# To the Troll who keeps starting new "woe is me" threads: get a new hobby **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 22, 2015, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629 "2015-01-22T22:54:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/21 "2015-01-23T14:56:27Z")
> [@Lemur866](#): > > I could link to several of these threads, but what would be the point? The troll would just start new ones. Can you all level up a bit in trollspotting? Because these latest ones are pretty sad. If you see a poster with a join date of this month post a rambling tale of woe about their horrible relationship or lifestyle troubles, can you stop a moment and think about how likely it is that this one, unlike the last 27, is a real person? Sorry, buddy. This MB is troll heaven and don’t you forget it-- um-kay!? 🙂 But I was thinking it might be good to have an “ongoing point out the troll” thread. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/22 "2015-01-23T16:44:42Z")
This is why I always give bad advice in relationship threads. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/23 "2015-01-23T16:52:46Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Sorry, buddy. This MB is troll heaven and don’t you forget it-- um-kay!? 🙂 > > But I was thinking it might be good to have an “ongoing point out the troll” thread. Wouldn’t work. For every legitimate troll spotted you’d have 2 to 6 of the local idiots arguing that you are wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/24 "2015-01-23T17:07:42Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > This is why I always give bad advice in relationship threads. Intentionally? ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/25 "2015-01-23T17:55:35Z")
Maybe we should develop a protocol. Like the first responding poster immediately asks a question, leading with, “Before we go any further, let me ask…?” Because these OPs are always screaming for context, light on details, and purposely obtuse, a question is easily found to be asked. Any question will do. As long as it’s prefaced “Before we go any further…”. Then we can wait and see if there is any response, before rising to the bait. Sort of a sniff test to see if they have an actual pulse! ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/26 "2015-01-23T18:10:47Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Maybe we should develop a protocol. Like the first responding poster immediately asks a question, leading with, “Before we go any further, let me ask…?” Because these OPs are always screaming for context, light on details, and purposely obtuse, a question is easily found to be asked. Any question will do. As long as it’s prefaced “Before we go any further…”. > > Then we can wait and see if there is any response, before rising to the bait. Sort of a sniff test to see if they have an actual pulse! Before we do that, we need to change your username to “cat-herder”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/27 "2015-01-23T18:23:21Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > This is why I always give bad advice in relationship threads. That’s odd. I’ve always found your advice in those threads to be keen and insightful. ---
**Author:** ![Latimera](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/latimera/32/497_2.png) [@Latimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Latimera)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/28 "2015-01-23T18:56:34Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Yeah… yeah, that’s… good advice. _\_ Nice one…that made me laugh out loud… ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/29 "2015-01-23T19:06:19Z")
“Before we do that, we need to change your username to “cat-herder”.” 😃 ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/30 "2015-01-23T19:32:16Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > Wouldn’t work. For every legitimate troll spotted you’d have 2 to 6 of the local idiots arguing that you are wrong. We should have an ongoing “point out the local idiot” thread too. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2015, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/31 "2015-01-23T19:36:32Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > Intentionally? > [@Ravenman](#): > > That’s odd. I’ve always found your advice in those threads to be keen and insightful. Well ok, to clarify, I tend to give advice that people usually won’t take, but will absolutely solve their issues. To people who think their SO’s are cheating on them, I tend to tell them to consider a threesome. Its not a big deal and I think people would be much happier that way instead of trying to force some monogamy on some girl/boyfriend they’ve only known a few months. Sharing is caring! If we can share our toys, why not our lovers? I think it something people should get used to as lifelong monogamy seems to be really really hard for most people. So that’s my standard advice: problems with a cheating SO? Invite that other person in to bed! There’s really nothing wrong with that ---
