Facebook Etiquette 101.....

FACEBOOK ETIQUETTE 101: Well, now that we're all being sent all kinds of Facebook holiday postings, comments, announcements, and invitations, it might be a good time to remember some basic courtesies and niceties, even here on the internet. We don't have to worry anymore about beautiful penmanship and lovely stationery, so it's only fair that perhaps we spend our "mental calories" on keeping other aspects of our communicating with our "friends" as gracious as possible. After all, manners are just another way of letting other folks in the community of life know that we acknowledge, respect, and value them and their contribution to our lives. Apropos of all that, here are some FB tips... When you read someone's post as you're scrolling through your newsfeed, if you've taken the time to READ it, take the time to "LIKE" it. The "like" option doesn't necessarily mean that you agree with the person on their political statement (if that's what they've posted!), but it does mean that you've read it and that you're acknowledging that you've done so. If you choose to agree or even disagree, you may "comment" on it, which is even more interactive, but if you don't, at least have the courtesy to let the original poster know that you visited his or her thought. Certainly, if the post has nothing to agree or disagree with (e.g., a photo of a puppy playing in the snow with a name and birthdate underneath it), you can easily "like" it with no compromising of your political standards or affiliations! And if you post something of your OWN, (a promotion at the perfume counter, a successful naked fondue party, a round of applause about your new coloring book, your dog had kittens!!) be sure to acknowledge each and every single comment that comes in wishing you well and congratulating you. Imagine standing on a chair in the corner of a large cocktail party and announcing to the hundreds of guests at the top of your lungs the events of your day, and then when folks actually stop their own conversations, look your way, and say nice things to you, you just keep yelling your stuff out over their heads. We actually have some noted Facebook folks who do that all the time here....they depend on the attention of hundreds of people they call "friends" for gratification, but never acknowledge their acknowledgement. I'd give their initials, but many of you would palm-slap your foreheads and say, "OF COURSE!".... If you are spending the calories posting photos and news about your life on this public "bulletin board" in the "town square" of the Internet Age, you can observe some of the niceties of the 19th century. A tip-of-the-hat to your neighbor who just passed you in that new FB group about "The Propagation of Oblong Vegetables And Their Danger To Unattended Children", the "The Woes Of Under-Appreciated Film Actresses Whose Careers Spanned The Years 1918 to 1923", or "Words That Rhyme With Purple".... when they comment on your brilliant bon mot, give 'em a tip-of-the-hat back.... "like" is "thank you", it's "I see you", it's "I appreciate you as I would like to be appreciated" in FB chatter. It's time for people to get down off the chair in the corner and join the conversation as partners in an adventure...Sybil Sez...