TheRealCallie said:
Interesting. I don't know why I'm bothering to type this, because I know that you would never admit that you're wrong, because I am, in your eyes, a kid. I know that you will continue to rationalize no matter what I say, because that is basic human behavior. And I certainly won't be around to see the results. But maybe it'll make me feel better.
So, let's construct an analogous situation. You feel lonely, so you go to, say, a bar, to meet new people. On your way in, a person you've never seen before approaches you.
Stranger: "Hey, miss. Watch out for rapists."
You: "Um...yes...I know that. Thank you?"
Stranger: "Hm...well, if people like you start coming here, I'll need to find a way to protect you."
You: "I...I...I don't nee--"
Stranger: "I know how easy it would be for a rapist to take advantage of you. All it would take is a few kind words and you'd be eating out of his hand."
You: "Um...it's...kinda rude to assume that I ca--"
Stranger: "Listen. You want respect? Well, if you want me to observe the conventions of basic, polite conversation, like most people do, you have to earn it. Nobody is entitled to respect. I don't have to respect you. Listen to yourself; you sound like an entitled kid."
The above conversation is a slight exaggeration of the situation, but I thought that was necessary, as you didn't seem to have gotten the point the first time around. Is it wrong to feel offense in that situation? Is it wrong to express that? Apparently. Now take this back on to the internet. Believe it or not, the same conventions of conversation are generally observed there. Moreover, being rude on an online forum is one thing, but doing so on a forum designed specifically to be welcoming to lonely people? Interesting.
Well, maybe I am an entitled kid. Maybe it is ridiculous to expect people on a forum designed to treat lonely people with respect to treat lonely people with respect. But another key difference here is that you would have responded to my statement in a completely different way were I your age or older. I wouldn't be "entitled" if I were, say, thirty-five. No, I'd just be asking for some basic respect that you would happily give me.
Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say here is, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that after a year of people who have no idea what I'm feeling like not understanding me, I thought that maybe someone in this community of people who profess to have gone through similar experiences would act towards me as they would like others to have acted towards them in their experiences. I'm sorry that I was naive enough to think that I would be judged not on my age but on who I was. I'm sorry that I feel entitled to be treated as a person rather than an object that needs to be protected.
Regardless. I have taken your words to heart and will no longer demand respect. Feel free to rationalize. Feel free to continue to expound upon my entitlement and immaturity. Feel free to maintain your policy of condescension. I won't be around to see it; I'm closing my account here now. If that's even possible; otherwise, I'll just log off for the last time. Enjoy your forums.
