Ever since I started blogging, people have always had one initial question... "What is blogging?" and then "how is that your job?" Well I've decided to finally lay out in words for those who can't seem to get their head around it. For bloggers, it seems crazy that people still don't understand the concept, but I guess thats because we are so far into it that we can't imagine a life without it anymore.
The other day I was invited down to Stanstead Airport (more about this will be up on the blog soon) while there, I encountered one of the rudest ladies I have ever met (nothing and no one to do with the reason why I was there) she was the lady organising my pass for me so that I could get through the security.
She took one look at my application form and said in a really unapproving voice "you're a blogger are you" to which I replied that yes I was. And then she was just silent. Sounds a little bit awkward right? But it gets worse. Once she finished filling everything out she said "so do you just sit and write little comments about people then". Firstly, many people don't understand what blogging is and I am more than happy to explain. But there's no reason to make such a rude comment about something myself, and many people around the world work extremely hard at and confusing us with internet trolls.
Her ignorance towards the subject of blogging was made worse when she said, "doesn't have a very good rep does it, this blogging'. I just thought how deep can this lady dig this hole? To her surprise (for once) I didn't just take it and move on. I said "I don't just write little comments about people, I write articles, I have a journalism degree." Although I said I have a degree, I know that many bloggers don't have a degree or any background in journalism, but that doesn't take anything away from their achievements and their writing skills.
Not only are we writers. We are photographers, editors, stylists, make up artists, hairdressers, food critics and much much more than you could ever imagine. We combine what used to be one job per person and have created a job that includes several different roles for one person. It's not easy. And it sure as he'll isn't just about 'sitting and writing comments about people'. Although some bloggers do focus on celebrity culture, it shouldn't be the one thing that people associate blogging with. There is a whole realm of blogging from fashion, to technology. If you can think of it, I'm sure there's someone out there who's blogging about it. If not, why not start yourself?
There's that saying, "he who ask a question remains a fool for five minutes, he who does not ask remains a fool forever". This is something that I couldn't agree with more. If you don't understand something, just ask, don't make assumptions, and sure as hell, do not speak out of ignorance. The world of blogging is a new concept, and it's so different to regular jobs, but it is a thing, and it's here to stay. So to that rude lady, thanks for inspiring my new blog post, where I have made a little comment about you.
Have you ever encountered someone who didn't really understand something and was trying to belittle you? How did you deal with it?
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