I am NOT a perfect communicator even though I am a "communication specialist." There. I said it. Cat's out of the bag... I don't always use perfect grammar, spell words correctly, or communicate effectively while using Facebook. I also over use commas! (The horror!) I may also use far too may ellipses.............................
Whew. I feel much better getting that out of the way.
I do think, however, that I do a good job with communication etiquette while using social networking sites. I DON'T think a large portion of the population does. OUCH! I threw a lot of you under the bus, didn't I?
Here is an example as to why I feel this way.
Status: Spent a great morning with my family.
Reply: Did you get my text yesterday?
Reply: Sorry I didn't call you back.
Reply: Are you coming to my party?
Reply: How's your _________(insert any health issue here)
Reply: How'd that "situation" go at work we talked about?
Reply: Are you still hungover from last night? (I wish I was kidding about this one.)
Now really. If you were standing face to face having a conversation with someone, would you follow up their declaration that they had a great morning with their family with one of those responses? NO. NO. NO. NO. NO (and if you would then you and I need to talk.) You would NOT yet so many people DO this on Facebook statuses. I really could go on and on and on but I think I've made my point.
I bet some of you are saying "So, Miss. Communication Specialist, what SHOULD we be saying then?"
So glad you asked...especially since this is the point of this blog post right?
Here are a few things I ask myself BEFORE I hit reply.
*Would I say this if I were face to face having this conversation?
*Would I walk into a room FULL of people with this person and say this LOUDLY for ALL to hear?
*Would I want someone to say this on MY status or wall?
I think people just forget that they are still having a CONVERSATION while on Facebook. It is the nature of this beast called social networking yet, I think with some education we can begin to navigate this medium more effectively.
Somebody really should make some parody videos of the above situations in REAL life, shouldn't they? I'd like to personally invite Justin Timberlake to do one...does anyone know him? Please say yes. :)
Stay tuned for more posts on Facebook etiquette. In the meantime, I'd love to hear what your tips are for using social networking sites.
