The implementation of social media has caused a vast majority of consumers to lose their social best judgment.
I am talking to you, Mr. Friend Who “Likes” When A Friend Gets Out Of A Relationship.
Perhaps in the real world, you might privately tell Steve, your old college roommate who just broke up with his girlfriend of 3 years, that you like that he broke up with his girlfriend. Maybe she was horrible, maybe it was only a matter of time, maybe she cheated on him with a 45 year-old with a boat, maybe she broke up with him and you were just trying to help with the coping process. Whatever the reason, a comment such as this is only appropriate when with a close group of friends, or between two confidants.
I doubt, however, that you would ever publicly announce that you like Steve’s recent marital change face-to-face with all of his friends, frenemies, colleagues, parents, and the very-recent-ex-girlfriend all in one place. Even if everyone is glad that Steve finally broke up with the loser/really annoying drunk girl/cheater/whatever, you certainly shouldn’t publically judge your friends in an unrestricted, open conversation. People would think of you as a jerk, as they rightfully should.
Facebook is that very forum. The single forum where all of Steve's social connections can see his life updates in one place. All of his social connections. All of them.
This is why the whole topic of virtual “liking” completely perplexes me when it comes to serious social situations.
Yes, I am the first to like someone’s status if I find it to be a) funny, b) an achievement or c) especially “likeable” in one way or another, but I only use the “like” button during light hearted situations. Break ups is not one of them.
Tell me, Mr. Friend Who “Likes” When A Friend Gets Out Of A Relationship, why it is that you would most likely never publically “like” this situation face-to-face with all the people who may encounter it on facebook, but have no problem doing so when it is from the comfort of your computer screen?
The very act of “liking” the situation only makes a mockery of their entire relationship [which was most likely fairly serious, since it hit Facebook to begin with], showing that it is now nothing but a joke to you. I am so glad you were able to recover from Steve’s break-up so fast. Let’s also hope that Steve has recovered faster than you, as this would be counterproductive for your relationship if he is still emotionally wounded.
Similarly, your “liking” will certainly hurt feelings in the most passive aggressive way possible, and you do not have the right to publically humiliate the very-recent ex-girlfriend, even if she was unkind, mean, or otherwise unappealing. Your job, as Steve’s friend, is to help Steve recover, not hinder the recovery of the ex. That isn’t going to fix anything.
Perhaps you should just focus on keeping Steve’s personal life off facebook, and take him for a drink, where you can privately tell him that he is better off without the cheating/backstabbing/all around not fun ex-girlfriend. By doing this, you are still getting your point across, but still keeping your integrity intact.
Just some food for thought…
No comments:
Post a Comment