I’ll bet you think that a put down artist is some arrogant bloviator who rains on your parade as soon as it gets underway.  That, too.

Actually, we all have the potential of being put down artists inadvertently.

When our child comes home from school and says “I got three A’s and one B” and we ask, “What did you get a B in?”  Of course, we should say, “Tell me about your grades” in a less judgmental way.  It’s not like they’re flunking out of school.

But real put down artists can be brutal.

When I was appointed professor of music industry at the University of Southern California, one of my “good friends” took my breath away when he said, “How did YOU get to be a professor?” as if to say being an ex-dj disqualifies me when ironically it was actually the reverse.

I joked, that USC ran out of candidates and chose me but I knew the real reason I was brought in to write and teach courses on music, broadcasting and the mobile future.

Or how about this one:  I’ve been married three times so I can’t tell you the number of times I have heard “which one” when I refer to an ex.  Really?  Which one?  Like you care.

Humor is always a good way to introduce a person to their insensitivity.

It’s bad enough that adults struggle with put down artists but it is monumental when children and teens are confronted with it.

I’m in the advanced group, you’re not (like it matters in the end).

You’re fat (what does my weight have to do with you).

No one likes you (did you hold an election?).

Insert your own indignities here because I’m sure you know what I am talking about.

The most effective way to put down a put down artist is to cut off their oxygen by not responding to their hurtful comments with the full knowledge that there is only one you and you’re pretty darn awesome.

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