Remember my post about how addicting blogging is and how I've discovered so many blogs out in the World Wide Web?

Along with that discovery, I've also become painfully aware of how snobbish so many bloggers can be.

And perhaps this snobbery extends into the real world because, after all, bloggers are real people too.

Every blogger blogs for a reason.  In my opinion, blogging is a way to connect.  Obviously, someone who is an introvert, would not be blogging.  Blogging is for the individual who feels they have something to say, something to contribute.

With that said, why are bloggers still so unwilling to reach out?  Is it fear?  Is it low self-esteem?

Whether we admit it or not, every blogger wants traffic.  Every blogger's dream is to check their blog the next day and find tons of comments.  That is why contests are so popular.  But at the same time, they don't seem willing to play the game for it.

I've seen how some bloggers reach out to EVERYONE.  They put everyone they encounter on their blogroll, they send e-mails to new commentators, they make their audience feel loved.  From what I can tell, these bloggers are doing really well.  They have a large audience and they are well loved.  Even if they don't always have something important to say, they have gained the loyalty of their readers.

Then there are the rest of us.  The struggling bloggers, who write everyday but don't feel noticed.

Well, I can tell you why that is... bloggery snobbery.

Case in point.  You meet a fellow blogger, you exchange e-mails, get to know each other.
In my mind, the next step after "courting" is over, is to invite each other over.  In the blogosphere that means putting each other's site on your respective blogroll.

But this is usually where the relationship ends.  Because one or both bloggers thinks that she is the cat's meow and therefore better than the other blogger.  Why would she stoop down as low as putting the other blogger's Less Than Thou's site on her blogroll?

This is the simple act of networking.  And that's what most bloggers miss.  They fail at the same relational act that they might fail at in person.

I have a friend who works in a large office building.  She is not a very outgoing person but she has made it her mission to be more sociable.  One day she was telling about how she always says "hello" to people in her building as she walks by them.  You would think this is a no-brainer.  She says hi, they respond and that's the end of it, right?  Unfortunately, there are the people who completely ignore her.  And I'm not talking about the woman who is too far down the hall and can't see you because she should've renewed her glasses prescription two years ago.  I mean these individuals are within touching distance and she's looking right into their eyes.

WHAT IS THAT ABOUT?!

How do you ignore someone who is looking right at you and smiling?

It seems to me that these are the people who haven't come out of high school yet.  Remember back in high school when the "cool kids" walked by everyone else as if they didn't exist.  I remember when I became a senior.  I decided to try my new found status and I walked by a group of freshmen and completely ignored them.  It felt good for about a millisecond.  Then I felt like an asshole for the rest of the month!!

What's the point of being antisocial?  Everyone knows that you use less muscles smiling than scowling.  So, why do we persist in making more work for ourselves.  The world would be such a better place if everyone were more civil.

My mom used to speak in parables and half the time I never understood what she was saying.  But one things she used to say did make sense and that is, you catch more bees with honey.  Civility is an amazing thing.


So, if you're a mom and you're out congratulating yourself this weekend for being such a great parent, ask yourself if you're doing your part in teaching your child social skills.

Too many kids are growing up today attached to their technology (iPods, cell phones, laptops, etc), but they are not being taught the most important skill they will need in life; how to be social!

Like it or not, we all have to live in this world and it is full of people.  We CANNOT shut ourselves up in a bubble and not interact.  People were created for the sole purpose of being social.  That is why they are the only species that can communicate in so many ways.  There is oral language, body language, emotional intelligence, and written language.  And if you're open-minded there is telepathy and all kinds of other untapped phenomenon.

Put an end to snobbery.  Reach out and interact with the human beings around you!