction. They are probably like 12 year-old boys or something. Learning how to block them has been key to me continuing on Periscope and with this challenge!!!
Those comments on periscope are probably why I don’t get into it. I think negative comments come with the territory. I love how you approach it though and take it all with a grain of salt.
At first it was like “whoa! what the heck?” but now I just block them and move on. You have to take it all with a grain of salt if you want to survive 🙂
I find the negative comments the most amusing! And also sad…this is how people spend their time? But yeah, it comes with the territory and it’s something you’ve got to be ready for if this is how you want to pursue a living!
They really can be very entertaining! I know you took a hilarious beating over telling people what’s most annoying at races. You were RIGHT ON but oh how they took offense! No selfies in the middle of the race? How dare you! 🙂 LOL
Wow, some of those are just ridiculous! It is tough to open yourself up to critique and it’s amazing what some people will say behind the curtain of a computer screen. Good for you for learning to laugh at it and not stop you from doing what you love 🙂
Ah yes, the keyboard and screen makes for some very brave souls! Thanks Beth 🙂
Oh my gosh who are those periscope people!?! I tried it one time and filmed Beto Perez talk about how he started Zumba. No one watched so I decided it was a supremely stupid form of social media and gave up. Haha. But after comments like that I wonder if I should get back in the game?
I don’t get a lot of mean comments on my blog or Facebook but I get a ton of mean ones on my FREE full-length workout videos on YouTube. Most of the time I want to respond with “well, if you PAID me for this video, perhaps the music/quality could be better.” But the worst was when some girl wrote that white girls can’t dance on my Zumba video. Now I just delete and block users who make negative comments. #noshame
OMG I remember that one on your YouTube. That was just so wrong on so many levels but, as you said, it’s FREE! I mean, just stop watching!? People are nuts. And yes, with Periscope, my most watched ones have been when I’m actually teaching people something like setting up a bike trainer or what not to do in spin class was popular. Now that I know how to block people in the moment, I have almost no trolls 🙂 You should try it again. I want to see what life is like in Brazil and, of course, 24 hours of Cooper!!!
I have one reader (who I believe is an older gentleman) who has repeatedly emailed me to ask me to stop using “those moving pictures” (better known as animated GIFs) in my posts because he finds them distracting and gets angry and gives up. I like to imagine him angrily shaking his fist at kids and telling “GET OFF MY LAWN” as well. I get the occasional negative comment on my Women’s Running posts, but I can usually see where people are coming from and how what I’ve written could be misconstrued. Not always, but usually.
You’ve just given me even more reasons to never join Periscope, as if the fact that it’s one more social media channel I don’t have time for is not enough.
OMG that is too funny! Especially since I think you are KNOWN for the perfect placement of your animated GIFs! The fact that he actually takes the time to personally email you is just insane.
You of all people should be on Periscope! Imagine what you could have done with your recent trip!! Oh I see, you want to keep Dave Matthews all to yourself. Whatever. I get it. 🙂
Wow! People are so nasty and negative. All this means is that you are reaching an audience beyond just your family and friends which is an awesome thing. Also that you are writing about topics that people have strong opinions about which tells me that you have guts! People on Social Media and in life can some times be so miserable and love to take you down. This is in no way a reflection on you, but is a reflection on them. “How people treat you is their Karma, how you respond is yous” -Wayne Dyer. Be proud of these awesome articles and fart on unhappy people.
“and fart on unhappy people” – – OMG that is hilarious! Thank you Lisa. I could not agree more!!
Ok, so I actually haven’t gotten a negative comment yet…. and a few months ago my son said to me, “Mom, I’m not going to consider your blog any type of success until you have a hater.” So I’m still waiting for a hater…. You on the other hand, are a massive success!!!! For you to take any of these negative comments seriously, they would at the minimum need to have proper grammar. You’re awesome….the end….publish more!!
LOL, can I tell you how much I love your kids? They come up with the funniest lines. But, he may be disappointed since the blog is usually a safe place with people who really get to know you and care about your purpose. However, if you keep writing for Women’s Running and Zelle, your bound to get yourself at least one hater 🙂 He will be so proud of you!
Thanks, as always, for all your support and encouragement! MUAH!
oh geez, i can’t believe some people! but then again yes i can. it’s just crazy. i have to look for the funny in it.
for me, i actually had some haters when i joined this running club back in 2011 – i had literally just started running after my back surgery in 1999 and felt SO happy to be able to walk or run at all! when i started training, i guess somebody thought i was racing or trying to be competitive and started saying comments on the side about me thinking i was somebody. i thought that was just plain stupid – i was lucky i was even running! any speed was shear luck or silliness on my part. i know i had a fast run here and there, but i also know what i’m dealing with: two rods in my back. my competitive running days do not exist, so anyone thinking i’m some running snob is just clearly and EEJIT as my Scottish friends would say 😀 yes all haters are eejits!
You have to just laugh it off although comments about your running when recovering from back surgery are just ridiculous!! I will have to agree with the “eejits” comment 🙂
I have never been on the receiving end but always find negative comments baffling, and also things live on the internet forever, so post with discretion! I get the most amused when strangers start fighting over the internet. Sometimes on facebook I will start reading the commentary on a hot topic and am perplexed by the amount of energy some people channel into it and also disgusted how some can be so disrespectful or vulgar to someone with a differing opinion. The internet truly brings out the crazies!
OMG that is SO true! I just sit and read with my mouth hanging open. I have one word for those people “unfriend!” So crazy.
Oh the heck…I’m supposed to be working but wonder if my boss next door heard me laughing. People are fidiots and have way too much free time.
