Here's a little role-play for you.

You've had a disagreement with a relative, let's say it's a cousin. You decide to speak to your cousin to try and clear the air. Do you:

a) Arrange to meet your cousin in a quiet location and discuss the matter privately.

b) Talk to your cousin over the phone talking as loudly as possible to ensure that anyone overhearing can tell how upset you are.

c) Arrange a big family gathering and then have a noisy arguement with your cousin, allowing everyone to take sides and join in.

It doesn't take a family psychologist to work out that option 'a' is the least likely to amplify the problem and the most likely to result in a peaceful outcome.

It's said you should never wash your dirty laundry in public. Well internet marketing is no different. It might not be a family, but marketing in isolation is impossible for most and whether you like it or not at some point you will need the help or collaboration of others in the industry.

To be effective at this, you need to learn how to get along with your fellow workers.

Disagreements are bound to occur and on occasion someone may do something (intentionally or unintentionally) that upsets you. I'm not talking about simple differences of opinion, normal in a forum, I'm talking about a perceived personal attack or slight. How you deal with that scenario will speak volumes about the kind of business person you are.

At NO point does arguing with someone publicly (ie - in a forum) help the situation. The vast majority of the time it simply makes both parties look unreasonable and juvenile.

Regardless of who is in the right or the wrong, public squabbling is no good for anyone.

So next time, someone upsets you or you upset them, take the high road.

Send a friendly email, make a polite phone call, or type an apologetic private message.

Try and resolve the situation in private and, if you can't find a middle ground, agree to disagree and go your seperate ways. And hey, you might just find the whole thing was a misunderstanding and you finish up with a good friend at the end of it.

I come into contact with a lot of very intelligent, very affable people that spoil their good reputation by arguing in public or showing a lack of respect for others. Sometimes all that's needed is a simple apology.

Ok, I'm off my soapbox now. There are a lot of really great people in this industry and I'm grateful to know all of you.