Why do people need to show off gifts on Facebook?

[1AngelicFruitCake]

I don’t get it. Lovely seeing photos of people with Mums, messages etc. But why brag ‘I’ve been spoilt with my many presents’ then post photos of them? It just screams ‘Look at me!’ which I know Facebook is all about that but come on, it’s so needy!

YABU-people should put photos of their presents
YANBU-there’s no need to post photos of your presents

I'd think the insecure ones are the ones who are bothered by it.

This absolutely.

Social media could not give people more power to control what they see outside of ads. Hide, hide from timeline, unfollow, don't follow, only friends, only findable by number/email, delete requests, put fake name, block and so on. If people refuse to use that power to control what they see but rather be Sneery McSneerfaces, I always suspect that they secretly want to see stuff they don't like so they can bitch about it.

Spot on. There's no other explanation.

@araiwa

Why do people complain about social media users using social media for the purpose it was invented for?

Because its so damned shallow! As are the people who are soooo needy to want constant reaffirmation.

Because its so damned shallow! As are the people who are soooo needy to want constant reaffirmation.

So... can you explain why people who hold this view of social media continue to use it?

It's like me going on my FB page ranting "mumsnet is shit, so many needy, attention seekers on there, ffs.." etc. I'd be fully expected to be asked "why do you bother with it then?"

Cuparfull
Absolutely this!
In response to other questions, no I don’t have to use Facebook.
95% of the time I enjoy it or if not scroll through. But a pile of presents?

Why am I posting? This is AIBU, it’s full of pointless posts!

I see no issue at all, they feel happy and want to share this with people who are your friends on Facebook, if it upsets you remove them. I personally think that whatever a person wants to share is allowed and if that makes them happy then good for them.

Yes annoying ! A mutual friend posted that she had been very spoilt with flowers, chocolates, smellies, books etc! What's wrong with a simple bunch of flowers ?? Some people have to go completely over the top.

Smug posts are usually cringey and often highly insensitive. So many of my friends are going/have gone through ivf/bereavement/personal issues - I just don’t know how people can be so self-obsessed as to completely disregard the feelings of their supposed friends. Especially when it often makes them look like knobbers anyway.

Surely [family] WhatsApp-type chat groups are more appropriate, targeted outlets for banalities and boasting.

thats why I am not on facebook! - can't stand the gushing posts! I find it cringeworthy.

@CrankyFrankie

Smug posts are usually cringey and often highly insensitive. So many of my friends are going/have gone through ivf/bereavement/personal issues - I just don’t know how people can be so self-obsessed as to completely disregard the feelings of their supposed friends. Especially when it often makes them look like knobbers anyway.

Completely agree but you’ll get told this means you’re a bitter, jealous person!

@CrankyFrankie

Surely [family] WhatsApp-type chat groups are more appropriate, targeted outlets for banalities and boasting.

Surely though you could equally say that family WhatsApp groups are more appropriate for those who so intently dislike seeing the details of others' lives? Why are such people even using social media in the first place, is what I'm wondering.

There’s a scale though. You can love social media and get genuine enjoyment from other people’s posts at one end and at the other end you hate people’s updates and continuously moan/critique what people put up. Most people I’m assuming are somewhere on that scale. I know I enjoy most updates, I just find this particular aspect annoying. As it’s only now and again, Facebook is still enjoyable to use.

I think there’s a limit and I think putting a photo of a pile of gifts says a lot about the person doing it, although it obviously means I’m bitter and jealous 😄

Some women, who in real life I know to be strong, capable, perfectly balanced people, turn into self obsessed, needy caricatures of themselves on Facebook. To me that neediness is a sad reflection on how some people don’t feel validated unless they’ve shared every inch of their life online. That pile of presents from your devoted partner? What’s the point if no one sees it?

These posters smugly telling me how they’re such nice people, I’m happy for everyone etc that’s fine, you do you. If pointing out how it’s a shame people can’t enjoy themselves without sharing every moment makes me a terrible person then ok. If all these positive people who’ve replied on this thread were that positive and let things wash over them, why reply to me? Be happy I have a different opinion 😄

It’s what Facebook is for isn’t it?Pathetic people with no pride or self esteem having to boost themselves like children saying “look what I’ve got!” Dreadful and boring

@Isthisreallylife

It’s what Facebook is for isn’t it?Pathetic people with no pride or self esteem having to boost themselves like children saying “look what I’ve got!” Dreadful and boring

More accurately what you see is what you make of it.. Says a lot.

It gives an outlet for insecure and bitter people to rant. Usually the same who pretend they don't "do social media". On MN

Well, I am going to bow out now and go be desperatly needy whatever😂. Enjoy your sneery bitchfest. ✌️

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Well, I am going to bow out now and go be desperatly needy whatever😂. Enjoy your sneery bitchfest. ✌️

Have fun 😊

@SchrodingersImmigrant

Well, I am going to bow out now and go be desperatly needy whatever😂. Enjoy your sneery bitchfest. ✌️

Just create a WhatsApp group instead with your FB friends, OK? Because those people on your friends list - who are essentially your friends - don't want to see what you've been up to.

thecatandthevicar

What you see when you see complete boasting is....complete boasting! I’ll leave you to enjoy posts like that. I really don’t. Clearly we’ve all got too much time on our hands if we’re all posting on Mumsnet 😄

LucieStar
Lovely 😊

If I’ve made one person go ‘Do I really need to post a photo of a pile of presents from my partner on Facebook? Maybe I’m looking a bit silly, after all I wouldn’t do this with friends in real life’ then I’ve made a difference to the world and I can give myself a pat on the back 😄 It’s been tough but it’s been worth all of the hard work 🙇‍♀️

Now for my next crusade, posters who enjoy saying how lovely they are, whilst simultaneously making little digs
🤔😄

You have to be a special kind of individual to have "friends" you actually bitch about and call "Pathetic people with no pride or self esteem".

@thecatandthevicar

You have to be a special kind of individual to have "friends" you actually bitch about and call "Pathetic people with no pride or self esteem".

Ohhh yes. You do.

@thecatandthevicar

You have to be a special kind of individual to have "friends" you actually bitch about and call "Pathetic people with no pride or self esteem".

I would take the compliment but I didn’t say that unfortunately 😊

I'm reasonably certain that for some, their friends are in far-flung places (God knows, mine are), and Facebook is where they keep up and share. They aren't thinking, "OH MY! I MUST SHOW THIS OFF!" They are thinking, "I'm so excited, I want to share this with my friends." I have several "groups" in my friends list. One is family, one is CLOSE, PERSONAL friends. I save those posts for those groups. Frankly, I assume that no one else is overly interested.