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AIBU?

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Original poster

To ask what you people actually use Facebook for??!

123 replies

anythingwithagiraffeonit · 02/03/2011 14:10

Recently I've seen threads saying how no one writes how they love DH / can't wait to see him etc on Facebook. People hate that apparently.

Then I saw one about how people hate when people announce pregnancy / write about pregnancy / post pictures of children...

A few people wrote 'can't stand people who go on and on about their lives!'

So what exactly is it okay to do??

OP posts:
DaisyDaresYOU · 02/03/2011 16:48

I set up mine to keep in touch with extended family and so they get to see my kid's.I haven't seen my aunts,cousins for a few years,so it's noce too keep in touch and also keeping in touch with old school friends from primary,juniors and Secondary school

DaisyDaresYOU · 02/03/2011 16:48

Nice not noce

DaisyDaresYOU · 02/03/2011 16:51

Oh and no one can message me or send friends request unless they're friends and friends of friends.

ivykaty44 · 02/03/2011 16:52

last week - finding out if my family in Christchurch where ok

PrincessScrumpy · 02/03/2011 17:11

I have family all over the world and so I can share pictures of dd and I put up the funny things dd does. People always write nice comments back - if they don't want to read my posts or see pics of dd, they can take me off their friend list.

DD's grandparents on both sides love it to see dd as they are not just up the road and my brother is a 91/2 hour plane ride away etc

I do find it odd when people talk about their relationship break ups though. One old friend from school (wasn't that close to her) seems to put a running commentry as to whether she's with her dc's dad or not. 2 months before new baby is born, they are apart, at the moment. That's strange!

DuelingFanjo · 02/03/2011 17:15

I use it to post pictures of my baby and other stuff but I do have strict privacy controls so not everyone can see. I DO update my status quite a lot, chat to friends almost like it's an online forum, post links to articles/events I think are interesting etc.

MittzyBittzyTeenyWeeny · 02/03/2011 17:19

Mostly to chat even more to MNetters!

A few family and friends but after some very very weird Friends invites have gone totally private!

My status updates are rare and usually completely meaningless.

Some times it is a nice way to support friends where chatting is not possible but need more than texting.

LibraPoppyGirl · 02/03/2011 17:22

I started using it when I was living in Australia, to keep in touch with friends and family back here in the UK, rellies in Canada and New Zealand too.

Now I use it to keep in touch with friends here in England (I now live in Hampshire nr Southampton but I'm from the East End in London), my rellies in Canada and New Zealand and Scotland and friends from Australia.

When you have friends and family overseas and/or in a different part of the country to you, you can't just pop out and pay them a visit. It's a great way of keeping in touch, sharing photos and funny things that have happened in your day.

There are so many different and varied things you can do on FB, that to be honest, I think there is something there for every different idea of 'how to use it'.

What I don't like is people being criticised for how they use it when it really is there fore multi-uses. Plus it's no one elses business what you put on your FB pages, they're YOUR pages Grin.

LibraPoppyGirl · 02/03/2011 17:23

Whoops Blush

fore = for

Baggypussy · 02/03/2011 17:24

WW- Brilliant! We call it Twatter in this house too! We have a rule about friends- if they can't be arsed to ever see you face to face, then they can fuck off.

Harsh but fair.

Exceptions are made for distant rellies, but that's what emails/phones are for.

superv1xen · 02/03/2011 17:26
Wink
LibraPoppyGirl · 02/03/2011 17:27

Baggypussy but emails are not as interactive as FB and with today's technology most people have FB on their phone so can see what you have written quickly. Plus sometimes, you just don't know what to write in an email.

Phoning overseas can difficult too with different time zones.

MoonGirl1981 · 02/03/2011 17:30

I use it to keep up with people. Got back in touch with several people via facebook too.

Most recently (and amusingly) I used it to find the name, address and phone number of my ex husband's job as he'd failed to inforn the CSA he was starting work. His page has no security, what a prat!

Meglet · 02/03/2011 17:34

Keeping in touch with the real world as I have no social life.

Nosing at photos.

I generally witter on about my pesky children. Bit stuck what I can put on there tbh as I have xp's dad on there and some of my family who are strict catholics. I have to keep myself in check a bit so I don't shock / piss off anyone.

iliketosleep · 02/03/2011 17:57

I use it to play frontierville Grin

rabbit68 · 02/03/2011 17:59

ooh Wait, "harsh but true" ?...according to? You presumably.

