I have a fairly large number of FB friends. Most are people I know, but some aren't. Some are total strangers, which I need for one of the ridiculously addictive games I play (yes, you heard the nerd!)
It always fascinates me to read through people's FB statuses, and what people are prepared to post to the general public, colleagues and friends..... which got me thinking- What is acceptable? What shouldn't be shared out of bad taste, or pure shock value? What is just too personal to be out there on the WWW??
I mean NONE of my FB friends put their sex life on their statuses... I have never seen "is going to go home and f*** her husband" or "is going to go home and spank the monkey" Can you imagine if your sister put "hoping to pull some hot bloke tonight and have wild and crazy sex" You'd be horrified!!! So where is the line drawn?
Even changing your relationship status is a big thing. Some people believe that changing from "single" to "in a relationship" gives you the "FB status Curse of Doom" where it inevitably all goes tits up very quickly and you end up shame-facedly changing it back, alerting everyone to "Joe is no longer in a relationship" with that cruel little broken heart, just to add more shame to the whole debacle.
But no one wants to read boring statuses. "Mindy is taking the cats to the vet" simply sparks a global yawn-fest... but what's boring to you or me, may be really exciting for the poster (a bit like blogs I guess?!) I have a friend that posts consistantly about her husband and 4 kids. How much she loves them, the funny little things they do. To her, they are her life and she wants to share that, and shout it out proud. So who are we to judge?
Another friend posted her innermost, darkest thoughts after losing someone. Maybe it was a cry for help, maybe she was so angry at the world, she wanted to lash out.
It shocked a lot of people, upset a lot of others, and really worried the people close to her- was it the right thing to do? Maybe, maybe not- only she will ever be able to answer that. Is it wrong to think that kind of update shouldn't be shared on a 1 line status update?
A FB "friend" (ie someone I chatted to, but had never met) took his own life earlier this week. His wife and mother used his FB page to update his friends on his rapidly deteriorating situation. People from all over the world sent love, prayers and eventually condolences to his family. They took strength from all the support, even posting which hospital he was in and where, so people could visit.
It was sad to watch it all unfold, but it was also incredibly touching to see how people all over the world can unite in support and grief when someone is hurting.
Personally, I love reading soppy updates "loves his girlfriend and can't wait to meet junior" puts a smile on my face and a warm glow in my heart. Even "loves her snookums" makes me laugh, because it's great to see people happy and smitten!!
I also laugh out loud when girls get all twisted and jealous and post comments all over their man's FB page like a dog pissing out their territory.
I have a lot of guy friends- and I do mean friends, not "friends". I ALWAYS know when they have a new GF, because the minute I put a comment on one of their pics (like "OMG how hammered were YOU?!?") these new chicks never fail to lay their ownership down with a follow up comment "Oh baby, that was such a funny night!!! lol xxx" or "omg, I cant believe I had to carry you home babes xx"
Seriously?? If you're that insecure about your relationship, it's doomed already. Chill out, breathe..... stop being a FB stalker love, it's not a good look and breeds a whole new form of jealousy that your man is not going to appreciate.
The "angry posters" also make me laugh... the ones who rant about their commute from hell into work for example- but if all you ever do is rant, it gets pretty boring after a while. Do it well, and it can be belly-laughingly brilliant. Do it badly and you just end up looking bitter and twisted- after all, there is only so many posts you can read about "the effing tube journey to work" before you start wondering whether they should just get another damn job where they can get the bus instead?!?
Anyway, I guess the long and short of it is that most people want to be able to laugh, smile or celebrate when reading FB statuses, or at least be given a little time to reflect.
That's FB Etiquette.... or is it just me?
xxx
No comments:
Post a Comment