Association Headquarters
Home » On The Blog » Should I place my napkin on my…
Should I place my napkin on my lap before I type?
Posted on June 15, 2010 by Nina Casella
A recent dining adventure to the ChopHouse in Gibbsboro, NJ led me to consider proper table etiquette. After I finished eating, I placed my utensils on the plate in the manner which I thought indicated that I was finished. To the chagrin of Emily Post and my grandfather (Sorry, Pop) – I found out I was wrong. Later that night, I considered recounting my mistake via Facebook status and polling my friends to see who knew the correct utensil formation. While drafting my status, I began to think about etiquette on a broad scale, and also in terms of the etiquette of social networking sites.
A Google search of “social media etiquette” will introduce you to an abundance of results. People have very finite opinions of what is acceptable and not acceptable on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogging sites. For example, Tamar Weinberg derides “Using a fake name as your Facebook name. I can’t tell you how many people have added me and their last name is ‘Com’ or ‘Seo’? I’m not adding you unless you can be honest about who you are.” Social Guy recommends that Tweeps (i.e. peeps who tweet) “Don’t use automation tools. You might think it’s nice to send an automatic message every time someone follows you, but it actually makes you look lazy and unengaged.” Not only are Tamar and Social Guy astringently witty, they are both accurate. If you are dabbling in social media, then I recommend reading their tips.
Forbes.com even has an opinion regarding this topic. In the article, Are You Practicing Proper Social Networking Etiquette?, the idea of “access etiquette” is raised: “Sigal Barsade, a Wharton management professor, says the uncertainty over access etiquette is the result of fundamental changes that computer-mediated technologies have made to basic human communication.” In layman’s terms—with the advent of social networking sites, you can realistically be available whenever your Smart phone is turned on or an Internet connection is present. Even though you can be available, do you need to be? Should you be?
Inspired by Tamar, Social Guy, and Forbes.com, I have decided to dispense a handful of tips. Although I am, by no means, a social networking expert, the following are my rules of thumb:
1. Have I met this person or interacted with them in real life? If the answer is no – do not befriend them on Facebook or accept their friendship. If yes – befriend them and send them a thoughtful message.
2. As a Facebook or Twitter user, you have the right to update the world about what you’re having for lunch or what degree of happy you are that day. However, I have the right to ignore it and/or stop following you. Your updates should have more substance.
3. Personal conversations are just that – personal. Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn all afford users the options of direct messaging; use it.
4. Not all people, including myself, are immediately notified of the happenings of the social media world. They will respond when they have a free moment.
5. Lastly, as Tamar Weinberg writes, “Remember that social media communities are real relationships, real conversations, and as such, they should be treated like they are real.” Be mindful of what you post on social networking sites because the posts reflect who you are.
Comments
There are no comments. Be the first to post one!