User blog comment:Ceras SanMarina/Some rants!/@comment-2056547-20100613050955

Fandom can be a scary place. I don't visit very often. Mostly I lurk.

If I run across an interesting discussion I'll read it, but I generally don't contribute, either because I don't feel suitably informed about the subject or don't want to accidentally break up a good conversation. I endorse pairings quietly, and only support my OTPs through the occasional fanfic. If I get a psycho fangirl review, I ignore it. This is how I avoid flamewars and pissin' contests.

But fandom is also the only thing about Hetalia that I really enjoy. For every ten cracky, poorly researched, 'my pairing is the best' fanfics, there's at least one that digs deep or soars above. This is why I still like Hetalia, because for every flamewar I carefully avoid, there's usually a discussion on Danish accents and etymology I can enjoy. Maybe I'm just a nerd.

My problem is that, if I do happen to get caught up in a flamewar, I don't behave too maturely (-_-;;;). I love to argue, so I can really get vicious. Lately, I'm having to restrain myself more and more as new fans pour in. It seems like the majority of newcomers are, unfortunately, more interested in squeeing than in being respectful, which has led to plenty of conflicts on sites I follow (read, lurk on). Thoughts?