Would you send a response to someone who answered your question in an ugly way or let it go?

Question

I asked a simple question and got a stupid response. The mean part of me wants to send her a response and tell her to learn to spell before she writes ugly messages to people. However, the good side of me says to leave it alone. What would you do?

Answer 1

Here you don't respond you just ignore answers that are rude. Remember this is not a chat room.

Answer 2

I replied to a question someone had asked, and she wrote me back and flamed me for answering. She said I didn't know anything about her and what right do I have to answer her like that? Well, she posted the question; she set herself up for a multitude of answers, stupid or otherwise. (It turns out I had misunderstood what she wrote, and once we discussed it, everything was fine.)

Depends on the question and answer. I would not ask a question on here where I had an emotional investment. If I asked, "Why is the sky blue", I'm sure I'd get all sorts of "because it is and you're stupid" responses; that's fine. But I would never say something like, "I want to hurt myself, what should I do" because I am feeling fragile and there are a lot of crude people out there, some who would reply "just end it, you're obviously a loser."

So if the question meant something to you, realize that you opened yourself up to that, but if it's really heinous, I would mention something. But if it was just a general question and the person responded in an inappropriate but ultimately unharmful manner, I'd let it go.

Answer 3

let it go

there'll always be a few "Internet trolls", people who for some reason feel bad either for a minute or days at a time, and will translate this into gratuitous aggression on various forums

there's no protection against this (apart from reporting any real abuse to Yahoo!, who tend not to deal quickly w it, but DO deal w it in the end).

but clearly, because of the way these people function (or do not function), ignoring them is clearly the best defence. whereas if you do react, they'll have exactly what they wanted: a reaction, and have caused harm.

do NOT react to the trolls! ;-)

Answer 4

I know I should agree with everyone else and say no, don't encourage stupid behavior. But then again, if nobody is letting these people know how ignorant they're being, then it won't stop. I've done it before. I'm not saying you should just be outright rude, but maybe just let them know the deal.

Answer 5

I saw the question and answer you're talking about and you probably shouldn't say anything to her, even though it is very tempting, but personally I'd ask her why she was being rude. She doesn't know why you asked that question. What I'm wondering is though, is why she answered a question that she thought was "stupid" in the first place.

Answer 6

I agree. It's not always what is said, but how it is said. I'd let it go. Guess that person gets a kick out of making others feel inferior. What comes around goes around.

Answer 7

I would just let it go. Someone actually reported my response the other day because I told THEM that they needed to learn how to spell. I even said "please".
If you have bad luck like me, they'd probably report you for saying something back.
Just let it go. Karma my dear, karma. :)

Answer 8

I would ignore it, there is an awful lot of that on here and if you let it, it will drive you crazy! Just be the better person and let it go.

Answer 9

Leave it alone. Why waste the effort and validate the other person.

Answer 10

address the answer
not the typing or spelling skill
make it relevant