Facebook Etiquette - TriStateTuners.com :: Home of Tristate Auto Enthusiast

Fujito · 11-13-2010, 12:49 PM

I wrote this for my writing class. We had to write a 3 page process analysis, and not knowing what to write about I diverted my attention to Facebook to pass time. I looked at the global status page, thought some of the things people wrote were retarded, and I realized I found my topic. I admit I do or have done some of these things I wrote about, but it makes for an entertaining read if you're bored. Also, I bet this can generate some interesting conversation since we can all relate.

Facebook—it marks the beginning and the end of your day; it is your online reference to the personal information of all your friends and family; it is your ultimate tool to stay connected. Beyond the multitudes of Internet coding and all the mumbo-jumbo that makes Facebook work lies something even more convoluted than all of that—the social aspect. Facebook has over 500 million users worldwide. Collectively, users spend over 700 billion minutes on Facebook every month. Between Farmville and breaking up with a girlfriend via a status update, Facebook has upset the conventional way of… well, life. This article thoroughly explains the proper way to conduct oneself while using and perusing through this gigantic online aggregation of people.

Mark Zuckerberg may be a somewhat socially awkward, pretentious, genius billionaire, but that does not mean you have to be. The first step to being a civil user is to use Facebook in moderation. The fastest way to becoming a Facebook degenerate is by making yourself seem too available via constant status updates, comments, uploads, and likes.

Unfortunately, most connections do not care about frivolous events such as “boreeeeed” or “watching a movie” or “taking a shower”. Not surprisingly the latter example may very well incite two hundred comments, especially if it is a girl’s status update, but be real—it is only because they are a bunch of creepers. So if you average twenty or so status updates an hour, then your friends most likely think you are crazy and have no life. This is actually ironic since you are posting exactly what you are doing in life. Still, that does not matter because the perception created is that you spend too much time on Facebook.

Building upon the shower example in the last paragraph, do not be a creeper. It may seem totally logical and harmless to friend request that girl you otherwise have no way of realistic meeting in person, but be warned: you are being a creeper. You may reason that it is okay because you have 20 mutual friends. Oh, and she goes to your school and is even in your class! Well, once upon a time, before tweets and the Jonas Brothers, a man would approach the woman of interest and create sounds out of his mouth, which would be received by her ears and magically translate into meaningful communication. This ancient interaction is known as “talking”, and it works. Do not confuse Facebook with eHarmony.

Befriend friends. Does anyone really have 1000 friends? 700? 500? 50? People do based on Facebook. Having 1000 friends is almost obnoxious. It begs the question of whether Facebook is simply a popularity contest where having the highest number of friends makes you a winner. Add people you personally know.

Keep a journal, not a Facebook. The status box is not preloaded to say “insert completely ambiguous status that is only meaningful to me”. If no one but yourself understands your status update, then what is the point of posting it? What is even worse are cryptic messages that are obviously about someone else. These kinds of status updates only generate drama. Sensitive personal matters should be kept private out of respect to those who are involved. Posting online creates an open forum for all 500 of your friends’ opinions.

Do not contradict yourself with your Facebook status. If you call out of work sick, miss a test because your fake great uncle died, or break plans with someone and lie about why, then absolutely do not post that you are having an awesome time getting drunk, or anything that contradicts your made up excuse. Even if you are not friends with your boss, teacher, or the person you ditched, chances are some of your friends know of the situation and this kind of action will only hurt your credibility.

Call, don’t wall. The Facebook wall is a casual means to communicate with friends. The wall should not replace other forms of communication, especially if the news is very important or urgent. How would you feel if your best friend died and the first time you hear about it was through a wall posting on Facebook? How about if your pregnant wife just went into labor and no one called you, but someone posted it on your wall to let you know? These situations call for a more immediate and personal means of communication. Hopefully the best friend or the husband in those two scenarios find out about the news before everyone else connected on Facebook does. So if the news is important and certain people deserve to hear it before the whole world does, call, don’t wall.

Do not break up over Facebook. Ending a relationship is no easy task, and it should’t be. Communicating via machines and reading text rather than talking in person or even on the phone has created a social disconnect within society. Facebook should not be a medium for divorce and break ups. The overall disconnect makes breaking up easier, but it also makes it less humane. If humans take the difficulty out of processes like breaking up then what is holding them back from doing the same with things like marriage proposals, or job interviews? Those things would certainly be easier if done through Facebook. Some things should just be done in person.

So to be a better, more civil Facebook user keep these rules of virtual engagement in mind next time you log on.

Whitekryptonit3 · 11-13-2010, 01:24 PM

lol i've broken up over FB once. I changed my status to single and stopped talking to her. Natural online events occurred afterwards.

Fujito · 11-13-2010, 01:31 PM

Why did you choose to do it that way?

Mz AriellEK9 · 11-13-2010, 01:37 PM

He didn't want the headache.

Fujito · 11-13-2010, 01:44 PM

I'm sure the route he took caused more of a headache and more drama.

