TGIF: Facebook manners and you September 4, 2009
Posted by Jill (@bonnjill) in Fun stuff, TGIF.trackback
I joined Facebook a while ago and have really enjoyed reconnecting with old friends, both online and in real life. I have a lot of people who I have really cared about or were close to at one time or another, and Facebook allows me to quickly and easily reconnect with them. For example, I was able to experience President Obama’s Inauguration as well as celebrate the birthday of a friend who lives in California without actually being there through my friends’ status updates and uploaded photos.
However, there is also a downside to Facebook. You have to keep in mind who is following you when posting status updates or photos. I use Facebook purely for personal use. I do not have many friends on Facebook who are colleagues (I can count them on one hand and regularly talk to them on the phone or meet with them in real life). The reason for this is because many of my colleagues use Facebook for both personal and professional reasons, and some are connected with some of my clients. It isn’t that I lead such a wild life that it might turn them off, but I really don’t want my clients to know when I go out to dinner or reading memos about me with personal information or memories of high school. One of my friends from high school has stopped participating because she overdid it broadcasting some of her political beliefs and didn’t think about who was following her (future colleagues and coworkers).
This made me think about Facebook and Facebook etiquette. One thing that really bugs me is when people post their Twitter updates to Facebook. It’s actually pretty awkward, because Twitter and Facebook are two completely different forums – not to mention unnecessary since some people may be following you on Twitter and Facebook and don’t want to read the same thing twice. It’s no. 4 of the 10 Twitter crimes that will get you unfollowed (BTW, it’s a must-read if you are on Twitter!). Here are some other Facebook manners that you may want to consider. Watch Timmy and Alice’s bad behavior to learn the do’s and don’ts of Facebook.
Musings from an overworked translator 
I am a regular reader of your blog but I prefer to post anonymously this time. The reason for that is because a new direct client of mine recently sent me a friend request on Facebook. I really do not want my direct clients on Facebook for all the reasons you mentioned in your post but I also do not feel that I can “ignore” the request. I feel this client is definitely not following Facebook etiquette. Any advice on what I should do?
I would send them an e-mail and explain that you use Facebook only for private use. Suggest that they link up with you on LinkedIn instead. I promise they will understand and probably won’t give it a second thought!