I subscribe to the "it's okay to like/dislike things but don't be a dick about it" philosophy. Then again, whenever I see the "if you don't like it don't read it!!!!!" excuse or the "all stories are cliche!!!!" excuse or anything similar I just roll my eyes because it's a way to avoid all criticism without acknowledging any faults about the thing they like. It's super annoying when people get all defensive about the things they like and act as if any dissenting opinions are also insults against them. 😐

Basically I'm saying that it's okay to like series that aren't very good objectively, but you have to be willing to acknowledge those faults too and not just be all "NUH UH THIS IS AWESOME AND YOU ARE DUMB" when someone says it's not good. Hell, my favourite ongoing manga right now is Magi, and I'll be the first to admit that there are certain things that it could do better.

I, sadly, am in the not quite 2 percent who get mad and leave. GRRR... #;( But at the time, I can't think of what I want to say, then a week or two later I come up with a brilliant riposte. Also Buddhism has taught me that it's not necessary to have an opinion about everything, so I just feel sorry for people that want to be angry. That was a big mental relief. But I still get mad at the morality and religious police. The food police too. Goes off to drink coffee while smoking a cigarette... jk

(Of course, in even suggesting such a poll I was complaining about people complaining. I see that. I accept my flaws.)

Quote from nanpa

it really depends on if they're bashing it or not. If they're just saying 'eh I don't like it' or are bringing up valid points it doesn't bother me and might start an interesting discussion. But if they're bashing it (and its fans) incessantly for no apparent reason aside from to get a rise out of i ...

A phrase I have gathered from this whole discussion and will carry around and use forever...

" then I might start to get annoyed by the person's existence."... I will say, 'annoyed by the person's very existence". But I won't use it directly and hurt anyone's feelings. But a good sentence to be clutched to my bosom.