4 hours ago
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Q: A friend reposted a clever political cartoon on Facebook and added his own comment: “Some’s it up.” Should I comment publicly: “Agree, this cartoon really sums it up!” or contact him directly so he can edit the mistake? B.M., Neutral Bay, NSW
A: Public Language Usage Shaming (PLUS) is a cruel and humiliating blood sport. A few weeks back, I was out with friends, holding everyone spellbound with a riveting tale about how I forgot to remove the tiny plastic tag-fastener on a new pair of undies, and it had completely ruined my day because I was walking around with a sharp piece of plastic poking into my privates.
Being the urbane, TV-chat-show raconteur was such a thrill until someone said, “It’s ru-ined. Two syllables. You said rooned my day”, then everyone started laughing and mocking me, going “rooned, rooned”. I graciously laughed along but, secretly, I was squirming in my seat with embarrassment (and also because I still had that sharp piece of plastic poking into my privates).
So, as much fun as PLUS can be for the shamers, it’s devastating for the poor victim whose only crime is to have been a bit lazy or a bit drunk or to have spent too many school days gazing out of a classroom window at a dog or a wheelie bin with a nice yellow lid.
No need to publicly call out your Facebook friend’s mistake. Message them directly and
shift the blame by writing, “Agree, this cartoon really sums it up! Bloody autocorrect, hey?” It’s OK, computers don’t get hurt, they have no soul – they will soon but, for now, go for it.
And let me finish with an appeal to all the PLUS bullies out there: whether it’s online or in person, this shaming has got to stop because every time it happens, it completely roons someones day.
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