Taking the Bait
By Amber
@AmbiePam (92536)
United States
March 12, 2013 4:47pm CST
This can apply to life outside of mylot, but I see it all the time here on this website. Someone posts a discussion and they are setting up a group of people to respond how the discussion starter KNOWS they will (setting the trap). And then they and a lot of other people can go in for the kill and try to trap them with their own answers (when they have taken the bait). It doesn't even have to be a nefarious discussion. I'm not saying someone starts a discussion with the intent of bringing someone to their proverbial knees. But I see it, and I try to never join in. Because I know what the discussion starter wants, and I'm not going there. That of course happens a lot in life. I can think of several times growing up, that happening with my sister and me. I'd like to think we grew out of baiting each other.
*I can pretty much guarantee if you are reading this and thinking I'm talking about you in particular, I am not. So people, please try not to be paranoid and think I'm singling you out. I have over 1,600 e-mails in my inbox and many are mylot discussions. I am way behind on this site.
3 people like this
15 responses
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
13 Mar 13
I've been in a few of those discussions, I wandered in and didn't agree with what was being said, or worse, voiced my opinion and got lambasted for it. I didn't care, I believe in stating my opinion when asked and backing it up with facts but most people don't want facts, they lead with feelings. You've got a lot of e-mails!
2 people like this
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
13 Mar 13
I know Mike, I was just helping out the less informed.
2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
12 Mar 13
I do see it a lot here within religion and politics like PQ said. Other times I don't think it is done on purpose and people take things the wrong way. I think it could happen to anyone. Have a discussion in your head, think it will go one way and out of no where it takes a complete turn in another direction!
But I know there are some discussion starters who do it on purpose as well...
2 people like this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
13 Mar 13
tell bunny bon don't feel bad as Hatley was not sure either just what that meant now I understand., In other words the discussion maker is putting the fox to guard the hen house in hopes of a big
fat flame throwing arguments?I would not do that as thats just so childish,I come here for some peace not for wars. I hp e I have never made a discussion like that.not intentionally anyway
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Mar 13
oh i see thats it.
its like meaning to start an argument?
now i see why the kids say to me they arent taking the bait when we talk about some things
they think im trying to start something
oh my!
its like meaning to start an argument?
now i see why the kids say to me they arent taking the bait when we talk about some things they think im trying to start something oh my!2 people like this
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Mar 13
Yes bunnybon. =) That is what they are trying to say! 
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
12 Mar 13
I agree with PQ, posts like that are usually in the politics or religion interests and though I suspect, I won't say anything because I could be wrong. I rarely go into politics, but sometimes a religion one I will go into, depending on if I feel led to reply, if not then I just skip it, like you, which is probably for the best..
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
12 Mar 13
i try not to avoid those kinds of discussions, as i may have an opinion about the topic myself. this is a posting site with all kinds of people, who have all kinds of points of view.
2 people like this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
12 Mar 13
MoonGypsy, I don't know Ambie's reason, but mine is to avoid the flaming that can happen. Besides I have enough to talk about that I enjoy, without having to debate one's beliefs in religion or politics.
2 people like this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
12 Mar 13
I worked with someone like that at the bank.. gawd she drove me nuts. Constantly talking about how much she hated cats and if she saw one near her house.. like a stray or a neighbors cat that goes outside, she would shoot it. She knew how much it bothered me, and talked about it just to get me going. Normally if I could I'd just walk away from her when she got started. Even our other co-workers picked up on it and would say "She just says that stuff cause you're here" cause everyone else ignored it. I really don't like people like that!
2 people like this
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
12 Mar 13
now, i hate when ppl do that. some people just like to bring up conversations no one else wants to talk about.
2 people like this
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
12 Mar 13
Hi Amber. That happens a lot in religion and politics on here. I was on a religion topic the other day and it was nothing more than a way to bash believers. I should have known and stayed clear.
2 people like this
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
12 Mar 13
nevertheless, it's still only someone's opinion whether you agree with it or not.
1 person likes this
@Laurenlynn (715)
• Canada
13 Mar 13
Wow Ambie you had 1,600 emails you are just a popular gal. I am quite new here yet I enjoy most discussions, but I responded to some where I thought I could of said something different. I will be careful not to TAKE THE BAIT. AHA
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
13 Mar 13
"..1,600 e-mails in your inbox" - that's too funny!
One thing I like about this site and internet discussion, is, well, the discussion. My two favorite topics are religion and politics, and believe me, ya don't get to talk much about them in real life.. I like this site because it seems more polite than some others, as I believe a lot of folks are at their better behavior. Yes, internet discussion can be quite cutthroat! Though so can the same discussions in real life! But! I figure insults, etc, simply show a weak position and weak arguments. It's actually sort of unfair, though I hate to use that word, as usually some folks are 'allowed' to express their opinion, being the cool crowd (usually disdain and condescension) but the other view is supposed to be quiet. This applies in both topics, politics and religion. Kind of weird when you think about it. (I think condescension is a form of trying to censor.)
@r0ck_r0ck (1952)
• India
13 Mar 13
I honestly have no idea what kind of posts you are talking about. I just reply to post that are interesting, I don't really follow what others have to say unless i get a comment on my response, which to be honest very rarely happens haha.
1 person likes this
@MoonGypsy (4606)
• United States
12 Mar 13
i love those types of discussions. it makes things very interesting to see people go back and forth with one another on discussions.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
13 Mar 13
Hi AmbiePam I am trying to think of a discussion like that bu t am having a hard time trying to sccess just what you mean. I often write abut things that happen here at Gold Crest b ut I do not think I set up anything as I just want people to respond however they want to. I do not think I have ever done that to my knowledge. I have no idea when I write a discussion how others will respond and I know I do not set people up for that either.
1 person likes this
@marguicha (222883)
• Chile
13 Mar 13
I was thinking about this post, Hatley, and I could not remember any such thing either although I might have missed some things due to English not being my native language. I would not know how to set up people, I guess, not even in my own language.
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
12 Mar 13
i must be pretty dumb because ive never figured out what that meant. i dont even understand the concept
so i cant think you would be singleing me out. sometimes ive heard my kids use that phrase and even say they arent taking it when i say something. lol. maybe i do it and dont know it? i will have to read more of this discussion i guess to figure what its about. 
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
12 Mar 13
I also see this frequently and it is usualy politics or religion - something like that so I stay clear. do not want any stress from mylot in my life. There are a few posters that I am actually scared of
2 people like this
@kprofgames (3091)
• United States
13 Mar 13
Have seen that before and it's not all about religion or politics. This has been present in leaving details out all to tell responders how wrong they are as well. You've been around here long enough to see the patterns of participation for members so you have a firm hand on what is what with whom. I'm still relearning member's and their styles.
I think a person gets sucked into it a time or two before they realize it's just better not to respond then deal with the headache.
1 person likes this
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
13 Mar 13
I tried to be sellective in choosing which discussion I willgive respond to. Sometimes there are few people who are easy to irritate us with their respond. I never care to that kind of people. I will give my opinion and my view not to involve in a verbal fight
1 person likes this
