Dear Grumpy Pants,
Just like you think that there are 4 or 5 people that deserve to live, those 4 or 5 people probably have their own little circles of people that they care deeply for and so on. So in reality, there may be all sorts of good people on this planet that deserve a chance to rise to their potential.
I say, take care of your 4 or 5. Destroying the world would probably upset them.
Also, I want you to drink hot cocoa and take yummy naps. And I want you to be a little groovier. Just a little though—I don’t want you to ever stop being you!
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Dear Olga,
My friend has really bad texting and IM manners. They never respond in a timely manner! If they even respond at all! Or they start a conversation and then seemingly walk away while I’m typing away like some fool. Or they text me at 3 AM and get upset if I don’t respond. How do I get them to be more polite?
Thanks,
At Wit’s End
Dear Gentle Reader,
This is a tough one, one that we can all relate to, and, interestingly enough, one that we’ve all done, to some extent. I’ve not returned texts (it’s usually because I have nothing to say in response to said text OR by the time I see the text, a response would be useless). I have walked away from an IM conversation and forgotten to type “BRB.” I’ve done it. It’s happened. There, I said it, and I feel better already!
Again, as I noted in my last column, it’s about consistency. How often is this friend exhibiting this behavior? If it’s occasional, then you may have to let it go. By letting go, I mean understanding that this is what your friend does, and you choose to accept these lapses in politeness because you like your friend.
If it’s a consistent behavioral pattern, though, where you might as well be texting or IMing a ghost, then it’s time to re-evaluate how you to choose to expend your energy.
Or it may very well be that your friend is not a texter. Are you sure this person has even agreed to be your friend?
If so, then they just may not be fans of electronic communication. Balance it out: Is there a medium where both of you can communicate and feel comfortable? Reach out to your friend and let them know that you’re open to trying different avenues of communication with them, including smoke signals, if that’s what it takes. They may be into that, and you’ll both gain a new hobby. Bonding alert!
But in all seriousness, sometimes our friends will not be polite in every interaction with us. It’s up to you to personally decide your limit.
I say, most importantly, let your friend know what’s on your mind before they send you that 100th bizarre, super random text at 3 AM…and you decide to eat your phone in an act of rage.
Olga Navia clearly does not like to be texted at 3 in the morning. Ever. For more of her words of wisdom, check out her blog at allbodiesrise.blogspot.com.