u/Odd-Split-494

Things like:

-Hating on Morgan

-Jokes about Israel

-Calling fans unwashed losers

-Swearing = Hazbin

Unlike many applications of the word “slop”, hater slop ACTUALLY fits the bill. It’s lazy, cheap, and meaningless. People keep repeating it not because they actually think it’s funny or true, but to jump on a bandwagon. And in the process, they sand down the edges of actual talking points until those edges turn into curves. They’re thought-terminating cliches.

I (27F) was at the pool yesterday. As I was swimming, I came across a group of kids who asked me to be the judge for a game they were playing (they wanted to see how long each of them could stay submerged, and asked me to time it). I said yes, and that was that.

Now, I’ve been told that I look young for my age, and I think the kids thought that I was a teenager. After I had judged their game, they wanted to keep talking to me. I didn’t mind because I have a soft spot for kids. But it became apparent through the things they were saying that they saw me as more of a peer than a stranger.

Eventually, one of the kids asked me why don’t men get pregnant, and it suddenly occurred to me that I am an adult talking to a bunch of children, and I don’t know where their parents are or if they would approve of me talking to their kids.

I tried to extricate myself from the situation, but the kids didn’t seem to understand that anything was wrong.

I said, “I think you should ask your parents if it’s okay for you to hang out with me.” They asked me why, and I didn’t know what to tell them.

Eventually, the kid who asked me the question that made me so uncomfortable got her mother, and I explained the situation. I apologized for letting it get out of hand, and she said it was okay and that I did the right thing. According to the mom, her daughter is the type of person to make friends with everyone. I thanked her for reassuring me, and we all parted on good terms.

Here’s where I might be overreacting. In some ways, I am chronically online, and I was terrified that I could be mistaken for a groomer by continuing to talk to these kids after they started asking me those weird questions. I didn’t have any ill intentions, of course, but we live in a world where seemingly any adult who willingly interacts with a child outside of family or work is seen as a manchild at best or a groomer at worst. Part of me thought I should have gotten the parents’ permission before even judging the kids’ game.

Did I overreact?

I’ve seen the same few takes over and over again for YEARS! Aren’t the haters themselves bored by it all? A lot of this really doesn’t feel genuine; it feels like people who, in reality, have NO opinion but are just repeating what they’ve seen because they think that‘s the “acceptable“ take.

Meanwhile, vast swaths of the internet (and, indeed, of the world) have never heard of Hazbin Hotel, or The Amazing Digital Circus, or even Invincible. SOME people actually read, watch, and discuss media that’s older than 5 years.

Are they just that bored that this is the only thing they care about?

It is almost midnight in my area as I am typing this. Bernie has gone through his nighttime routine and gone to bed, but he’s barking at the top of his lungs. He started 20 minutes ago, and he isn’t stopping. I can’t sleep!! 😩 How do I make him STOOOOOOOOP?!

EDIT: Apparentl, he wants attention. I entered my parents’ room (which is also his room), and the barking stopped instantly. So now, I guess I have to sleep in my parents’ room (they’re currently away). I’m not getting a good night sleep tonight. I can’t fall asleep in any mattress other than my own. 😭

Damn it, Bernie! I just wanna SLEEP!!! 😴 🥺😢