What are the rules for polite, non-creepy sleuthing? (Hint: Don't do it.) Plus, how much political stuff you're allowed to blast on Facebook and Twitter.
If I have ONE piece of information about someone, like an email or a phone number or something, what are the SLEUTHING rules? I went on a date with someone and we have each other’s numbers, but since I know her full name, is it cool to just start following her on Twitter, for example?
Oh my god. Eyes widen. One eye blinks, then the other eye blinks. Eyes open again, then close. You see that the letters “WTF” are written on each eyelid. Eyes pop out of head, run up the forehead and onto the top of head, and jump off. Eyes land in sink full of water and swim in circles, because there is nowhere else to go, really.
I am not sure why but this has NEVER occurred to me before. I guess it’s weird to be afraid of someone you have a crush on/went on a date with/hooked up with following you on Twitter when you generally WANT people to follow you on Twitter, but it’s just so scary! I’m fine with complete and total strangers knowing what I think about on an hourly basis, but people I KNOW??
*Puts eyeballs back in and gives you a look like, “Giiiirl, are you serious?”* OK, I think this is the rationale: dating a follower/someone you follow AFTER following him/her for some time is the Twitter equivalent of falling in love with a friend. (Sort of. It’s Twitter, everyone’s in love with everyone on Twitter. Or I am, anyway? Ah.) Reverse that order, and you could get into TMI territory pretty quickly. For strangers with whom you may want to make out, information is best released in small segments in person, whenever possible.
Here is the rule: don’t add a date/hook-up on Facebook, follow him/her on Twitter, or use any methods of communication you were not expressly given until you’re both agreed that you are “dating.” That means there has to have been a discussion, and both of you think there is at least somewhat of a future for you two. Otherwise, you’re just setting yourself up for too much misinterpretation, a really uncomfortable click on “Unfollow,” and one more useless goddamn Facebook friend.
How much consideration should I have for constantly blasting political stuff from my Facebook/Twitter? And what about commenting on other people’s stuff?
What is Facebook if not a virtual soapbox? All you do on it is use your platform to call everyone’s attention to your pictures, your dumb status updates, your thoughts about an article on Mitt Romney, and, if you are horrible, the ever-evolving stages of your relationships. (“Wendy Andrews: is so fed up with players”… 23 minutes later … “Wendy Andrews: just hangin with my man. ;)” … a day later … “Wendy Andrews: [vengeful yet triumphant Katy Perry lyrics].”) There is nothing (much) else to do BESIDES talk about whatever you want to talk about. You’re allowed to blast political news and opinions from your own Facebook however much you want.
Just remember, though, that you are probably making at least a few friends unsubscribe from you, and you might be broadcasting into an empty room. Related: does Facebook really understand what is and is not “Only Important”? I don’t know that it does.
As far as commenting on other people’s posts goes, you’re playing one of the least fun games there is. Firstly, you’re never going to stop getting notifications. Secondly, if you’re arguing with the poster, you’re going to just keep getting madder and putting your face closer to the screen and sooner or later your laptop will close on your head and swallow you into the internet. (RIP Nathan! Just kidding. He is dead though. Haha, no.) Thirdly, if you’re agreeing with the poster, see “firstly.” Especially with friends who post tons of polarizing political stuff, it’s often more productive for you to unsubscribe than to get involved. Wait a second … everybody unsubscribe from everybody. All any of us really want is a newsfeed full of ourselves, anyway. Be honest.
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