Social media etiquette advice offered for campaign season

SAN ANTONIO – In this political season, etiquette seems to be a lost concept, especially on social media.

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller on Tuesday tweeted out poll numbers using a derogatory term for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. His campaign apologized, disavowing the post, but it was indicative of the vitriol that has become a hallmark of the election season.

"We have gotten really, really angry this time," etiquette expert Diane Gottsman said.

Gottsman, the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, teaches etiquette for everything from dining to social media.

"I think that once you get it out there and you start getting really aggressive with your words, it really sets the tone, and it says something about you," she said.

Maybe someone feels they have to post it. They just can't believe people feel this way, and they have to let off a torrent of tweets about it.

"I just say you don't," she said. "I think that when you start ranting, you lose your power."

If you want to post about election stuff, be respectful. Gottsman said to avoid name calling and also avoid posting all the time.

"If you are just on a social media site and you are just spewing your opinions nonstop, they have either hid you, deleted you or ignored you," Gottsman said.

Gottsman said people are judging your posts and they'll remember them.

Her lessons are worth remembering for after the election too. On Tuesday, someone's winning and someone's losing, and the country will have to live with that.

"I think that you get behind the winning team," Gottsman said. "We become united and do what's best for our country."