Some situations are viewed in black and white; right and wrong. Yet, many people think situations also have a grey area where solutions are not so easily discerned. This is not just about the choices people make, but the thought process they go through to arrive at their decisions.
What Do You Think? Submitted for Your Consideration and Conversation
You use social media sites to keep up with family and friends. Each evening, you check in to see what is going on with your cousins, aunts, friends, and others. You also share notes on your day and activities with your family.
One evening, you post a note about your fun day at the beach with your family. Several people respond, saying “how wonderful” and “what a great way to spend the day”. One friend, however, makes a negative remark about how “crummy” they think that is for a vacation, adding “why don’t you take your family someplace nice?”
You’re a little taken aback. You’ve known this woman, Sally, for awhile — she’s married to your husband’s closest pal and has been to your home for dinner a couple times a year since they were married.
Looking back through the site at her information, you see that she has recently lost her job. You also see that she has posted several other negative comments on your photos that you hadn’t seen before.
Speaking with your husband, he confirms he just heard about her getting fired from his pal. The two of you decide she might just be feeling negative, and you decide to remove her comments from your page and photos and say nothing to her.
A short while later, you post a photo of your family having a barbecue in the backyard. Within minutes, Sally has posted a very negative comment about your “lousy” grill, “ugly” clothes, and “fat people” food. You can feel yourself getting angry and you immediately delete her comment.
Do you think it likely you would immediately un-friend Sally? Would you stay quiet, say something to her, or have your husband talk with Sally’s husband?
Alternatively, what if Sally also began calling your home? If her negative “attack” spread beyond the internet and into phone calls would you be more likely to take more action? Would you think about contacting police? Is there some point when you or your spouse might suggest to Sally’s husband that he take her to a mental health professional?
Or, what if you found out that Sally was making similar bad comments on your teenager’s social media page? Does that push you further toward confronting Sally or calling police?
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