Use your head on social networking sites
Writer criticizes some Facebook faux pas
Morgan Crain
Issue date: 12/7/09 Section: Opinion
Don't put your elbows on the table. Say "please" and "thank you", "ma'am" and "sir." When it comes to etiquette, there are many governing rules in life that one must learn. So why are social networking sites an exception?
It seems like a lot of people (not all people) treat their Facebook and MySpace profiles like a garbage dumpster. If you wouldn't want any one person on your friend list to see it, you probably shouldn't post it. Not to mention, potential employers often like to check out social networking sites to see what their possible employees are up to. If you wouldn't feel comfortable sitting on your future boss' front law yelling "MY FAVORITE BAND IS GREEN DAY AND I'M A BIG FAN OF MILLER LITE" then maybe it shouldn't be slapped across your profile.
There are also ways in which one should behave toward those on your friends list whom you don't really know (most of us have them). Most importantly, don't "poke" someone if you wouldn't date them. Just don't do it, it's false advertising on your behalf. You probably shouldn't tell them "Happy Birthday" just because they're cute either. It's kind of weird. There are much better ice breakers out there.
One last piece of advice. If you are in love, good for you. That's great. If you want to flash that on your status and rub it in everyone's face, okay, cool, go ahead. But when you and Romeo break up, please don't use your status as a domestic courtroom and post about how you thought you were in love but he was so awful and he broke your heart and kicked your dog and now you're going out with Robert Pattinson and you hope he feels jealous. Because chances are, when he sees that, jealousy is the last thing he's going to feel. Actually, a status like that would probably make him pretty stoked about how he drop-kicked Fido. Don't be crazy.
Social networking sites are called SOCIAL networking sites for a reason. They are very social. Anyone you have added as a friend can see them. Use your head.
It seems like a lot of people (not all people) treat their Facebook and MySpace profiles like a garbage dumpster. If you wouldn't want any one person on your friend list to see it, you probably shouldn't post it. Not to mention, potential employers often like to check out social networking sites to see what their possible employees are up to. If you wouldn't feel comfortable sitting on your future boss' front law yelling "MY FAVORITE BAND IS GREEN DAY AND I'M A BIG FAN OF MILLER LITE" then maybe it shouldn't be slapped across your profile.
There are also ways in which one should behave toward those on your friends list whom you don't really know (most of us have them). Most importantly, don't "poke" someone if you wouldn't date them. Just don't do it, it's false advertising on your behalf. You probably shouldn't tell them "Happy Birthday" just because they're cute either. It's kind of weird. There are much better ice breakers out there.
One last piece of advice. If you are in love, good for you. That's great. If you want to flash that on your status and rub it in everyone's face, okay, cool, go ahead. But when you and Romeo break up, please don't use your status as a domestic courtroom and post about how you thought you were in love but he was so awful and he broke your heart and kicked your dog and now you're going out with Robert Pattinson and you hope he feels jealous. Because chances are, when he sees that, jealousy is the last thing he's going to feel. Actually, a status like that would probably make him pretty stoked about how he drop-kicked Fido. Don't be crazy.
Social networking sites are called SOCIAL networking sites for a reason. They are very social. Anyone you have added as a friend can see them. Use your head.
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