How brave are you? How comfortable do you feel commenting on new blogs you have never visited before? I often will click onto a new link from someone's blog whom I know, only to find someone extremely interesting, bright and witty. But ... I hesitate ... to comment or not to comment. And suddenly I feel shy, and I have the same feeling as if I were intruding on a private conversation at a cocktail party. Do I dive right in? Do I hang back until I am invited? Do I have spinach between my teeth?What to do ... what to do ...
Do you ever feel that way? I have ventured forth and found some very interesting blogs lately, written by some wonderfully erudite people, and I would love to post comments. But then I think, will they find me silly and rude? Or will they think, "Who is this fascinating person?"
What to do ... what to do ...
Do you ever feel that way, or is it just me...?
Cheers,
59 comments:
I jump in, Jo. Both feet, damn the torpedos and all that, but only when I have something to add. I never really do the "great point, I agree" brief response, although frequently I will see a post with which I agree.
If I don't have something to add at length, then I keep mum. Oddly ironic, isn't it? I think most people would be the opposite, test the waters with a brief "Hello!" not me. I hit 'em with tons of words, and if they survive that stunning, and still like me? We'll get along fine, because, as I'm sure you have never noticed...I tend to use lots of words. Even when just a few might do.
You should feel brave, though. Everyone should. I don't think there is a blogger out there who hates to see comments.
If someone doesn't want someone new at the party? They can always set their blog to private/invitation only.
Yes I do! But I leave a comment anyway.
I'm always pleased when you stop by and leave a comment for me!
Kitty x
Go ahead and comment JO - most bloggers are thrilled to have people read and then let the writer know they've read. It doesn't matter if you have spinach in your teeth ;)
You don't strike me as being shy.
If I have something to say I'll jump right in - & then later I might wonder if I sounded to gauche or over-the-top or wimpy... Doesn't stop me though - because I know that I love comments no matter how witty or not - someone came for a visit!
I comment regardless. If the author hates it you'll know. If the author loves it, you won't know. Its a crap shoot.
I think most of us appreciate someone else leaving a comment at our blog. I have trouble keeping up with them all. I have lost a few people along the way because I didn't keep my sidebar where I could find them all, like you have. That and my google reader is the only way I can keep track of everyone. And of course the best way is when they leave a comment at my blog! Ha..
Not only here, but on Facebook too...... but often I think my comment is so important I must say it.....! ;)
Nope, not shy here! But...I must add that I only share a comment or thought if I feel I truly have SOMETHING to say.
Sometimes I like to just breathe in the thoughts and feelings of others for a bit. Does my soul good!
Love to you~Rebecca
Commenting is only scary when it is a controversial topic. I stay away (or try to) from politics, policy, and those types of divisive issues. That makes me pretty chicken I think. But I don't mind engaging on posts on art, literature, and life in general.
And the general rule I follow, "If I don't have something nice to say, I say nothing at all".
I usually jump in. Mainly because I know how I feel about comments. I love comments when people read and so, I try to leave them for others, if for no other reason than to let them feel that I've read what they took the time to write.
Please Post... We all write these knowing the whole world can see them, hoping they reach whoever, where ever.. I love when new people comment on my posts... Be brave, leave your mark!
Hey Jo
Go ahead and post your comments.
The FACT is almost all bloggers like new readers. i surely love each and every comment my blog gets.
Do I hang back until I am invited?
You are invited to visit mine and post as many comments as you like....lols
Cheers
I don't usually hesitate. Blogs are public conversations. Nobody has to listen to you, but chances are that somebody will. I found one of my favourite new blogs via your own when I got a laugh out of a comment she left here. Click.. and now I'm enjoying Land of Shimp for the last several weeks. It's worth taking a chance. Almost always. But I suspect you already knew that. ;)
I used to feel unsure about commenting on a new blog, but if I have enjoyed a post, I want to make sure that author knows it. My thinking is that everything enjoys compliments. Sometimes (if I can remember because I do a log of "blog hopping") I will include how I landed on their blog.
other times I may follow a blog for several months before commmenting.
Oh , I DO understand. I think even more than turning shy , I think that I just don't want to expose myself. I fight that tug EVERY time I post my own blog as well. But I do think that most people like to know that they've been heard. And how else to do that but to leave a remark , however long or short.
By the way, I hesitated overly long when deciding to leave you this. I DO understand.
Jo, I totally get this. I almost didn't comment on this post but decided to even though all I can do is really agree
:)
Jo you have 700 and something followers - imagine if every one of them wrote you a comment! You would be wading in other people's words sans cessation.
I think it is nice when people think or feel and then carefully respond. It is that careful, thoughtful connection that we are both surprised by and thrilled by.
