A handy guide to hating people on social media

I recently saw this post on my social media stream from a fellow in Australia:

Dear Americans. You think everybody loves you. We don’t. We hate you.

I give this man credit for his efficiency. Offending 330 million people in 12 words.

But he inspired me to tell you a story about me and Russia. It changed my worldview and might provide some insight into hating people on social media …

I meet the Russians

About ten years ago, I was invited by a well-known European brand to provide a marketing workshop to their regional leaders. The conference would be held in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

I had been to Russia several times, but this was a period of particular tension. I worried about making it through passport control and customs. Would an American even be allowed into the country? My wife did not want me to go on the trip.

But my travel was fine, and when I immersed myself in the country and its people, I had a great time. In fact, I was welcomed with open arms and treated like a king. During my workshop, I made many new friends from Belarus, Kazakstan, Azerbaijan, and other nations in the region. I still keep in touch with them.