Ask the audience

[andrewducker]

Let's say I've been involved in something, with people I like, who do things differently to the way I like to do them, sufficiently that I find it near-impossible to do it with them.

I find myself filled with angst, rage and bile - but also with an understanding that these people aren't doing anything wrong - because they _enjoy_ doing things their way.

So, as per usual, my hindbrain is writing LJ entries about the thing, and my feelings about it, but the social secretary part of my brain is shouting "Oh Noes! Not teh drama!" and leaping for the cutoff switch.

[Poll #890692]

Comments

[surliminal.livejournal.com]

What HAVE you been doing tonight???

[octopoid-horror.livejournal.com]

Anything but option four would suggest a certain amount of being a drama queen, if it involves online folk.

[octopoid-horror.livejournal.com]

Rant = OMG t3h drama!

Tactful rant = easily misinterpreted = OMG t3h drama!

Rant, filtered = cut and pasted or otherwise passed on chinese whispers style = OMG t3h drama

[andrewducker]

Yes. I know that. Hence considering not posting it at all.

Just because some people will overreact to something doesn't mean I should avoid talking about it.

[bohemiancoast.livejournal.com]

How about

"Rant in an entertaining way, prefacing the rant with an explanation that you *know* you're being totally unreasonable because this is just a matter of personal preference."

[andrewducker]

Cheers - best advice so far. Or at least the advice most in common with what I feel like doing :->

Because I do know that this is just a matter of personal preference/style and I don't expect other people to fit in with my style any more than I intend to fit in with theirs.

[andrewducker]

For instance - taking a quick look at your journal, you've recently mentioned hating Christmas, the music at Ascension being a bit arse, and Dark City not having any music you liked. Any of that could easily have started drama...

[octopoid-horror.livejournal.com]

I have a very different friends list to you. And you don't know just who can see those posts aside from you ;-)

[poisonduk.livejournal.com]

Rant quietly! Choose a couple of confidants and just rant at them via E-Mail/on the phone and let them bring you down from your rant tower!

I'm available 7.30 - 17.30 today on the usual email if you need me!

[wychwood]

If it's something that's causing you social difficulties, I think it's worth trying to talk about it calmly. Filtering to exclude them allows you to rant more fully, but ranting tactfully means that they have a chance to hear what you are saying, and potentially adjust their behaviour accordingly.

[ninox.livejournal.com]

I'm most impressed, you are learning! But darn it can cut out some interesting rants.

[laserboy.livejournal.com]

Express emotion in a reasonable way? Being annoyed about something isn't necessarily a rant.

[soon_lee]

"rant, in a reasonably tactful way"

Better out than in as a friend would say, though I' not sure he was referring to opinions.

[pisica.livejournal.com]

Is it my Cthulhu game????? /paranoid

[andrewducker]

Nope. Nothing to do with gaming.