Originally Posted by chinarider
The name rings a bell, but I can't remember anything specific.
You're in the correct forum, then.
It sometimes helps to recognize that in addition to the occasional troll post, other people have personalities that have been described as "high conflict," interacting in the mode s/he has refined over years, that seemingly works for that person's needs, and is successful often enough to condition repeat uses. Both varieties of negative interactivity are inevitable in social discussion, given a large enough population engaged in communication; a helpful response may be to recognize early and not participate, or drop out without having to give the last word, depriving the stimulus that would feed an extended exchange. There's nothing worse for some people than to be ignored; ignored regularly, they will look for validation elsewhere.
In other innocuous instances it may be difficult for a recipient to parse non-malicious humor if s/he feels s/he has publicly been called a name. (Won't be as much a problem when online forums eventually transition to video threading.)
TRENTINO
What I called you... Why, what did
I call you?
GROUCHO
I don't remember.
TRENTINO
(With a little chuckle)
Oh -- you mean... worm?
GROUCHO
(Smiling coyly)
No, that wasn't it...
TRENTINO
Was it -- swine?
GROUCHO
(Same attitude as
above)
No... it was a seven letter word.
TRENTINO
(Thinking, then with
a broad smile)
Oh yes! -- UPSTART!
GROUCHO
That's it...
Takes gloves from Trentino's breast pocket and socks him
across the face... and puts them in his own breast pocket.
Trentino becomes apoplectic
TRENTINO
(Spluttering and
stuttering)
Why - er - Mrs. Teasdale - this is
an outrage! This man is impossible...
My course is clear... this means
war...
(Turns to go and turns
and yells to Groucho)
You RUNT!
GROUCHO
I still like UPSTART the best.