I wrote a comment on my aunt’s Facebook page and then some unknown Russian freakazoid told me that I “spout garbage.” Russian trolls are not like those form anywhere else. You can’t repel them with aggression because they will always turn out to be angrier, meaner, and scarier than you. But I know them and I have the best weapon against them.
“Please excuse me, Ma’am,” I wrote, “I will not be able to continue a discussion with you in this tone. My upbringing prevents me from doing so. I wish you all the best!”
The freakazoid is surely collapsing in rage now. Post-Soviet people hate to be reminded of their gutter origins and horrible manners.
Clarissa's Blog 
You are a class act Clarissa!
As I am decades older than Class-act Clarissa, I sometimes enjoy revisting the Soviet Period…my particular favourite act of diplomacy was recalling Khrushchev, taking off his shoe and banging it on the table.
…….it sure got the Amerikanskis attention!
observer Jules
LikeLike
Of all the Secretaries General we had before Gorbachev, he was the best. And that in itself is really sad.
LikeLike
It’s similar in Poland. Calling someone primitive or backwards (or not European) is far more crushing than crude aggression (or moral arguments for that matter).
“Is this Europe? Certainly not!” (said with a sniffy dismissive tone) is guaranteed to create more dismay than mere invective.
LikeLike
I have no idea how the hell I’ve managed to live for 25 years in Eastern Europe and never think of this trick. Thank you.
LikeLike