I'm with Tatty, it's great way to keep up to date with far flung friends; I've been able to catch up with friends from years back..and then arrange to meet up and renew friendships.

Oh and I do have a life Wait, fb is a useful tool for passing on information, organising events and for publicity. We use it in the village ; people that might not read a notice on the side of the road pick up info on fb - it really works and it's been great for fundraising publicity too.

But I agree, I don't not need to hear what people have had for lunch and other tedious trivia. I can edit all that out without too much dificulty.

mrswishywashy · 02/03/2011 18:44

I use it to keep up with my friends and family world wide at the moment USA, NZ, OZ, Russia, Bahrain and Egypt.

It was how I found out my friend in Eygypt was safe when it was all kicking off last month.

It is also how I keep up with people I know who have been affected by the CHCH earthquake. I have 50 friends/family in CHCH and it was a huge relief to see how they were without blocking up the phone lines trying to get a hold of them. Its how I found out who had lost homes and loved ones. Since the earthquake I have really valued facebook as a way to keep in touch with loved ones.

lubberlich · 02/03/2011 18:46

I briefly did the FB thing as part of the breast cancer support group I was belonged to. Hadn't banked on every twat I had ever known trying to become a "friend". Utter balls the whole thing.
I like not being on FB. It makes me feel all groovy and counterculture-ish.

ladysybil · 02/03/2011 18:47

most recently i have used it to be really really excited about the cricket with cricket mad friends accross three continents, coz no one in real life is bothered. I even had to call ds1 into the room telling him to be patriotic and watch the last ball of sundays game. :S

photos, friends. etc etc. just like real life really. for the actual meaty discussions, there is mumsnet.

madhairday · 02/03/2011 18:58

I use it for a load of community stuff, school and church, it's great for events promotion etc and getting people together.

We've moved round loads so I love it for keeping in touch with people, but it's no substitute for seeing them in RL - but often facilitates doing so.

I like it for sharing photos, videos, links, blog and reading others.

I like it for banter with friends.

I think it has actually deepened many friendships, far from it being superficial.

I agree with SOH, it is what you make it. Yes there are annoying people and annoying status updates etc, but you can always block stuff and defriend people.

I love FB Grin

Baggypussy · 02/03/2011 19:31

LPG- surely if you don't have enough in common with someone to know what to write in an email, then you don't really need/want to be updated with their lives, or them with yours immediately and constantly anyway?

redpanda13 · 02/03/2011 20:21

Keep in touch with father who works in a European university but lives in Africa in the holidays.
Half sister in Rio de Janeiro.
Brother also lives abroad.
Cousin travelling the world again keeps us jealous with his status updates.
Family in Australia.
Tending My Vinyard Wine

Yes I could email them but its not as good as the chat on FB. It feels more spontaneous you can talk about trivial guff. I feel I need something important to say before I send off an email.

LibraPoppyGirl · 02/03/2011 20:52

Bagpussy it's not that so much as that I prefer the 'chattiness' of FB. I miss my friends and rellies overseas and for me this more suited to my personality. Plus if I'm on the go then it's quick and easy Smile

FlatulantTrousers · 02/03/2011 20:58

I have 3 Facebook accounts to annoy people with. All anyone who has a "real" account ever does is post a million pictures of themselves either pouting, drunk, or looking moody...or a combination of them all.

Some things that make me laugh the hardest are:

when someone will post several pictures that are nearly identical.

When they post pictures and label them as "an updated picture of me" or claim their current profile pic is not up to date etc...yeah you change sooooo much in a couple of months(!)

Someone (usually females) will post a picture of themselves in full makeup, hair obviously done, in some sort of pose...and will then put a comment like "omg I look so ugly" or "me looking rough" etc of which the translation would be "compliments NOW!". I love these as I can always leave a lovely "wow, yeah you're right you're looking a bit worse-for-wear, were you ill?" bahahahahaha

NorthernGobshite · 02/03/2011 21:14

For chatting to friends, for looking at photos from friends, catching up with old school mates....dh works a lot of nights so its nice way to engage socially without having to get babysitter etc. I see friends in RL too and think fb can be useful and fun part of 'social' life.