I was having a conversation with Syn in the chat yesterday, and he gave me some crucial tips to avoid drama, particularly when it comes to the interwebs. The main points that came to mind:

1. Don't take everything too seriously.
2. Watch what you say, because others can take it the wrong way.
3. Don't compromise your true self in order to appease the census (not in his words, exactly)

Anyway, I feel it would be sufficient if we could continue that conversation within this topic.

Not taking everything in life too seriously was my point. Some people take themselves too seriously and demand the utmost respect for themselves while showing people very little. Learn to take a joke or a wise crack. The less it bothers you, the less people will say anything to you about said crack. You know who you are, or at least you should, so why let someone else's opinion make you second guess yourself?

I'm not one for filters, but there are some areas you need to watch out for. It's all about knowing the people that you're around. Know your limits with other people so you don't go doing things that make them feel uncomfortable (unless you intend to make them uncomfortable). However, don't filter yourself just to appease people. Trying to please everyone is a mistake because you can't, and you just make everyone else think you're weak and they will use you. So, know your limits, but don't do it to please everyone else.

And yes, don't compromise who your are for others. People pick and choose who they like. If they don't like you, they don't like you. There will always be people that will like you and accept you, and those who won't. Just be who you are, and let things play out as they should. Might as well have someone like you for who you really are then have them like you for who you pretend to be.

Both online and in person it is important to clarify before responding. Many people are reactionary without taking the time and relying on the patience to consider what someone really intended in their communication. This seems to be especially problematic online where there are usually only words in a message. In person, one can still listen to the tone of voice, look at facial expressions, and watch body language in addition to analyze the word content of the message. It also takes more time and concentration to carefully read a message then to have one say it to you out loud.

When people do not clarify their are inevitably miscommunications followed by reaction, follwed by reaction to reaction.