Are you an annoying Facebooker?
It is not exactly riveting headline news, but today's snarky list about people who are annoying on Facebook did bring a little levity to the front page of CNN.com.
Anyone who uses Facebook will probably agree that one or two of their "friends" fall into one of the categories that CNN's Brandon Griggs wrote about. Could be that it's not even one of our Facebook pals who claims the title of most annoying -- we are probably all at fault for overdoing it on the popular social networking site.
Here is the list from CNN.com of the 12 of the most annoying types of Facebook users:
The Let-Me-Tell-You-Every-Detail-of-My-Day Bore. "I'm waking up." "I had Wheaties for breakfast." "I'm bored at work." "I'm stuck in traffic." You're kidding! How fascinating! No moment is too mundane for some people to broadcast unsolicited to the world. Just because you have 432 Facebook friends doesn't mean we all want to know when you're waiting for the bus.
The Self-Promoter. OK, so we've probably all posted at least once about some achievement. And sure, maybe your friends really do want to read the fascinating article you wrote about beet farming. But when almost EVERY update is a link to your blog, your poetry reading, your 10k results or your art show, you sound like a bragger or a self-centered careerist.
The Friend-Padder. The average Facebook user has 120 friends on the site. Schmoozers and social butterflies -- you know, the ones who make lifelong pals on the subway -- might reasonably have 300 or 400. But 1,000 "friends?" Unless you're George Clooney or just won the lottery, no one has that many. That's just showing off.
The Town Crier. "Michael Jackson is dead!!!" You heard it from me first! Me, and the 213,000 other people who all saw it on TMZ. These Matt Drudge wannabes are the reason many of us learn of breaking news not from TV or news sites but from online social networks. In their rush to trumpet the news, these people also spread rumors, half-truths and innuendo. No, Jeff Goldblum did not plunge to his death from a New Zealand cliff.
The TMIer. "Brad is heading to Walgreens to buy something for these pesky hemorrhoids." Boundaries of privacy and decorum don't seem to exist for these too-much-information updaters, who unabashedly offer up details about their sex lives, marital troubles and bodily functions. Thanks for sharing.
The Bad Grammarian. "So sad about Fara Fauset but Im so gladd its friday yippe". Yes, I know the punctuation rules are different in the digital world. And, no, no one likes a spelling-Nazi schoolmarm. But you sound like a moron.
The Sympathy-Baiter. "Barbara is feeling sad today." "Man, am I glad that's over." "Jim could really use some good news about now." Like anglers hunting for fish, these sad sacks cast out their hooks -- baited with vague tales of woe -- in the hopes of landing concerned responses. Genuine bad news is one thing, but these manipulative posts are just pleas for attention.
The Lurker. The Peeping Toms of Facebook, these voyeurs are too cautious, or maybe too lazy, to update their status or write on your wall. But once in a while, you'll be talking to them and they'll mention something you posted, so you know they're on your page, hiding in the shadows. It's just a little creepy.
The Crank. These curmudgeons, like the trolls who spew hate in blog comments, never met something they couldn't complain about. "Carl isn't really that impressed with idiots who don't realize how idiotic they are." [Actual status update.] Keep spreading the love.
The Paparazzo. Ever visit your Facebook page and discover that someone's posted a photo of you from last weekend's party -- a photo you didn't authorize and haven't even seen? You'd really rather not have to explain to your mom why you were leering like a drunken hyena and French-kissing a bottle of Jagermeister.
The Maddening Obscurist. "If not now then when?" "You'll see..." "Grist for the mill." "John is, small world." "Dave thought he was immune, but no. No, he is not." [Actual status updates, all.] Sorry, but you're not being mysterious -- just nonsensical.
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The Chronic Inviter. "Support my cause. Sign my petition. Play Mafia Wars with me. Which 'Star Trek' character are you? Here are the 'Top 5 cars I have personally owned.' Here are '25 Things About Me.' Here's a drink. What drink are you? We're related! I took the 'What President Are You?' quiz and found out I'm Millard Fillmore! What president are you?"
Not sure what kind of Facebooker you are? Take the quiz: What Kind of Facebooker are You?
image: 3.bp.blogspot.com
list: CNN.com
Comments
I am totally the guy who makes lifelong friends on the subway, and currently have 303 "friends" quite an accurate assessment!
I am over these types of stories because people always talk about how annoying people on Facebook and Twitter are, yet constantly check their updates, are getting updates on their phone, etc. It's the natural of these social networks to be like that!
What's also interesting is that a non-annoying sharer is usually considered someone who posts links, shares information, interacts with the community, etc. but Twitter recently did a mass "spam" clean up where they suspended everyone who shared more links than comments like "I'm eating Wheaties." Are we sending mixed messages?
Lydia -- I agree it's a mixed message. I love Twitter and Facebook and use it they way I want---rules or no rules. I like reading people's updates for the most part and enjoy the people I connect with. I'd say if people don't like what they are seeing, they have the wrong friends. :)
I agree with all of these, but you have to remember the SUPER religious who post 3 or 4 bible versus a day. Yup.
Thank, I am so sick of the threats of expulsion from a here after if I don't repost my devotion to 'The Lord', 'Saviour', 'Jesus', etc. And the constant prayer requests for the neighbors dog who has an injured toe. And finally, relating ever single item in the news to 'The Second Coming', End of Days', etc.
I disagree with the one about wanting to many friends, I currently have about 1,030 friends whom I happen to actually know through friends of a friend, or have requested me, I am not famous or anything, just very well liked and easy and fun to get along with, also remember, there are many FB ers with large families who are also on.
OMG how about the famous quotes or wise sayings on FB. Too many people are doing that. They just want others to think they are wise as well as deep...just stop...
Oh, yes, "Status Shuffle' posts. Once a day, ok, maybe even twice, but 10 in a row is just irritating.
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