PhillySVT · 11-13-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitekryptonit3

lol i've broken up over FB once. I changed my status to single and stopped talking to her. Natural online events occurred afterwards.

Classic!

Foolinaround · 11-13-2010, 04:08 PM

You sound like a smart ass through the middle paragraph,I like it.

Fujito · 11-13-2010, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foolinaround

You sound like a smart ass through the middle paragraph,I like it.

If this were Facebook you could just like it.

jspek · 11-13-2010, 04:41 PM

how about dont post song lyrics which mean nothing in your meaningless life?

Fujito · 11-13-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspek

how about dont post song lyrics which mean nothing in your meaningless life?

That goes along with the "keep a journal, not a Facebook" thing.

The way some people post very ambiguous statuses like "sad" or "I wish you would" are the same as posting lyrics that express how you feel, but no one else makes a connection.

DPancoast · 11-13-2010, 05:43 PM

good info here. def agree with it. also agree that I have learned the hard way that I used to use facebook too much. in some cases, I still do, but have def toned down lol

Carmine908 · 11-13-2010, 07:36 PM

My girlfriend broke up with me on facebook, I changed my status to single and she told me she wasn't thinking straight. She's blocked now umm yah

Mz AriellEK9 · 11-14-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspek

how about dont post song lyrics which mean nothing in your meaningless life?

haaaaterrr :P
I just use kid cudi lyrics.

trista · 11-15-2010, 12:16 PM

or.. I don't wanna send you "questions" in your inbox!!

jpalamar · 11-15-2010, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmine908

My girlfriend broke up with me on facebook, I changed my status to single and she told me she wasn't thinking straight. She's blocked now umm yah

I forgot to delete her myself.

I try to make my FB status a supid as possible.

Scapegoat · 11-15-2010, 12:40 PM

i don't like your assessment for the simple reason you imply that there is a specific way in which to use facebook. While i agree that what you say irks me when i see it... facebook would not be as popular, nor made whats his face so much money, without the blatant misuse of it's originally intended use.

by that, it makes it very ironic that such a tool that was misused shortly after it's inception, that lead to it's billion dollar success, is now plagued by people that require other's to follow rules to it's use.

Subie_sleeper · 11-15-2010, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jspek

how about dont post song lyrics which mean nothing in your meaningless life?

I almost blocked my younger cousin because he ALWAYS used to post up lyrics to songs. It drove me crazy.

Another HUGE pet FB peeve of mine is ending EVERY damn post with a message of devotion & how much you love, adore, can't live without, am so lucky to have in my life.... ETC. SAPPY BS! One of my friends does this constantly. I swear, its kinda scary, SHE gets it by now & so does EVERYONE ELSE.

WOW that turned into a rant.... LOL

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jpalamar · 11-15-2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subie_sleeper

I almost blocked my younger cousin because he ALWAYS used to post up lyrics to songs. It drove me crazy.

Another HUGE pet FB peeve of mine is ending EVERY damn post with a message of devotion & how much you love, adore, can't live without, am so lucky to have in my life.... ETC. SAPPY BS! One of my friends does this constantly. I swear, its kinda scary, SHE gets it by now & so does EVERYONE ELSE.

WOW that turned into a rant.... LOL

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I've actually deleted people for that crap.

Subie_sleeper · 11-15-2010, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpalamar

I've actually deleted people for that crap.

I've thought about it. But he's friends with a couple people who are REALLY good friends, not just acquaintances. If I delete HIM it might cause the dreaded FB backlash affect. Hahaha. I've had friends delete their OWN accounts just to end the drama.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fujito · 11-15-2010, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scapegoat

i don't like your assessment for the simple reason you imply that there is a specific way in which to use facebook. While i agree that what you say irks me when i see it... facebook would not be as popular, nor made whats his face so much money, without the blatant misuse of it's originally intended use.

by that, it makes it very ironic that such a tool that was misused shortly after it's inception, that lead to it's billion dollar success, is now plagued by people that require other's to follow rules to it's use.

This is a joke, not a serious paper. Everyone in my class got that, and I thought everyone here did too.

I already wrote a serious paper about Facebook, but Facebook is only a part of the bigger issue--the social disconnect created by technology.

