Play more co-op games. I've played a lot of cooperative games (mostly in Splinter Cell Chaos Theory and DOOM 3), and I can't think of a single instance of my partner saying or doing something to offend my not-so-delicate sensibilities. Usually, we'll get matched up, start to play the game, and have a pretty nice time. I've had games when we'll just be talking about whatever for a while and some in which we don't talk much, but it's always a good time. I've actually made some good Live friends this way, which makes it all the more likely that I'll be playing with someone cool every time I get on. This actually leads into my next suggestion...

Surround yourself with good people. The best way to avoid the type of people that you hate is to make lots of friends. If you play a game with someone that has a good sense of humor or seems like they be fun to play with again, send them a friend request. It can't hurt, especially if you leave them a voice message or a funny text message. Most people on Live want to find other kindred souls, and this is the best way do it. I've never even met most of the people on my Friend's List in real life, but I'll play with them just about every chance I get.

What did you just call my buddy?!?

While those aren't the only things that can be done to make Live more hospitable for everyone, they're certainly a good place to start. There's no way that we'll be able to get rid of all the racists, homophobes, and jerks on Live, but we can all try to counteract the bad vibes that they give off. Of course, the best way to do this is to just be better at the game than they are. A bullet in the head should keep them from running their mouth too much.

As I said in the opening paragraph, most of the people on Live have horror stories about some of the atrocious stuff they've heard people utter. Well, I'd like to hear them! Send me an email and tell me about some of the names you've been called or the people who piss you off the most. Your response might make it into a later column!

[My So-Called Live is written by Will Tuttle, who swears like a drunken sailor, even in front of his &$#@% grandma.]

Have any questions? Feel like challenging me to a game online? Any topics you'd like to suggest for future columns? Drop me a line! I promise I'll write back if you're nice. Or even if you're not.