I'm so glad you were brave with me, but more importantly, that I was brave with you :)
Hehe, it occurs to me that you're only going to get one form of response: "I comment. I'm not shy." because the people who are shy?
Are afraid to comment.
*puts down shy reader bait*
Here, shy bloggers, here.....
I feel like that all the time, I must confess I lurked on your blog for ages before I commented, eventually I work up the courage to comment. I love the fact the world is full of so many great blogs, except I seem to spend too much time browsing the internet.
I sometimes feel that way, but what the heck...
I must be a bit of a brave blogger, though, because some of the subject matter I've dealt with has been a little "out" there, heh.
Peace - D
Many times I enjoy the comments more than the post.
I'm not shy; after all, it's just 'cyber-world', and no one can reach out and touch you physically, so I have a good time commenting and learning from other's comments as well.
I will be no help to you at all! If I find it interesting, fascinating, thought provoking then I'll leave a comment. Bometimes the post just does not interest me and I don't leave a comment. More often than not I do try to say something, let them know I was there, being complimentary as possible!
Dear Jo, what an interesting entry of yours, which I like to comment to, as it is rather me being shy to post, than to comment.
Please have a wonderful Thursday.
p.s.: will visit some of those who commented and leave a trace.
Yes! And often I leave comments anyway.
I often wonder, particularly on a blog I've never commented on before. The beauty of the blogosphere is that it doesn't really matter what someone else thinks. Even if you run into them in the grocery store the next week, will you even know?
Post your comments, Jo!
I can't believe you feel the same way I do!
Here I am being brave,
I thought you might find this interesting,
"With Intrawest similarities and winter weather, Mammoth is acting as a stand in for Whistler where Olympic events will take place. Fire Chief Brent Harper reports that the team was looking for a place that was, “as close a possible to Vancouver.”
This quote was on our local news site. Here is where to find it.
http://news.sierrawave.net/eastern-sierra-news/2912-weapons-of-mass-destruction-training-in-mammoth
The crazy thing is it is concerning WMD's. Small world.
P.S. Jo- don't hesitate to comment, you have wonderful, smart things to say.
Well, before I myself blogged I did not comment. Your blog and Country Girls blog were the first ones I left comments on and at the time I did not really think anyone wanted to hear from me.
Now I know how much I appreciate comments and leave comments on any blog that interests me, most of the time. There are still some new blogs I visit many times before I leave a comment and I cannot exactly tell you why as I usually list myself as a FOllOWER. I am very thankful for that blogger gadget!
SHIMP- you crack me up!I'm taking the bait.
and I ADORE your long comments they are much more than my little blog deserves.
I do comment. But sometimes after leaving a comment more than a few times, if they don't respond in some way, I leave. Sort of like the dejected high schooler. I go back into my comfort zone of bloggers. Wow, I hadn't thought about this - thanks for bringing it up!
Good golly, Jo, I never imagined you would be shy about leaving comments.
I'm very shy about leaving comments. Heck, I'm shy about everything! I read your blog...the first one you had...for a long time before I got up the nerve to leave a comment.
Leave comments! I love it when new people find me. I'm shy in real life, but on Blogs I just say whatever I want.
It never even crossed my mind to be shy if I really had something to say? WHAT does that say about me? LOL
Like you and me (well, I'll speak for myself :-)
those bloggers appreciate all comments-
well most all comments (certainly the ones you would leave, Jo!)
EVERYBODY's welcome at da spiral:
Aloha!
Comfort Spiral
In my case...getting to very Carefully Commenting day by day...am i a shy? not brave?? i wonder...
Very nice blog you have here. I like reading political blogs for some reason. Anyway, I have a site myself where people from around the world come and debate on popular issues. I feel as if this will give citizens some form of power, letting their voices be heard.
I'd like to exchange links with you to help spread some traffic around between each other. If you'd like to, please leave a comment under our "Compadres" page when you've added our link and we'll return the favor.
Until then, keep up the good work.
Jason
DEBATEitOUT.com
Yes and I find myself editing what I say. I suppose it is like meeting someone new and putting your best foot forward. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Comment? Moi?
Sometimes!
I'd like to comment on every post of every blog I read, but it's just not possible.
I just assume that everyone with a public blog and comments turned on, wants comments.
I'm more shy in real life than I am in blog land.
If I am moved to make a comment, I make it. I am surprised that you feel that way sometimes, as it doesn't seem to fit with your blogging persona (IMO).
I have felt that way on occasion, but usually I am so delighted to find an interesting new mind to explore that I forget myself.
One just needs to dive straight in.
if I got something to say i will say it and if not I will read and move on. Comments are not required but appreciated.
