Sigh; my first epinions hate mail.

[lernerj]

So, I received my first epinions hate mail today--now I have really arrived!

Seriously, it made me really sad and frustrated. I rated two of this writer's opinions, and my ratings were lower than others', so I left polite comments each time explaining why I rated the way I did. In return, I got an email titled "police dept." asking why I had a "vendetta" against her (by the way, one of my horrible ratings was an abusive "helpful"--the horror!) and notifying me that I am now on her block list. (And by the way, she used to trust me!)

I went to read and rate from my alerts, but I just didn't feel like it after getting that email. It's so depressing; I know this comes with the territory of being active on the site and rating honestly, but geez! It also makes me worried--what if she's one of the people who gets legions together to block those they dislike?

hmph. thanks for listening.

jennifer

[rich2003dm]

Jennifer,

Epinions is like any other large, diverse community. Most people are normal, honest, and decent. We do, however, also have our fair share of losers and crackpots.

Be thankful that you were able to discover the true nature of this one. From now on just avoid her and her stuff. She's just trying to bully you into going against your principles.

Forget her and don't worry about being gang blocked by her and her friends. Normal people (and thankfully most members are normal) won't go along with the suggestion.

Be true to yourself. Rate honestly (except for my stuff, which you MUST always "VH"), trust me, and send me $10,000 in small bills.

Rich

Sorry to hear that you're having a rough time of it.

Actually, I'm rather shocked when someone who has been a member for longer than 6 months says that they've never received a comment or email like you describe. Given that every person's opinions, likes, and dislikes are unique, it seems that a person who rates at all will eventually leave a rating that goes against popular opinion.

I think it's always painful when someone you like gives you a less than perfect rating. Different people handle the disappointment in different manners. I'm the sort that rather crawls under a rock and won't bother asking why. (Instead, I figure that someone was finally smart enough to figure out that I'm a talentless hack!) Others respond by sending emails demanding to know what was wrong. Still others prefer to believe the majority who rated one way over the one who rated the opposite.

You can't be responsible for how people react. All you can do is make sure that you left the right rating. It sounds like you put some thought into your rating. If you're sure it's the right one, don't let the anger bother you. Your one rating likely won't make a great deal of difference in the long run anyway.

[hadassahchana[$]]

Jennifer,

Don't let anyone tell you how to rate- especially someone whose review you've rated!

As for her threat, I'd just block her, and go on writing my own reviews. That letter was tacky!

Good luck,

Cindy

[Dani257]

I doubt she'll be able to do much with blocking. Epinions is a big community, with at least some sensible people. At least you know we aren't going to block you for rating honestly

I haven't gotten any nasty letters from people I've rated. Yet. I got a few juvenile comments, and someone asked why I rated her an H, while being careful to point out that everyone else rated her a VH. Good for you, honey, so why worry about my rating?

Just keep rating the way you feel.

[shadow8]

Welcome to the club. I received my share of hate mail (for some of the dumbest reasons, like giving a movie a good rating) so I hope to make you feel better by saying you're not the only one.

Seriously, (and at the risk of repeating what everybody else has to say), don't worry about the scathing e-mail you received. Simply put, some people are incredibly petty with too much time on their hands. Instead of channeling their energy on improving their writing, they grouse about a low rating they received in their reviews.

I also find it pathetic that someone would want to "block" you merely because you rated honestly. But rich2003dm said it perfectly that Epinions is a diverse community and once a while, you will run into a few bad eggs. But like they say, that's life.

-shadow8

[hypotenuse]

Originally posted by gracef
Actually, I'm rather shocked when someone who has been a member for longer than 6 months says that they've never received a comment or email like you describe.

:raises hand:

Now don't y'all go getting any wiseass ideas either...

Lynne

[Dani257]

:Rushing to see if Lynne rated any of my reviews Helpful so I can send her a nasty email

Originally posted by hypotenuse


:raises hand:

Now don't y'all go getting any wiseass ideas either...

Lynne

grace mutters to herself, "be nice! be nice! be nice!"

:whistling:

[jrk]

Jennifer,

What took you so long? I've been getting hate mail for the past year and a half (and that was back in the old days when members still tended to be cordial), so I'm inclined to believe you just weren't trying hard enough to annoy people!

Seriously, you have my sympathy. Even with practice, it has never gotten to the point where such nastygrams don't affect me. Just try not to let it get you down.

As for Lynne: well, heck, of course she raised her hand. How could anyone be nasty to her? Where's that halo icon?

[Dani257]

Where's my hate mail? I feel left out.

[hypotenuse]

Don't let it bother you Angela. Here, you can use my halo. It's a bit tarnished and bent right now, but it'll do in a pinch.

Lynne

[jaderabbit]

Sorry to hear it, Jennifer.

I don't know if this makes you feel any better, but I feel even more strongly about keeping you on my trust list now. I'm glad you're not bowing to pressure.

[Dani257]

Originally posted by hypotenuse
Don't let it bother you Angela. Here, you can use my halo. It's a bit tarnished and bent right now, but it'll do in a pinch.

Lynne

But will it fit over my horns?

[lernerj]

thanks, everyone!

(and jaderabbit--glad to see you've joined EA!)

jennifer