(06-24-2014, 12:32 PM)Tiergan Wrote: This has come up amongst my FC, because of a bit of trolling that happened a few days ago. Â My answer to trolling has always been one of two responses:
1) Joke and laugh it off. Â Kill the troll with kindness. Â
Most trolls, if they're not just goofing off and trying to get some laughs, are trying to get a rise out of you and piss you off. Â This is why ignoring doesn't always work because somewhere in their minds, they're either imagining you stewing angrily in your computer chair or are holding out to see how long it takes for you to break. Â It's also why getting angry, telling them you're going to report them, or slipping in any kind of insult is like tossing blood in shark-infested waters. Â They want to get you mad, and you are giving them the attention they're craving.
By laughing it off and joking around with them, or engaging in funny 'mock RP' like LastCandle mentioned, you give them the opposite of what they're looking for. Â If on top of that, you stay as friendly and kind as possible while dealing with them, some trolls will actually start to feel a little bad about trolling you because you'll seem like a pretty cool person who isn't getting their panties in a twist over a few pelvic thrust emotes.
It's just like how Kendha'to wound up with his new lalafell buddy - trolls are people too. Â If you respond to their vinegar with sugar, they might laugh and decide you're pretty neat. Â Besides - laughing at your problem is probably much healthier than stewing angrily over it, yeah?
2) If you can't joke/laugh it off - ignore them. Â
Just like everyone says, ignore'em, blacklist'em, do what you need to do to get them out of your mind. Â Just don't rise to their bait or try to be the internet tough guy. Â You'll get them to just redouble their efforts.
I'd like to vouch for Tiergan's method. I've seen Tiergan use this method before on trolls and it actually worked. It does take some perseverance but it ended up being really effective. If you ignore the trolls and find yourself irritated at how long they are still hanging around, I'd give it a try.