Today I took a long look at myself and told myself that my Twitter etiquette could be improved.
What we say on Twitter is visible to every one of our followers. Keep that in mind!
With that said arguing with both Twitter and Blogging acquaintances can be tempting, but it’s not something I recommend anyone do.
Some things are just left best unsaid.
Arguing on Twitter is inappropriate etiquette.
You’re having a bad day, someone says something that offends you, they misunderstand something you’ve written in blog comment and begin to attack you and before you know it you find yourself in a blogging feud. That feud then gets moved to Twitter and now you’ve begun to engage in a Twitter feud.
Depending on that persons follower list the potential for harm can be great especially if they get involved or maybe they don’t get involved. Instead maybe they’ll just vote you off Twitter by giving you the cold shoulder.
Do you remember high-school when there were cliques? One moment you could be part of the clique, but have a disagreement with one of the cool kids and see how fast you’re kicked out of the clique.
Social networking operates in much the same manner. One moment you can be in and the next moment you can be on the sidelines watching.
I had a recent spat myself with someone via Twitter. It was all caused, because I left a comment on a Blog post about my experience with Bluehost. The blogger was an affiliate of BlueHost and took great offense to my negativity of the company.
Some people have a hard time tolerating different opinions. Before you know it your comment deteriorates into a bloggging feud thus sidetracking from the original topic of the post.
When this happens sometimes the best response is no response. When you allow yourself to be provoked into an emotional response like I did you are allowing that individual to get the better of you.
In the heat of an argument we too often say things we later regret, things which can not be unsaid.
Because of the public nature of Twitter, everyone who was following me last night was able to track my “conversation.”
I’d like to think I’m a mature and civilized individual, but last night I did not behave like one.
I’ve recently developed a sense of what to do and what not to do on Twitter.
1.Share too much of my personal life.
2. Argue on Twitter. ( I need to keep any personal disagreement out of Twitter.)
I’d like to apologize to the 600 + people following me via Twitter who saw my conversation last night with this person in their stream.
I’m well aware you’re not following me to see me lose my temper.
For that I do apologize.
Today is a new day. I hope you will allow me to start over with a clean slate.
Pass the chalk!
Rose DesRochersRose wears many hats. She's a wife, mother, respite worker, proud shih-tzu owner, blogger, published poet, freelance writer, as well as the owner and administrator of Today's Writing Community and Blogger Talk Blog Community. Feel free to contact her with any questions you may have.Rose DesRochers has 1216 post(s) at Rose DesRochers – World Outside My Window
RSS
Subscribe
28 responses so far ↓
Wrote: Jan 5, 2010 at 9:10 pm
I agree with you. Putting negativity on our Twitter stream is not good.
My personal favorite is to put quotes, sayings, proverbs, or wise-words on Twitter. They are short but they can mean big.
Isaac | GoBlogger´s last blog ..Pagerank (Matters or Not) and Perspective
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
I often RT and posts quotes too, but I try not to overdo it.
Wrote: Jan 5, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Hi Rose. I feel for you. I understand how *easily* these conversations can get out of hand. If it’s any consolation, only the people who follow you who also follow whomever you had that conversation with could see the conversation. (I personally, did not witness it.)
Alternatively, if someone happened to view your tweet history, they could catch up there. Don’t be too hard on yourself. We are human… and it takes two to tango. “I hope you will allow me to start over with a clean slate.” <=== That applies to you too… for yourself. Hugs.
Davina´s last blog ..Mother Nature Waits for Nobody
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Thanks Davina, I realize we are all human & we all make mistakes. I just wish I learn when to shut up. lol
Wrote: Jan 5, 2010 at 9:45 pm
I missed your feud, but caught the one right before Christmas with the mom bloggers vs. the one who questioned one of the mom bloggers [actually made the Today Show and other cable news networks]. Unfortunately, all of those involved were guilty of the same thing [not hearing what the other was saying] and it flew out of control with banning of accounts and false accusations [on both sides]. I kept my mouth shut and hid under the covers – not really about the covers.
Anne´s last blog ..I Always Admired Mr. Franklin, But Now I Truly Respect Him
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
I read something about all that. Glad I missed it!
Wrote: Jan 5, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Twitter, even more than blogging, is SO prone to misunderstanding that short of a directed comment, it just ain’t worth it.
Roger Green´s last blog ..Y is for Yankees
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 12:39 am
Ok, I am unfollowing you now!
Keith´s last blog ..6 Twitter Do’s and Don’ts:
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 12:41 am
Not trying to make light of it Rose, but if we can’t laugh sometimes…..
I was part of that too so I am sorry…
Keith´s last blog ..6 Twitter Do’s and Don’ts:
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:40 am
No need to apologize and thank you for defending me.
