Ryan Caldwell has brought up an interesting topic that many of us have had to face at one point or another – Dealing with Stupid People.

We’re surrounded by them each and every day, whether online or in public. Sometimes they manage to creep into our homes right around dinner time in the form of a solicitation phone call, but the point is, we’re surrounded by them all the time.

Ryan poses the question: “Do you ignore? Do you engage? Do you insult?”

While at a conference years ago, I learned the best way to address stupid people, stupid questions or stupid actions is to hold the stupid person accountable.

Call them out. Ask them a simple question that forces them to take ownership of their actions.

A simple, “Why do you ask?” or “Why did you do that?” is typically enough to send them running with their tail between their knees or at the very least you’ll be able to bask in the glory of watching the person who attempted to insult another, studder for an answer.

My kids have grown to know me as the mom who will embarrass stupid people in public. Yep, I sure do!

If I see someone being mean to another person or trying to degrade them, I simply point out that it looks like they’re having a terrible day!

If I see a kid being picked on, I approach the bully and ask if they’d like to “get more practice in on me – I’m a willing participant where the other person wasn’t up for the task.”

If I find a stupid driver who has parked in a horrible manner that’s thrown off the entire row in the parking lot, I leave them a note letting them know their parking abilities suck and the next person they park by may not be so nice as to leave a note.

Growing up, I was painfully shy, still am most times. I suppose working as a bartender in that little hole in the wall, knife check at the door bar helped me grow a backbone when it comes to people being picked on.

I sincerely believe more people should take a stand and hold stupid and mean people accountable for their actions.

Online personalities are an altogether different ballgame though. Most times you’ve no idea who may be lurking behind that insulting username. The one thing I’ve found to be an interesting response to stupid people online is shining a little light on them by sharing their comments, emails, usernames and perhaps IP addresses. Any information that can help expose that person, the better.

Now it’s your turn, hop on over and share your own habits of dealing with stupid people.

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Tagged as: form, hole in the wall, horrible manner, little hole in the wall, Online, parking, person, stupid driver, topic, willing participant