My blog is on life support at best, but you make me wanna work for some haters. Ha! The best I’ve got is someone commenting on how I should smash my testicles between two plates and then we could talk. Umm, I’m a girl, and it was a response to my post on my first mammogram. Fidiots, I tell you. 😉
Now I’m laughing!!! So glad I don’t have a boss in the next room – just kids 🙂 You are so awesome. Thanks for this!
People can be so awful online. I highly doubt they would say any of that stuff if they were talking to you in person! I’ve never gotten a negative comment online, but I’ve gotten a few in person, that are usually disguised as “jokes”. When I was training for my first marathon, I went camping with my husband (boyfriend at the time) and his family. There was a steep hill that we had to walk up to get to our camp site, and we were all panting when we got to the top. My husband’s uncle said to me, “If you’re that out of breath after this hill, there’s no way you can run a marathon!” He was joking I guess, but he said it in such a matter-of-fact way that I felt really defensive. I crushed that marathon and ran 6 more, so I guess the joke is on him 🙂 And yes, steep hills still get me out of breath!
I hear you! I’ve gotten way too many passive aggressive comments like that to mention. You showed him for sure – 7 times over!!! And guess what? Losing your breath like that, while walking up a hill or stairs or any incline, happens to everyone!!!!
Why is it that people who post negative comments never use proper grammar? I will never comprehend the urge some people possess to comment negatively on articles. My blog post on the benefits of beer for runners ended up on a Reddit form and some people accused me of secretly being Redhook Brewery trying to get people to buy their products.
People are unintelligent and paranoid! That is really weird. Why would you be working as a secret agent for Red Hook? That makes zero sense but it’s a great story and yet another example of how delusional some people can be online. Thanks Laura!
Oh those negative comments. I like Laura’s observation that negative commenter NEVER use proper grammar! But the gentleman who doesn’t know whether or not to be impressed with your tri because he doesn’t know the distance – HA! Asshole. I don’t have a thick skin either and while I love love love getting comments on my blog, I never read comments when I post somewhere else, especially a bigger site. I don’t understand why people chose to spend their time and energy in this way and you know that it reflects more on them than on you. And Periscope…oh Periscope. It is like trying to ignore my kids while carrying on a conversation with my husband or another adult – IMPOSSIBLE
If I ever get something posted to a BIG outlet like you have, I will absolutely NOT read the comments either. The bigger the stage the more crazies come out.
And you are right on about Periscope! And have you seen today’s prompt? It’s “ask me anything!” Oh hell no.
HA! I think I will be skipping today on Periscope 🙂
Ok so I’m totally obsessed with your posts. You are so real and of course I love that you’re a fellow twin mom. Social media is a horrific beast sometimes, and then sometimes it’s just plain amazing. I recently had an instagram troll that posted on about 50 pictures saying things like “get a tan” to “nice glasses grandma”. I’m pretty sure it was a 14 year old child, so all I could do was laugh and delete, but why do people think it’s ok to say things like that???? Keep on being your amazing self!
Thank you so much for saying that and yes, us twin moms need all the support we can get 🙂
I’ve never heard of such crap on Instagram!! That has always been a safe haven. Darn it! And you’re right – I’m sure it’s a 12 year-old girl just being “funny” but really?
Thanks for the encouragement. The haters will never win!
Oh my goodness I just love the way your write Allie. This is a fantastic article and definitely points out why we shouldn’t let the comments bother us. Some people just love to hate on others, for some reason it makes them feel good. I just prefer to stay positive.
Thanks Sandra! You are too kind…and nothing like the crazy haters. Sometimes social media brings out the beast in people!
Ha, this was such an entertaining post! People can be such assholes, but really all you can do is laugh about it right? I mean writing, “I love my thigh gap” as a comment is just utterly ridiculous, so it’s kinda funny. I’ve gotten comments from people calling me chubby on social media posts I’ve shared specifically focused on loving your body, but I was more offended by a person leaving comments on recipe posts telling me that I “claim” to be a vegetarian but really am not because I eat cheese. I’m like get a life, and have a nice day ya jerks! 😉
OMG now we have elitist vegetarians? That is so insane.
Yes, the thigh gap comment made me laugh out loud. I think she also included that she has 5 kids or something and that she’s proud of her thigh gap!? At least she has her priorities straight 🙂
OMG, I LOL’d at a lot of these comments, but that Periscope one was the funniest! I guess when you put yourself out there, this kind of stuff goes with the territory. Maybe I should be glad my blog is smallish and hasn’t caught on to the big time. The worst I get are spammers posting about dreams and mystics…
Yes, that’s what happens and sometimes it’s super funny! I def get the dreams & Mystics weirdo stuff too 🙂
Oh man. I didn’t know whether to shake my head in disgust or laugh when I read half of these. It is amazing to me how mean and not constructive some people can be when they share comments. It is more than appropriate to disagree or have a different opinion, but there are productive and positive ways to share a new, different or opposing view that anyone can learn from. A lot of this boils down to exactly what you said … people not taking the time to read, not giving the benefit of the doubt, and sadly, often being ignorant or unkind. Sorry you are dealing with this. xo
Exactly! And, don’t be sorry, it’s hilarious!
I am so going to start posting inappropriate comments when you are periscope!! I would love if you addressed them some time. It could be very entertaining. I laughed out load to some if these comments. Awesome post!!
That would be hilarious!!! Please do 🙂
OMG, the periscope comments? WTH?! I watched your scope about reading and laughed when you commented on blocking people. As for the hat at the national anthem, I always take mine off. It was engrained in my head when I was in the military though and I have a very strong part of me that still follows through on all of those traditions.
Yes! You were the one who actually told me that in the first place!! I do it at EVERY race now…and think of you 🙂