STella@xanadu.com (STella) (02/10/90)
In article <1990Jan31.222213.1402@everexn.uucp> karen@everexn.uucp (Karen Valentino) writes: >Nobody's ever really flamed me (this is not an invitation), but I >sometimes wonder what the most effective response to a flame is. I've Well, I find that this works quite well for emailed flames -- I send this file as my only reply: "Thank you very much for your flame. I did read it; it may or may not have an effect on my behavior. Had it not been a flame, this reply would not have been a form-letter." and my signature. If the flamer did not realize they were flaming, the next letter from the source is often far more communicative; if the flamer was trying to stir up shit, SHe realizes I'm not interested, and won't play right, and goes off to another target. In either case, I've won ONE thing, at least: I DON'T have to play with the flamer. And it's taken me about three dozen keystrokes, max. A flutter of the fingers, and the annoyance is gone! Bye! STella@xanadu.com 1016 E. El Camino Real, #302, Sunnyvale, CA 94087