11-13-2010, 12:49 PM	#1
Fujito Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2008 Member #10571 My Ride: Toyota Celica iTrader: (0)	Facebook Etiquette I wrote this for my writing class. We had to write a 3 page process analysis, and not knowing what to write about I diverted my attention to Facebook to pass time. I looked at the global status page, thought some of the things people wrote were retarded, and I realized I found my topic. I admit I do or have done some of these things I wrote about, but it makes for an entertaining read if you're bored. Also, I bet this can generate some interesting conversation since we can all relate. Facebook—it marks the beginning and the end of your day; it is your online reference to the personal information of all your friends and family; it is your ultimate tool to stay connected. Beyond the multitudes of Internet coding and all the mumbo-jumbo that makes Facebook work lies something even more convoluted than all of that—the social aspect. Facebook has over 500 million users worldwide. Collectively, users spend over 700 billion minutes on Facebook every month. Between Farmville and breaking up with a girlfriend via a status update, Facebook has upset the conventional way of… well, life. This article thoroughly explains the proper way to conduct oneself while using and perusing through this gigantic online aggregation of people. Mark Zuckerberg may be a somewhat socially awkward, pretentious, genius billionaire, but that does not mean you have to be. The first step to being a civil user is to use Facebook in moderation. The fastest way to becoming a Facebook degenerate is by making yourself seem too available via constant status updates, comments, uploads, and likes. Unfortunately, most connections do not care about frivolous events such as “boreeeeed” or “watching a movie” or “taking a shower”. Not surprisingly the latter example may very well incite two hundred comments, especially if it is a girl’s status update, but be real—it is only because they are a bunch of creepers. So if you average twenty or so status updates an hour, then your friends most likely think you are crazy and have no life. This is actually ironic since you are posting exactly what you are doing in life. Still, that does not matter because the perception created is that you spend too much time on Facebook. Building upon the shower example in the last paragraph, do not be a creeper. It may seem totally logical and harmless to friend request that girl you otherwise have no way of realistic meeting in person, but be warned: you are being a creeper. You may reason that it is okay because you have 20 mutual friends. Oh, and she goes to your school and is even in your class! Well, once upon a time, before tweets and the Jonas Brothers, a man would approach the woman of interest and create sounds out of his mouth, which would be received by her ears and magically translate into meaningful communication. This ancient interaction is known as “talking”, and it works. Do not confuse Facebook with eHarmony. Befriend friends. Does anyone really have 1000 friends? 700? 500? 50? People do based on Facebook. Having 1000 friends is almost obnoxious. It begs the question of whether Facebook is simply a popularity contest where having the highest number of friends makes you a winner. Add people you personally know. Keep a journal, not a Facebook. The status box is not preloaded to say “insert completely ambiguous status that is only meaningful to me”. If no one but yourself understands your status update, then what is the point of posting it? What is even worse are cryptic messages that are obviously about someone else. These kinds of status updates only generate drama. Sensitive personal matters should be kept private out of respect to those who are involved. Posting online creates an open forum for all 500 of your friends’ opinions. Do not contradict yourself with your Facebook status. If you call out of work sick, miss a test because your fake great uncle died, or break plans with someone and lie about why, then absolutely do not post that you are having an awesome time getting drunk, or anything that contradicts your made up excuse. Even if you are not friends with your boss, teacher, or the person you ditched, chances are some of your friends know of the situation and this kind of action will only hurt your credibility. Call, don’t wall. The Facebook wall is a casual means to communicate with friends. The wall should not replace other forms of communication, especially if the news is very important or urgent. How would you feel if your best friend died and the first time you hear about it was through a wall posting on Facebook? How about if your pregnant wife just went into labor and no one called you, but someone posted it on your wall to let you know? These situations call for a more immediate and personal means of communication. Hopefully the best friend or the husband in those two scenarios find out about the news before everyone else connected on Facebook does. So if the news is important and certain people deserve to hear it before the whole world does, call, don’t wall. Do not break up over Facebook. Ending a relationship is no easy task, and it should’t be. Communicating via machines and reading text rather than talking in person or even on the phone has created a social disconnect within society. Facebook should not be a medium for divorce and break ups. The overall disconnect makes breaking up easier, but it also makes it less humane. If humans take the difficulty out of processes like breaking up then what is holding them back from doing the same with things like marriage proposals, or job interviews? Those things would certainly be easier if done through Facebook. Some things should just be done in person. So to be a better, more civil Facebook user keep these rules of virtual engagement in mind next time you log on.

11-13-2010, 01:37 PM	#4
Mz AriellEK9 Tri-State Addict Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: jersey Member #16709 My Ride: 1991 Civic EF Hatch iTrader: (0)	He didn't want the headache. __________________ My car is cammed out and rusty and I couldn't be happier :D To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 signatures.

11-13-2010, 04:08 PM	#7
Foolinaround TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: McGuire AFB Member #9448 My Ride: 2016 GTI SE w/PP/Boeing C-17 Globemaster III iTrader: (2)	You sound like a smart ass through the middle paragraph,I like it. __________________ -John C-17 Loadmaster DenOfDebauchery

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Fujito Tri-State Post Whore Join Date: Dec 2008 Member #10571 My Ride: Toyota Celica iTrader: (0)	Why did you choose to do it that way?

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11-15-2010, 12:40 PM	#16
Scapegoat TST Ruined My Life! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: stop looking at my gold Member #1208 iTrader: (1)	i don't like your assessment for the simple reason you imply that there is a specific way in which to use facebook. While i agree that what you say irks me when i see it... facebook would not be as popular, nor made whats his face so much money, without the blatant misuse of it's originally intended use. by that, it makes it very ironic that such a tool that was misused shortly after it's inception, that lead to it's billion dollar success, is now plagued by people that require other's to follow rules to it's use.