Unwanted Attention Online..

Online harassment is such a drag. It takes the fun out of social media when it happens. Boundaries seem to be viewed as a choice, instead of a requirement. I try to be kind to everyone, but some guys don’t understand boundaries, and I believe it’s intentional. I hesitate when posting anything to Google Plus because of one guy there who has this problem. On Twitter, I simply block without comment, on Facebook, the same.

But one individual on Google Plus seems intent on disrespecting my choice to not engage anymore with him. He seemed like a lonely old man when I first chatted with him years ago, harmless enough. But his attention became burdensome and uncomfortable, not so much inappropriate, but simply too much.

I’ve been married for over 36 years to the same guy. I’m not online to hook up or anything else. My husband and I have a great relationship and love each other more now than ever. We’ve owned two businesses together, a Kenpo dojo and a motorcycle shop. When we opened our karate school, he was the instructor. Three years later, I earned my Black Belt, and began teaching as well. I had been out of college for a year when we married. I was 21; he was 25, and we’ve been a team ever since, raising two sons along the way. So why anyone would get the wrong idea is beyond me.

I like social media. It’s fun to chat with people. But I don’t care for the drama and verbal abuse that happens online, or unwanted attention and I block freely for any of it. But it is what it is I suppose. We all take the risk when we spend time online.

I try not to be hurtful, but this guy won’t get the message, using the appearance of concern about my husband to gain access, this time through email. Of course, any additional attempts will automatically be deleted without ever being seen. Email programs include great filters for situations like this. My husband, aware of the issue from the beginning, rolled his eyes at this guy’s latest attempt. I blocked him online a few years ago, and again today, because his pathetic attempts to get my attention are still unwanted.

If someone makes it clear they want no contact, then back off. It’s simple, really. It’s called manners. That little thing moms everywhere remind their kids to have.

A gentleman would get the message.