To be sick to death of Facebook boasting

[nomedoit]

First off, if I could get off FB I would! But I'm an expat and all the social arrangements are now made on FB.

I have two friends, both back in Britain, both women and all they bloody do is boast on FB.

'Playing with my iPad...'
'Back from my flying lesson...'
'Day 12 of my Seychelles holiday...'

The Seychelles holiday was the worst! Five posts daily about the personal butler, massages, private beach.

If I was a nice person I would be pleased for their good fortune. And yes, some of this is my stuff - DH and are are both self-employed and the recession and and continues to be really tough. So yes, I am envious in part.

But I also feel when so many people are struggling that it's a bit bloody insensitive

Sorry SOH :( I shall retreat and return to my roots forthwith! Shame on me

I love reading on FB about other people's exploits. I have friends on there from a wide variety of backgrounds - some all yachts and horses, many not! They just post about what's normal to them and it's interesting.

Occasionally there's someone who posts loads and loads and it's a bit irritating, so I just mentally skip over it.

'First off, if I could get off FB I would!'

Then do.

YABU.

I also like reading FB statuses. Maybe I am just nosey? i don't tend to get envious like that though.

If I was on an exotic island being served champagne by a butler I would put it on facebook.

I have posted on holiday as it s as quick as a text on a phone. I suspect most people post statuses on their phone. I also work long hours in the evening from my computer so FB is often running in the background. I can't believe that people chatting to strangers on the Internet are being sniffy about FB.

There also seems to be a growing field of thought on here that if you have a nice life you should be ashamed. I have had sadness in my life but now it is actually quite fabulous. I have a lovely home, a husband I adore and a fulfilling family and working llife. My daughter is beautiful and clever. We do twee things and have fab holidays. I have worked hard to achieve much of that and admit I have also been lucky. Surely it is better that I appreciate what I have and find joy and excitement in my good fortune rather than being blasé about it.

I love reading facebook updates.

I like fb updates ..some of the loved up ones make me cringe , but I like to read a good status slanging match

Because of Fb I now know more aout my extended family, cousins and the like, than ever before.

My nana however dislikes FB having never been on it. She always tries to update us on her news only to realise everyon knows the news via FB already. I have started to pretend I don't know!

I've posted a few seriously boasty updates on Facebook, only because I am so thrilled to be doing whatever it is and because I'm not jaded about nice things.

"Surely it is better that I appreciate what I have and find joy and excitement in my good fortune rather than being blasé about it."

Durga, I'm bored with this thread (and I started it) but I had to reply to you. I could not agree more! I too have had some very hard times in my life and I really do appreciate my life and nice things and I'm not ashamed of any of them. But, for me this FB thing is really a question of manners. Some of what's posted is just so crass. You can appreciate what you have but it's not necessary to flaunt it. I think precisely because there are times in my life when I've had next to nothing that I would feel awkward to go on and on about material things.

I guess what I am really complaining about is the conspicuous part of conspicuous consumption. I blame that Posh Spice myself...

you sound like you have your feet on the ground and can see what is happening for what it is.

I/we too are self-employed and internally are beginning to feel a bit cross and envious of our pals that are rolling around in luxury and a: not appreciating just how bloody lucky they are and b: keeping tactfully shtum.

Its hard. I think it must be my own insecurity or green-eyed monster but sometimes when I am down or not feeling financially secure it hurts.

We moved away from our nearest and dearest pals last year and although that too was/is hard for we bought our babies up together etc etc, it has made it easier for us to keep a grip on reality. My rich pals lives are not the norm.

Somewhere I read once that you should live in an area that your just 'struggling to stay put' as this on a daily basis eats into your sub-concious and confidence. We have done just that and are relishing in feeling normal!

Hide thier pages!

Thanks, Moo. I could have written your post!!! I definitely think i feel this way more now because I moved to an area of the US where lots of people are really struggling. My area of the US has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country and the highest unemployment rate - over 10% Lots of people are using food pantries. MY DH, who is a builder, put an ad on Craigslist recently for some casual labour. Literally the phone didn't stop ringing. It was very humbling. I really don't think people should feel ashamed of good fortune, but as you say it is a question of tact. Maybe things aren't as bad in the UK though.

id be happy that my friends are happy.id rather read good things than whingy woo is me status updates.

Hi nomedoit

Pleasure and glad it helped. Best of luck and keep your feet on the ground - we need people like you to say just how it is!