Haters

Not because I'm paranoid, quite the opposite. I always assume I have twice as many haters because I believe that people, by nature of being human, are inherently good and loving. I have learned the hard way, however, that some people have had the goodness and love beaten out of them by the world and unnaturally seek hate. I, apparently, by nature of my loud, persistent voice and utter disregard for preconceived social hierarchy, am an easy target. 

I used to care if people hated me, not because I couldn't handle the idea that someone didn't like me (don't worry, I graduated middle school), but because, with such a young, intellectual mind in an uncertain world, I wanted to know who I was and where I fit in. If bullies now were like they were in elementary school, it would have been easy. I'd know exactly where I stand because someone would throw a packet of fruit snacks at the back of my head and say I can't play with them at recess. As we've grown up, however, we've progressed into a world with social rules and secret codes, and disliking someone you go to school with isn't as simple as saying, "I don't want to be friends with you" anymore. 

As adults, we're bound to social niceties by the people we work with. You can't tell someone to their face that you think their voice is loud and their ideas are too creative, and they, as they are, are too much; it would make meetings far too awkward. Some people are compelled to share their radical opinions, though, so they settle for the next best thing: spreading a rumor and hoping you hear anyway– but not from them. 

This being said, as a playwright who loves a sharp line of dialogue, I started keeping a list of the most intriguing quotes. Below is my "hater quote hall-of-fame," or the best rumors and nasty comments that have been said about me behind my back. Hopefully, they'll give you a laugh, as they do for me. 

Or, maybe, they'll give you a healthy dose of perspective.