These are the rules- trolls beware! *Updated!*

Thinking of posting a rude and/or patronising comment on Laurelin In The Rain? Here are some helpful tips to make your commenting experience the fun-packed adventure it should be!

1.
If I ever mean to say ‘all men do/think X’ or ‘all women do/think X’, then rest assured I will say it. I doubt I’ll ever need to, as there is very little likelihood that I will come across something that all men/ all women do/think. To make sure people are clear on who I’m talking about, I add words to show which group of men/ women I am referring to. To take an example completely out of thin air, if I write a post about men who use prostitutes, and then say ‘these men do/think X’, rest assured that that I am referring only to those men who use prostitutes.

Just to clarify, I will quote Biting Beaver in saying that ‘If you are NOT guilty of the things I post about then I’m NOT fucking talking to you.’.

2.
If you wish to disagree with me, there are polite and respectful ways to do it. I suggest ‘Laurelin, I do not agree with you about X because of Reason Y’. Saying ‘you are delusional/ wrong/ hate-filled/ stupid/ evil’ just won’t cut it. The best way to not get deleted is to address me respectfully and state what you disagree with and why you disagree. I may or may not respond, depending on what I feel is most appropriate. Some criticisms I leave unanswered for the other readers to mull over; some I reply to because I feel I have an immediate point to make. Simply said: be sweet or I’ll delete.

3.
While I accept that people have the right to call themselves Anonymous, if you’re here to argue you will make a much better impression if you put a name. I take full responsibility for what I say, and I expect the same from you.

4.
If you have come to tell me my blog sucks consider going and getting a life.

5.
I’m a control freak. I’m very protective of my blog space, just as I am with my physical and emotional space. So I am delete-happy if you piss me off. This is my blog, and I get to decide what stays here. Simple as.

6.
There are no bad names for feminists that I have not heard. So don’t bother. Oh and I know I am obnoxious, opinionated, stubborn, self-righteous and sarcastic so don’t bother pointing it out.

7.
Fan mail is always welcome. And I accept apologies.

8.
I don’t care how nice you are to me, if I know you have been cruel or contemptuous of people I love elsewhere on the web, you won’t be published. You don’t just get my respect, you have to earn it. Also, the being friendly on X’s blog and then slagging off X on one’s own blog thing is soooo 1992. If you’ve got two faces I don’t want to see either of them.

9.
Never insult my intelligence.

10.
Saying or insinuating that it is some moral failing in me if I ignore your stupid comment is a one-way ticket to deletesville. Use a bit of common sense.

11.
If your comment is insensitive, cruel, dismissive or in anyway disrespectful towards other commentators or if it fails to recognise and respect the seriousness of the post or the comments of others, it will not be published. Failure to respect the feelings of survivor women on Laurelin in the Rain is absolutely unforgiveable and will not be tolerated. I don’t care how important you think your little whine is, you will not be given free reign to bully others on my blog. Take it elsewhere, or do the sensible thing and shut up for thirty seconds and listen.