Facebook Etiquette..Is there such a thing?

Seemingly everyone in today’s society has a Facebook account, and despite its widespread use there is no User’s Manual. Without specific directions there are facets of Facebook that I’m unsure of and apparently I’m not alone as I often witness some violations. There’s recipes on how to boil water, but no real rules on how to handle social media. I’m pretty certain there are more Facebook users than cooks, though I do see a number of posts about what people are making for dinner.

One question I have is, how frequently should you post a status update? Some believe that at least once an hour is acceptable while others are on more of a yearly schedule. Ironically its sometimes those with the most uninteresting life who provides the most updates, assuming everyone really cares that they are stopped at a red light. There have been exceptions, but personally I try to limit myself to one post a day. On particularly mundane days I feel pressured to make something happen that’s worthy of a status update. There’s a lot of responsibility in using the allotted space wisely as there’s nothing more humiliating than a post that doesn’t get a single reaction. Not even a ‘Like’ from the ‘friend’ we all have that ‘Likes’ every single post that’s made. It’s like walking into a crowded room and everyone turns their back to you.

There’s even some uncertainty when something really exciting happens in my life, as I’m unsure when the best time is to post it is. I don’t want the news of me finishing a season of ‘Downton Abbey’ to go unseen, but posted whenever the most people are online. Is prime time for Facebook the same as it is for television? Posts made early in the morning, or before 10 a.m., seem wasted because the viewing audience is going to be down. Plus, if something really status worthy happens later in the day, I’ll have to break protocol and post twice.

Another confliction I have with Facebook is how much merit should be put into the dispensing of ‘Like’s?’ Should ‘Like’ really resemble a stamp of approval or just a customary habit? When someone makes a comments on a post of mine that makes me laugh or is especially thoughtful or something I ‘Like’ it, but then I feel the need to ‘Like’ all the other comments. I’m an equal opportunity Liker, but that lessens the value of the ‘Like’ I really mean. Nobody wants to be the commenter who doesn’t get a ‘Like’ when everyone else does. Trust me, I’ve been that person and it doesn’t feel good.

The ‘Like’ system is complicated on so many levels, as another issue is the where’s the boundary on who to ‘Like’? The term ‘Friend’ on Facebook is used very loosely. Honestly, we all have ‘Friend’s’ who we wouldn’t even consider asking for help in our greatest time of need, mainly because we wouldn’t be able to even think of their name. Rather than friends they are more of acquaintances, or people you really don’t even like but don’t have the heart to de-friend them.
Is it acceptable to ‘Like’ one of their posts, or even comment, if they like get married, have a baby or something (not particularly in that order)? Or if they ‘Like’ your post, do you then have to ‘Like’ one of theirs? Friendships need to be of  equal balance.

That’s only a small sample size of the complexities of Facebook that a User’s Guide would really be useful for (Hmmmm I just got a book idea). Of course, just like in society, the rules don’t matter anyway. It’s a free for all. Nobody really cares what you do, except for sending out requests to play games.