Poll: Mocked or Interrupted?

[Khedive Rex]

You'll forgive me. I think far too much about human psycology for my own good. Typically I'll figure out whatever question is plauging me without bothering those around me but in this particular case I encountered something I honestly wasn't sure about.

Human beings have egos, it's pretty much unavoidable. Maybe smaller egos, maybe larger egos but when you break it down everyone has some kind of an ego. It seems to me there are two distinct methods of assaulting said ego, the first being best represented by mocking and the second being best represented by interrupting.

Mocking is the direct method. You say directly that whatever the target is proud of or hold's dear is unimportant or incorrect. Of course, in doing that you can't help but make the target the center of attention.

Interruption is the subtle method. You say quite clearly that the target is not important enough to merit anymore of your time. Of course, doing this leaves the target with everything they're proud of undisturbed.

The question, which of these methods do you personally find more tolerable? Secondary question, why? And, what do you think that reveals about you?

Oh, and just for clarification, mocking is not teasing and interrupting isn't kindly interjecting. We're talking about full force, no qualms, the intention being to convey dislike.

Personally, I would much rather be mocked than interrupted. At some basic level I think a good mocking may actually be amusing. You get to see what someone honestly thinks about you and honestly thinks you would find irritating whereas interruption doesn't give you anything to analyze.

What might this reveal about me (or possibly people like me)? I would think it means we're extroverted and self-confident on the borders of arrogant. The opinion of the people mocking us doesn't really matter as much more than a curiosity because we know on a basic level that we're right. As long as they're talking about us we're happy whereas when they simply stop caring about us and our opinion we are somewhat affronted.

So, the reason I posted this, is that a fair summarry? If not where did I go wrong? And what would the other side say about themselves?

(if this doesn't interest anyone else, sorry. Like I said, I think way too much about psycological issues.)

 

[Goenitz]

Wow, very interesting poll. Personally, I would have to agree with you regarding being interrupted. There's nothing more infuriating than being disrupted while speaking. Mocking is fine, infact ive been known to mock a little myself. If you can catch me saying something stupid enough that it warrants a good mocking, then more power to you. But goddamn it, what I say is usually important, and it would do you well to listen, because I dont repeat myself.

 

[OverlordSteve]

I hate them both, but Mocking is easier to counter.

To make an analogy, Mocking is the equivilant of a punch, while Interruption is a Pinch. If someone punches you, you punch back. If someone pinches you, it's not as painful, but more annoying. However you can't get mad, because they'll tell you to "Take a Joke." by far the most annoying phrase ever.

 

[rryyann]

I would much much rather be mocked.
Because I hate when you just try to say something
And then someone not-so-kindly interjects.
And then they start a new topic, and someone who relies that the other person was an ass
Goes up to you and says something like; "What were you trying to say before?"
And then you say what you were trying to say, and people just look at you funny because it has nothing to do with the current conversation topic.

 

[SteinFaust]

mocking is the lesser of two infuriants(yes i think i made a word too).
these are mostly done with malice, and in front of other people to avoid making a scene or deter an asskicking (most people won't attack in a public setting for fear of being fired, expelled,banned watev) but these mocks can either be solved by witty remark (retaliation or dismissive) or the simple equation "BFT+F".

 

[Larenxis]

I'm not really bothered by either, unless it's multiple people.

 

[Spartan Bannana]

I'm likely to hit someone if they overdo it with the mocking, so I'd rather be interrupted

 

[luckshot]

interesting...a tie
i chose being mocked, because then you might be able to show where they are wrong, or ignore them and continue, in fact mocking seems to just that, like the op said

 

[Llil]

Neither bothers me so I chose being mocked, because it's a perfect opportunity to start a meaningless argument. I really like arguing with people, especially when they start to lose their temper.

 

[_Serendipity_]

I have the self-esteem of a shriveled walnut, so I prefer interruption. Less damaging to my ego.
Slightly.
Plus it's usually fairly easy to just interrupt back, which will, worst case, end up in a shouting match, which is less ego-damaging than being mocked.

 

[000Ronald]

I'd prefer to be mocked, because at least the person doing it has the gull to tell me they hate my ever-loving guts.

Sorry for using the E word.

 

[Zemalac]

Being mocked is infinately preferable because it can be countered, whether through logic and arguement or through illogic and mocking them in return. Interrupting is just infuriating because they don't give you a chance to get your idea across.

 

[vede]

I'd prefer to be mocked, because at least the person doing it has the gull to tell me they hate my ever-loving guts.

Sorry for using the E word.

I might be missing a joke, but the only word beginning with "E" in your post is "ever." What's wrong with that?

Anyway, it depends on how long I have to answer. If I have to answer in five seconds, I'd say interruption, because mocking is actively offensive. If I had time to think, I would say mocking, because interruption cannot be argued against.

 

[ReepNeep]

I hate them both, but Mocking is easier to counter.

To make an analogy, Mocking is the equivilant of a punch, while Interruption is a Pinch. If someone punches you, you punch back. If someone pinches you, it's not as painful, but more annoying. However you can't get mad, because they'll tell you to "Take a Joke." by far the most annoying phrase ever.

Then you pop them one in the nose. When they recover their wits and give you the inevitable 'WTF?' you respond with 'What, don't you like slapstick?'.

 

[Calobi]

I far prefer being mocked. I don't much care about other people's opinions, and less so if they feel that mine are wrong and that that fact must be made present. My opinions are what I think, right, wrong, or a mix of the two. I don't care if you spend all your time insulting me for believing whatever, because all you've wasted is your time and breath.

Being interrupted annoys me because I was raised to be courteous and when someone else doesn't follow what I believe to be "good" manners, it annoys me because I can't really do anything without dropping to their level.

 

[Hurray Forums]

I'm not really bothered by either of those. What usually does bother me is completely ignoring something I have to say. Interrupting me in the middle of what I'm saying or mocking me to show disagreement is perfectly fine with me because everyone is entitled to their opinion. However completely ignoring my thoughts and not even giving them a chance to see if you agree really bothers me because it demonstrates a complete lack of an open mind.

 

[the monopoly guy]

I'm good at retorts.

 

[Reaperman Wompa]

To laugh at others you must first be able to laugh at yourself.

Interrupting sucks as it is more offensive as it doesn't say you made a stupid point, it says you made a point not worth acknowledging, to be ignored rather than at least be reasonably called an idiot and told to shut up, this i can deal with.

Me: Blah Blah meaning full question Blah...
Other guy: I don't care look at me.
Me: Oh it's on

 

[Eiseman]

The way I see it, mocking someone is pretty difficult to do. It requires prior knowledge of someone else's egocentric weaknesses, and an open window to exploit them, but pulling it off just right can be greatly damaging.

Interrupting someone is much easier to do, and consequently occurs much, much more frequently. This makes it much less harmful to one's ego, but its frequent occurrence makes it all the more annoying.

Myself, I'd rather be mocked. The chances are just too low that anyone can actually do it properly at me, and it doesn't happen often enough to get irritating. That's how I rationalize it.

 

[Lord Krunk]

Interrupting is annoying, mocking shows everyone how much of a retard you are.

Of course, neither is really that tolerable, but Mocking is easier to bear.