# If you ignore it, does it go away? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 5, 2003, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998 "2003-02-05T17:52:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Maxxxie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f14d63/32.png) [@Maxxxie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maxxxie)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998/21 "2003-02-06T13:24:14Z")
I take the point of view that if someone irritates me I can take one of two possible routes: 1. Ignore them 2. Tell them they’re irritating me and ask for a change in behaviour The problem with option #1 is that they are likely to continue doing whatever it is that’s irritating me - either to myself or to other poor unsuspecting bastards. Option #2 usually results in a cessation of the irritating behaviour… or they ignore me - but the point is, if I take option #2 I am no worse off, no matter what the outcome. 🙂 Max ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998/22 "2003-02-06T14:09:15Z")
As I may have mentioned before, I used to have some serious anger issues. I would lash out at people over the stupidest things (“Watch where you’re walking, asshole!” was a common phrase.) It finally reached the point where I took advantage of my health plan’s mental health program to get some therapy, where I picked up some anger management techniques and came to the realization that it wasn’t worth working myself up over every little thing. I still get upset about a lot of things, but I haven’t killed anybody in weeks. 🙂 Generally I now try to just let minor annoyances not get to me. I’ll mutter under my breath like **FCM** or wait until I’m someplace I can scream without upsetting anyone else. If I find myself in a position where a someone or something is continually irritating me I’ll try and see what I can do to resolve the situation (remembering that killing the source of the irritation leaves me with the added problem of body disposition) or learn to live with it if I can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Kn\_ckers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/96bed5/32.png) [@Kn\_ckers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kn_ckers)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998/23 "2003-02-06T19:32:04Z")
LALALALALALALALA- I can’t hear you!! That’s pretty much my response to everything upsetting, distasteful or otherwise unpleasant. Unhealthy, unproductive and childish, I know. But it’s all I’ve got. Thus, I run away and hide when there are Pit meltdowns, and I don’t dare even set foot in Great Debates. I also turn off the evening news when bad things happen (which means I don’t watch the news much), avoid confrontation at all costs (usually means giving in without a fight even when I KNOW the other guy’s wrong), and just generally go hide under a rock whenever possible. I really was meant to be a mouse, not a human. Love, Kn(squeak!)ckers ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2003, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998/24 "2003-02-06T20:29:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by twickster47 \* > \*\*Bitching, stewing, etc., are not viable alternatives. > \*\* I understand this point of view and for a lot of people this is a good way to approach things, but for some people (myself included), the bitching is cathartic - I get it out of my system. So at the end of the day when I get myself “all riled up” (as my dad would call it) about something when talking to the SO or my mom or whoever, I feel better afterwards. I’m not usually looking for a solution or suggestion - if I am, I’ll solicit advice. The SO is generally the complete opposite in that regard - if he’s POed about something at work, he almost never wants to bitch about it because it’s not cathartic for him. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2003, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998/25 "2003-02-07T00:02:18Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by yours truly_ > **…sometimes there’s some ranting and complaining on the path to acceptance…** I make no claims to never bitching – and I definitely get its therapeutic value – but I can’t stand people (some of my coworkers come to mind) who just bitch, bitch, bitch about the same exact stuff day in and day out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/if-you-ignore-it-does-it-go-away/152998.md?page=1)