What Really Grinds My Gears – Facebook Friend Requests

So I’m sitting here at a conference in the Westin Hotel, I log into Facebook and see that I have three new friend requests. I think to myself, “woo hoo! Maybe it’s someone I’ve lost touch with!”

So I click on the little link and go to see who’s been looking for me. Out of the three people that requested to add me as a friend, I know one person. The other two? I may know OF that person, but I don’t KNOW that person.

Facebook, my friends, is not a popularity contest. Adding everyone in the world doesn’t make you more popular, nor does it create any real meaningful friendships.

So what are my criteria for adding you as a Facebook friend?

• I must have met you in person at least once and have had some meaningful dialogue with you.
• I will occasionally add you if you’re a friend of a friend… even then I’m still pretty picky.

I know that in the grand scheme of things, Facebook “friends” don’t really matter. But I use Facebook to stay in touch with people I know and to keep them posted on my life. If you don’t know me personally, then there’s really no benefit to being my friend on Facebook.

Who will I de-friend on Facebook? I have had to remove a couple people from my Facebook account, here’s my main reasons:

• If you cuss entirely too much in your status. Seriously, there are various different words to express your frustration.
• If you spam me with a bunch of garbage.

Okay, well, there you go. Now you know what grinds my gears today.