Time to face facts: Facebook is the social networking site now. I recently realized this after noticing that I hadn’t logged in to my MySpace account in almost a year. Yet, I’m on Facebook, well, um, all the damn time (hey, I work on my computer, I can’t help it if it’s convenient. Don’t judge me).
What I’ve also come to notice is that this handy and ever-evolving webtool is quite different from what it used to be. Back in the day, it was exclusively for college students. Then they allowed high schoolers. And then select businesses and other groups were granted membership. Now, Facebook is not only accessible to everyone, but the ways to make your presence known and to interact with others are becoming more numerous every day.
With the marvelous convenience of this site also comes an inherent responsibility to not make yourself look like an a**hole. Below you’ll find a handy little list of ways to make sure you’re navigating the oft-treacherous Facebook waters with grace and ease:
1) “Facebook” and “Friend” are now verbs
Seriously, these are now not just nouns, they are actions you actually do to people.
2) Know what communications are private
Someone’s Wall? Not private. Everyone will see what you post there. Actual messages? Private. Status updates? Super public. Real-time public…so beware.
3) Drunk Facebook-ing is the new black
Well, kind of. It would be if black was some horrible, dangerous, potentially humiliating thing that for some reason people can’t stop doing but really, really need to stop doing. Telling your ex, on his Wall, at 3AM, after 4 martinis, exactly what you think of his new girlfriend is just asking for a mega serving of regret with your morning hangover.
4) Your boss is probably on Facebook
It’s not like I’m advocating censoring yourself or anything but…okay, maybe I am. Just a little. Not in life, just on Facebook. I’m of the belief that regardless of what your chosen career path is, you should still be free to engage in whatever kind of personal life you choose. That said, don’t be an idiot. Facebook is just as much about professional networking these days as it is about social communication.
Those half-naked drunk pictures of you from last weekend? Pass them in private emails between friends (if you’re so bold as to trust the security of your email) or stash them in an at-home photo album but keep them away from a potential employer’s eyes.
5) Know the protocol of friending your friends’ friends
Sigh. I’m already tired of the word “friend”. Thanks, Facebook. Anyway, one of the fabulous little things about this website is your ability to peruse people your friends know, see things about them, and maybe strike up a Face-ship of your own with them. Great idea, just be careful. I hate it when a complete stranger friends me or messages me out of the blue. If you want to get in touch with someone, have the mutual friend act as a little bridge. It cuts down on the creepy factor big time.
6) Friends with exes
Staying Facebook friends with an ex-lover is a simple yes triumphant act of rising above, taking the high road, being a bigger person and all of those delightful clichés we like to turn to post-relationship. This however only applies when you are actually capable of seeing posts about his/her new relationships without succumbing to the aforementioned temptations of angry/drunk Facebook-ing.
I say go for it, but beware: it’s hard to pretend they dropped off the face of the earth when you guys broke up if you logon and see pictures of him and Stupid McNewGirl on vacation together.
7) Oh and also, don’t friend her
“Her” being your ex’s new girl. If you guys aren’t really friends, keep your online relationship, well, non-existent. Absolutely nothing good will come from friending her.
8) Facebook does not equal confessional
This is not a group therapy session, babies. A little bit of cyber-venting is okay. You’re human and your friends are all there anyway so the occasional, “Oh man, I can’t believe I got another parking ticket!” is just fine.
What’s not fine, however, is the public broadcasting of the intimate details of your life or relationship. Also, there’s no need to tell that guy from 7th grade that you always had the hots for him. Save that mess for two-drinks-in at the reunion.
Maryxiao
24 / Female
Comments: 7
Posted on September 13, 2011, 8:58 pm
I am a young and beautiful woman from us. I just think aol is a good place to meet friends. I just wonder if I can meet a rich daddy here, because I am at the beginning of my career and I need someone's support..I uploaded my hot photos on SugarBabyMeet.Com under the name babylove2000 , maybe you want to check out my photos firstly!
