I'm in a Quandary (A Giggle Post)

I always thought that by the time I got to this stage of my life that I would have a fairly good sense of what is right and wrong, what is good and bad, what is socially appropriate and what is not, etc. Life teaches us lessons, and if we’ve been paying attention, we should be able to get it right. Maybe there’d be a slip up now and then, but nothing major.

If I found myself sitting next to Hillary Clinton on a plane, I’d strike up a conversation by saying something like, “Hey Hillary, where do you get your pantsuits?” By the time we landed, we’d be like old pals. No problem, no sweat, just plain girl talk.

Finding myself in a receiving line at Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth, I’d give her a little hug and peck on the cheek and tell her she looks divine in her tiara. Every woman likes to be complimented on her accessories. See, I know what's appropriate.

So why am I sitting here typing away, ravaged by insecurity and doubt. You must be wondering just what it is that has me so twisted up and befuddled.

Let me take a deep breath and come right out and say it. I am very confused about what is appropriate etiquette when visiting someone’s blog.To get to the root of the matter, this is what I really want to know—is it a requirement to leave a comment when you visit someone’s blog? This is a many-faceted problem.

What if you read that blog faithfully, should you leave a comment every time you visit? Or would it suffice to leave a comment every couple of visits?

How about when you visit the blog of a total stranger--to comment or not to comment, that is the question. They don’t know who you are and probably won’t know that you dropped in.

Do you take the time to write? Sure it’s a nice idea but what if you can’t think of anything appropriate to say. For example, what if you visit a blog and they have written a long post about how their vet was away on vacation and the dog had fleas and they were stressed out of their mind. Can one gracefully back out of this blog without leaving a comment. Or must one write something to the effect of “Gee, I’m sorry your dog has fleas. That must be a bummer.”

Or, even more likely, what if you find a blog that you really like and you write a comment like, “I found your blog while surfing and I really love your --------- (fill in the blank). It’s the most beautiful ------- I’ve ever seen.” So, now you’re thinking, what’s wrong with a comment like that? Well, there’s nothing wrong with the comment. The problem is, what if the blog owner doesn’t write back to you and say, “Thanks for visiting my blog. I’m glad you like my -------.” Do you let your feelings be hurt? Do you never visit the blog again? Do you visit the blog again, but never write another comment?

Can you see my issues here? I want to be socially correct. My mother taught me to always bring a hostess gift when I visit someone’s house. I liken visiting a person’s blog to visiting their house. I can’t bring them a gift, but I can leave a comment. That’s almost as good as bringing a box of candy. But if they don’t respond to my comment, it would be like the hostess opening up my box of candy, wrinkling up her nose and saying, “I don’t like this type of candy,” and then proceeding to put the box on the floor for the dog to eat. Boy, wouldn’t that make you feel bad?

I need help. I need feedback. I need affirmation. I'm begging you. Please leave me a comment and tell me what to do. I’m too old to have to deal with this type of insecurity.

Oh, and here’s another quandary. What if you write the most brilliant blog ever written in the history of the universe and no one comments? Ah, but that’s a post for another day. Stay tuned.