**Author:** ![Pleonast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pleonast/32/1183_2.png) [@Pleonast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pleonast)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/32 "2015-01-26T22:00:18Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Maybe we should develop a protocol. Like the first responding poster immediately asks a question, leading with, “Before we go any further, let me ask…?” Because without explicit consent, it’s rape. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/33 "2015-01-26T22:29:33Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Well ok, to clarify, I tend to give advice that people usually won’t take, but will absolutely solve their issues. To people who think their SO’s are cheating on them, I tend to tell them to consider a threesome. Its not a big deal and I think people would be much happier that way instead of trying to force some monogamy on some girl/boyfriend they’ve only known a few months. Sharing is caring! If we can share our toys, why not our lovers? I think it something people should get used to as lifelong monogamy seems to be really really hard for most people. > > So that’s my standard advice: problems with a cheating SO? Invite that other person in to bed! There’s really nothing wrong with that In general, I liked Diogenes when he was still posting on the forums, but that particularly piece of advice would have assuredly resulted in his creating a trainwreck of a thread. The man was convinced that anything other than pure monogamy was no better than wife beating. Probably, your advice would be good for a significant subset of relationship. Though I suspect that for the majority, cheating is the **goal**. If it wasn’t bad, the luster would fade a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/34 "2015-01-26T23:41:36Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > Wouldn’t work. For every legitimate troll spotted you’d have 2 to 6 of the local idiots arguing that you are wrong. Corollary of Poe’s Law: For every legitimate troll spotted, you’d also identify 2 to 6 genuine idiots. Though I suppose many posters don’t really care about the distinction between actual trolls and genuine idiots. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/35 "2015-01-27T01:16:38Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Well ok, to clarify, I tend to give advice that people usually won’t take, but will absolutely solve their issues. To people who think their SO’s are cheating on them, I tend to tell them to consider a threesome. Its not a big deal and I think people would be much happier that way instead of trying to force some monogamy on some girl/boyfriend they’ve only known a few months. Sharing is caring! If we can share our toys, why not our lovers? I think it something people should get used to as lifelong monogamy seems to be really really hard for most people. > > So that’s my standard advice: problems with a cheating SO? Invite that other person in to bed! There’s really nothing wrong with that Just out of curiosity, if your SO was cheating on you, would you be interested in doing a threesome with another guy, namely the one your SO was cheating with? ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/36 "2015-01-27T01:48:00Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > Corollary of Poe’s Law: For every legitimate troll spotted, you’d also identify 2 to 6 genuine idiots. > > Though I suppose many posters don’t really care about the distinction between actual trolls and genuine idiots. We care. We just need to believe they’re trolls, otherwise suicide. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/37 "2015-01-27T02:21:43Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Well ok, to clarify, I tend to give advice that people usually won’t take, but will absolutely solve their issues. you keep telling yourself that. ---
**Author:** ![saje](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saje/32/3631_2.png) [@saje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saje)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/38 "2015-01-27T11:57:16Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Well ok, to clarify, I tend to give advice that people usually won’t take, but will absolutely solve their issues. To people who think their SO’s are cheating on them, I tend to tell them to consider a threesome. Its not a big deal and I think people would be much happier that way instead of trying to force some monogamy on some girl/boyfriend they’ve only known a few months. Sharing is caring! If we can share our toys, why not our lovers? I think it something people should get used to as lifelong monogamy seems to be really really hard for most people. > > So that’s my standard advice: problems with a cheating SO? Invite that other person in to bed! There’s really nothing wrong with that Well, nothing wrong with it other than I would be totally and utterly skeeved out. Not exactly a good platform to repair a relationship, yanno? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/39 "2015-01-27T14:31:54Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > We should have an ongoing “point out the local idiot” thread too. Nah, those devolve into joke threads way too fast. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629/40 "2015-01-27T15:45:40Z")
> [@saje](#): > > Well, nothing wrong with it other than I would be totally and utterly skeeved out. Not exactly a good platform to repair a relationship, yanno? Well, he DID say it was bad advice. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/to-the-troll-who-keeps-starting-new-woe-is-me-threads-get-a-new-hobby/710629.md?page=3)