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 12:57 am
I don’t think I’ve ever had an online argument. That’s one of the things I like about online conversations, it gives you time to think before putting your foot in your mouth.
Sire´s last blog ..Why I Will Never Be A ProBlogger
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Not all of us think before we run our fingers across the keyboard. lol
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 1:36 am
Ah, mark it down as a learning experience. You’re doing great! You’re very friendly to me on Twitter.
Gordie´s last blog ..How Self-confidence Can Strengthen Your Lifestyle Design And Personal Development.
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Thanks Gordie. Lesson learned!
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 1:49 am
@Rose DesRochers: I wonder who tends to run their fingers over the keyboard before thinking, women or men?
Sire´s last blog ..A Blogger’s Opinion Is Highly Valued
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Well let me see. My argument was with a man, so I’d say- Both!
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 2:02 am
@Rose DesRochers: Well he’s an idiot Rose. Everyone knows you can’t win an argument with a woman
Sire´s last blog ..Embracing The Difference In Fellow Bloggers
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 2:12 am
ROFL! Thanks Sire! I needed a laugh!
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 2:39 am
@Rose DesRochers: No worries Rose, my one goal in life is to keep my women smiling
Sire´s last blog ..Top 7 Reasons Why People Don’t Return To Comment On Your Blog
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 2:07 pm
I couldn’t agree more strongly with the “don’t argue” recommendation. I wish more people would take that piece of advice. Its the fastest way to watch your follower numbers drop by the hundreds. Sometimes, for the sake of business, you have to agree to disagree and then stop engaging the other. It takes 2 to Tango.
May 2010 be your best year ever!
Kimberly Castleberry´s last blog ..Brand your Emails for Free Using Wisestamp
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
Thankfully I did not lose any of my followers.
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 3:08 pm
I really gets me that some people cannot have a different view or opinion without attacking the other person. I love certain programs as a user and an affiliate but if someone says that had a bad time with one of them I would just see it for what it is, a difference of opinion and experience.
I really like your writing style Rose, always find the flow of your posts interesting.
Regards,
Karl
Karl Foxley´s last blog ..My Number 1 Tip For Achieving Your Blogging Goals
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
I hope so. lol I just shared my experience on one of your posts.
Wrote: Jan 6, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Like everything online, it is important to pause five seconds before hitting that submit button. If your mother’s response is to wash your mouth out with soap, then maybe you should edit that comment, eh?
Someone once told me to never apologize online because things are always retrievable and part of your online record… but on the flipside, saying sorry is being human. Thanks for being human.
Ari Herzog´s last blog ..Satisfying Saturday: 7 Ways to Praise Tweeting Birdbrains
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 6th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Ari, I don’t believe I mention cursing anywhere. No part of my comment that started all this was abusive in anyway. I spoke of my experience as a Bluehost Customer and nothing more.
Ari says, “Someone once told me to never apologize online because things are always retrievable and part of your online record.”
Inappropriate behavior is also retrievable.
Before anyone starts judging me i think it is important to point out that:
I was wrongly attacked for sharing my experience. I defended myself. I’m not apologizing for defending myself. I’m apologizing for my partaking in an argument that should have been taken private.
I am a responsible adult who has no problem admitting my mistakes.
Wrote: Jan 7, 2010 at 12:25 am
I dunno Rose. On one hand my head is nodding with you. On the other hand my heart won’t follow along. If it weren’t for Twitter immaturity I never would have discovered the truth about who was harrassing me on my blog. I NEVER would have guessed it was family if they hadn’t taken their crap to Twitter. 5+ years of it! They’re eating my dust now, and thanks to Twitter I can make sure they taste it good.
In a perfect world we’d all be perfect all the time.
I watched your tweets last night and darlin’ you kept it in check. So you were unnerved, you had every reason to be AND you have every right to express it. Love your itty bitty flaws Rose. They are gems compared to the rest of us and ours. (flaws I mean)
cheer up, youse a good person thru and thru.
Rose DesRochers Reply:
January 7th, 2010 at 12:35 am
Hazel, I’m glad you found out. I can see your point. Glad to hear you like my flaws. lol I guess they keep me different from the rest.
Wrote: Aug 31, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Rose,
I have seen and been involved in online squirmishes (hey, spelling not my thing-like Michale Port).
Truth is always in the eye of the beholder, it is subjective. Yet, that very word is where folks will argue.
Saying” it’s the truth”. According to who?
I love your giving your voice and apology. We all learn from our mistakes (at least the smart ones do).
Laughing out loud as someone here actually started an argument with me a year ago on twitter, giggle.
I love that we can stand up and share our transparent moments.