Well, being Canadian, I found your comment on Giraffe Dreams, you saying that you saw a flower in BC. Well yeah, BC is so beautiful that flowers bloom there!
I have decided this year to vist a lot of new blogs.
Mainly I quilt, but it's always nice to find new ones.
Getting stitched on the farm is a great one as she has beautiful wool, but her sheep stories are so cute. You might like her.
This is nice.
I don't have any problems commenting on new blogs. I figure that's why they're there. I'm not very brave about posting on controversial subjects, though
Just jump in. I always try to be kind, but at times I find I really feel comfortable (as with your blog) and let my feelings surface. I suppose there is always a fear of being judged or rejected by others in all of us. I suppose if the blogger does not care for our comments they will simply not approve our post.
Have a great day!
I don't feel much different leaving a comment than I do striking up a conversation with someone new. A little scary, but the rewards can be huge!
The blogs that I am a little hesitant to comment on are the very young high achievers. What would they want a comment from a 50-something for? ...but I am very impressed with all the sharp and energetic folks out there.
There, I just commented to someone I have never met (or read before).
Nice to meet you!
Well, for me it depends on how connected i feel to the post & how many previous comments have been posted.
I have to feel that i've really got something to add to the conversation or discussion before i'll comment. That isn't often, my little brain just isn't that smart.
I guess you would say i'm timid, for i usually visit a blog a number of times before commenting. And if i see a large number of comments (like over 12 or 15), i usually think, "what could i possibly add to this?" Again, unless i felt very strongly about the subject, or at a few blogs - like yours Jo - that get a large # of comments - then the number at which i'll comment goes up. (This says you currently have 45 comments, & i'll be honest, i wouldn't normally comment at this number.) I guess i'm weird.
One thing i love about your blog & am trying to do a little more at mine is respond in the comments to folks who comment. I had been going to their blogs & comment there (& still do) but i find i love the back & forth of the comment section, but it doesn't work if i don't jump in too.
Even weirder - i don't comment much at MY blog. ;)
I have no problem jumping in. But then I have a BIG mouth. :-)
No, I am mostly just looking. I enjoy your blog. Why can't they choose a better name than "blog"/ With all the thousands of English word surely they could find another.
I have felt this way about your blog at times!! :) Butttt it is usually worth getting over the cold feet, taking a step forward and putting yourself out there. Oh so I have found anyways...
I guess I feel no particular shyness about posting a response. I LOVE getting responses from other people, so I figure it is well-received from others. Perhaps what I AM shy about is saying anything negative. I think that if people are brave enough to write, I'm just going to shut up if I don't like something---unless it's rude and truly offensive. I have loved that so many of the people I meet in here are TRULY concerned with being supportive of one another's writing, lives, situations.
And YOU, well, you're just a jewel, period. Your heart, your writing. If you are shy and have not written when you wanted to, I'd say to you, go ahead. You could not be hurtful if you tried... at least not in here.
I feel so lucky to have found a couple of bloggers early on who took a chance on my sporadic postings--from them I discovered you and others, and on it goes. Articulate, funny, thoughtful, kind people.
I'll shut up now, though.
I tend to jump right in and comment!
I post on various blogs on a regular basis and it has formed the basis for new friendships on more than one occasion.
In other cases, I consider my comment merely as one in the category of the "casual observer" on the sidelines.
Lovely choice of art, by the way.
Tammy
I guess I am very impulsive when it comes to commenting on blogs. If the blog speaks to me it woudl be rude not to reply, wouldn't it? However, I have often regretted being so impulsive because sometimes, once I think the matter through, I find that I should rather have kept quiet, but I so love getting comments on my blogs that I naturally assume that other do too.
ha ha ha :) i never felt so Jo. If the post is really interesting and if i have any views on my side.. i simply post my comment.. i love to visit new blogs.. :)
Oh Jo....if I find a blog and it captures my interest I most certainly comment...that is how I have met many of my blogging friends...I will even make a comment when I don't agree with the bloggers point of view..isn't that partially what blogging is all about?
I comment if I want to. It doesn't matter if the blogger knows me backward and forward or sees me as a total stranger. If they don't want comments they can always turn them off.
Most of the time I also just jump right it. But funnily enough, just prior to coming to your blog, I read a nice blog but felt too intrusive to leave a comment. Its silly really, people love to get comments, so if I enjoyed reading it, shouldnt I let them know that? I do sometimes feel as though I am barging in, but I have never actually had anyone tell me I was not welcome, usually its quite the opposite response.
I just reply whatever comes to mind - mostly brief commentary. Oftentimes I find that the best writers, such as yourself, put things so beautifully and succinctly that I really have nothing more to add. :)
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