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Momentary pauses in cyberspace... Why Leave a Comment If You Have No Intention of Coming Back?

Different Stands Out Mug by TET. Available on Redbubble.
Different Stands Out Mug by TET.
View on RedBubble.
I got to thinking about blogs and the fact that anyone can leave a comment to my posts. When someone comments, the polite thing to do is to respond with a comment under theirs. This may prompt an additional comment but really that person has no real intention of in depth discussion. They're just passing through.

It's a lot like walking down the street with a complete stranger approaching from the opposite direction. Your intention is to simply pass them by but as you come within talking distance the stranger says "Hi, nice day isn't it?" Like they needed to share that little highlight of information to brighten your day too.

You can smile and nod in agreement, or go so far as to say "Yes isn't it," whilst passing by without so much as a break in stride. It's all that is required to be polite.

Sometimes though, you want a bit more from your stranger. Why did they decide to say 'Hi' to you? Unfortunately you can't back track and ask your stranger that question without feeling awkward. You can't get to know them right then.

You can only hope they walk past again another day, so that you can begin those first steps towards making a friend. The more they walk past the more familiar you each become.

I wonder about people who leave comments and seemingly never 'walk' this way again? Are they not interested in reading my reply? Why did they comment in the first place if they knew they weren't coming back? What's in it for them if they didn't wish to be acknowledged?

I don't have any answers but maybe you can shed some light? Yes you, who will read this and be prompted to say 'Hi'.


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Comments

  1. TET (David Arandle)January 14, 2006 10:37 AM

    I know that usually when I comment on a blog, nessa, that I will watch for a response for a few days afterward. Maybe I just like to be acknowledged? Look at me. I made an effort. Say something back. I actually agree with your point of view, though friendships from comments are rare. It's more like a brief conversation you might have with a stranger sitting next to you on the bus.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2006 7:20 PM

    Well here I am commenting on your blog comment which was inspired by my blog comment which was......
    I think we might have something close to a conversation here.
    I tried to e-mail to you a while ago and got nothing back so I'll just say hi again. I don't take the bus so you sitting next to me on a bus just isn't gonna happen. Can we be strangers on a plane instead? First class?

    ReplyDelete
  3. TET (David Arandle)January 18, 2006 11:26 PM

    Rachel, I'm guessing maybe your mail got lost in my spam (very sorry if it did. I do scan the subject lines of all emails before I delete them but have been known to miss the odd genuine email). Feel free to email me again if you wish (use: etourist@arttimeproductions.com).

    I'd love to think we were strangers talking in first class on a plane but you'd more likely need to slum it in economy (or maybe even further back in 'cargo') to stand a chance of meeting me ;)

    Maybe I'm sitting next to the last vacant seat in the departure lounge and you've just arrived...

    ReplyDelete
  4. TeAnneJanuary 19, 2006 3:18 AM

    Hi David. Your artwork is just great. :)
    TeAnne

    ReplyDelete
  5. TET (David Arandle)January 19, 2006 9:56 AM

    Thanks TeAnne. This site is undergoing a major face uplift in February (which is why the layout of this blog isn't quite so great yet - still working on it). You'll be able to buy prints of some works for a very reasonable price. If you want to stay informed of what I'm up to - signing up to my newsletter is a good idea (I only send it once a month too).

    ReplyDelete

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