8 replies to this topic

[phileasmann]

Knowing that our lot is constantly on Facebook & MySpace, I have a question for AM users that use social networks:

What's your etiquette into "friends"? What constitutes an accept or a decline? What do you consider the borderline for acquaintances?

And would you, say, add those obscure people that you don't really know, i.e. ppl you've met over the internet?

My "borderline" is when I know the person well enough (in person) to know that this guy/chick won't be stalking me.

For those who partake in the poll above will have the chance to be in a running for a lovely prize: 1 single jellybean (red, blue or yellow) will be air shipped to an Australian location of your choice. For Armidale addresses, add $13.50 for insurance

[aamslfc]

Speaking generally, I think the definition of 'friend' has broadened in recent times to basically include anyone and everyone you know or have ever spoken to. The term 'acquaintance' would probably be the better, more traditional description of these relationships.

I'm fairly strict with my Facebook, so my absolute minimum is 3 personal meetings (unless you're family, a school mate or a uni friend). When it comes to non-local people who aren't family, I have to know them well enough to converse and be confident with them.

Personally, I don't particularly like it when people add someone as a 'friend' after just one meeting (for example at a party, where 15 secs conversation between strangers suddenly becomes an online 'friendship'). Even worse is when a 'friend' of your 'friend' tries to add you for the sake of it.

That being said, I have several people as 'friends' that I have never personally met, but with whom I'm comfortable with and who I know aren't crazed serial killers. Needless to say, they only come from online communities where we share common interests (such as AM/MS, Railpage, etc.).

Edited by aamslfc, 26 February 2009 - 08:47 PM.

[cartman]

aamslfc, on Feb 26 2009, 8:44pm, said:

Even worse is when a 'friend' of your 'friend' tries to add you for the sake of it.

I had someone do that to me. Needless to say I didn't accept them.

They were a friend of a friend and my friend had suggested that I should meet this girl because she was single and a lovely person, blah.. blah... Next thing I know she was sending me a friend request which pretty much said 'nutbag' to me straight away.

[Spiral Media]

anyone who wants to get to know you cartman is a 'nutbag' ... ahaha.

[cartman]

Spiral Media, on Feb 26 2009, 9:28pm, said:

anyone who wants to get to know you cartman is a 'nutbag' ... ahaha.

You may be right there....

[Vacuum Robot]

cartman, on Feb 26 2009, 9:07pm, said:

Next thing I know she was sending me a friend request which pretty much said 'nutbag' to me straight away.

I love this part.. "which pretty much said 'nutbag' to me straight away" LOL

[TimC]

aamslfc, on Feb 26 2009, 8:44pm, said:

That being said, I have several people as 'friends' that I have never personally met, but with whom I'm comfortable with and who I know aren't crazed serial killers. Needless to say, they only come from online communities where we share common interests (such as AM/MS, Railpage, etc.).

good to see you added that bit in otherwise i was going to question why you are facebook friends with me.

[Kevin]

I'm actually pretty picky about who I will add on to Facebook. More so these days because I use Facebook as a means of letting my extended family, work colleagues and friends know what's happening over here. I used to have a whole heap of former school friends on there - some of whom I had not spoken to since high school (almost 10 years ago) - and I found that I didn't want to post updates to Facebook because I didn't want them all knowing everything.

In the end I went through my friends list and deleted everyone who I haven't spoken to for a long time and those who I just did not want on there.

I use Facebook a lot more now as a result. I like it now because I can keep my family and actual friends updated on what's happening here which means I don't have to call them all separately to tell them about things

I'm not a social person normally anyway so I'm not someone who will just accept a friend request (or add someone) just because I may know them in some way. I don't even show up in Facebook searches because I like to be the one who decides who can and can not see my profile. Their privacy options are very good

[cartman]

Kevin, on Jun 14 2009, 10:30pm, said:

I'm not a social person normally anyway

NO, REALLY???