DavidBLit wrote:Well, I'm probably about to get banned anyway. It would almost be a relief.
Idiots don't like to be called idiots so I'm sure they'll spring into action very soon now.
Sometimes people are being idiots on purpose, and sometimes they are not. If the person is doing it on purpose then they might be playing the schemiel game and just trying to make you angry.
http://www.ericberne.com/games-people-play/schlemiel/Notice that schemiel gets rewards if you call him an idiot. The best way to deal with a person like that is to just tell them you don't want to play with them anymore. No rewards.
Sometimes people act like idiots when they are depressed and their brains aren't functioning at full steam. They are seeking re-assurance and sympathy. Calling them an idiot makes matters worse.
And sometimes they really ARE an idiot, in which case it does no good to remind them of that, because they likely already aware of it. =-}