Nicholas,

Most people treat other people as their equals. A few individuals however, for some strange reason think of people as a source of amusement. It may be they're immature, coldhearted, mentally-challenged, or simply foolish. Whatever the case, it's not nice being the target of someone's private jokes.

I find that giving rational, sensible replies to their endless provocation only gives them what they want. I also find the thing they hate most is silence, so that's what I try to give them. It can be difficult sometimes, especially as we tend to think of them as normal people, but we should resist the temptation for empathy and treat them as they treat us - as their inferiors.

For all their pride and arrogance, they are quite a sorrowful lot.

• When one finger points at another, do you see the other 3 - quiet - November 5, 2002 - 20:53 UTC