The newest addition to my list of "things I have learned from Larry Simon": Where to find tips on how to deal with hate mail. This is good stuff, and while I don't get much "hate" mail, I do get the occasional "intense disrespect" mail, so I'm girding my loins (if one can do such a thing in this forum) for the day when the floodgates of Hell open upon me.
First off, let's be clear that I do make a distinction between hate mail and people who disagree with me and e-mail to say so. E-mail me with a legitimate comment or question, no matter how negative, and I typically respond civilly. ....[I]t's not a crime to disagree with me, even if it does speak poorly regarding your judgment. However, if you just e-mail spew, I consider it hate mail....
The fact is, hate mail really doesn't bother me, since fundamentally, if you're not my wife, a member of my immediate circle of family and friends, or a client, I don't actually give a damn about what you think of me. Life's too short to sweat other people's opinion, especially the sort of algae-grazers who have nothing better to do than write hate mail. Really, what useful person has the time for that? So, despite your best efforts, I'm just not likely to collapse into a heap of self-loathing on the basis of your hate mail. Sorry to disappoint; it's just
the way I am.....Honestly, if you're going to take the time to tell me how much you hate me, make some effort to do it in a way that's not going to bore me. I've been called an "asshole" so many times in hate mail that it's just lost all its charm, as have all the major profanities. So, I take points off for profanities, unless they're used in really new and exciting ways.
It's true, while I value all opinions, there are relatively few that really, truly matter to me (my wife, family, friends, and the usual suspects). Disagree with me, loath me, call me names- just don't expect me to be playing Russian Roulette on the living room floor because of it.
