Webupon

It’s been in the press recently and had quite a lot of coverage about it but I thought I’d share my opinions on the many different variety of social networking types there are online. Just to clear things up – I love facebook and have been trying to analyze my use of it to discover my hidden agenda, and to be honest I think I’m a mixture of a few stereo-types but through my encounters online I think I have a rough idea of categories I could place the majority of my “friends”.

The-Potential-Cheating-Spouse or already-cheating-Spouse-type

I have definitely come across a few of these since becoming a face-booker! Although a lot of “pokes” directed my way I feel have been completely innocent – I have had the “pokes” that are been a subtle hint that they want to get in your knickers. The beauty of the poke is that you can read into it how you want to. I know of a couple of people that have been poked (or done the poking) and within hours have been in bed with the recipient. Of course not all men/women use this tactic to cheat – a lot of singles find this an easy way to pull. Its an easy way for cheaters to get away with what they do best, after all its common practice to accept everyone who adds you as a friend, and think of all those ex-boyfriend/girlfriends that are linking up with your partner…………………..Not that I’m trying to cause mass paranoia……………….

The look-at-me-and-how-much-fun-I’m-having-and-how-sexy-I-am-type

Ok, I can be a little bit like this – and I’m sure most women are guilty of it in some way. These are the people that will only add photos of themselves in the best light and are constantly updating they’re profile with witty remarks such as “Sarah can”t wait for another crazy night on the tiles with the girls, hopefully no naked-ness this week!’ or “Louise is sooo looking forward to her week away Ski-ing, shoop shoop!”

These people aren’t bad people – they just want other networkers to read their profiles and think “gosh, she is having so much fun – and gee look how hot she is!” I have a few friends who insist on vetting all photos before they are posted and if there is a hair out of place will not allow you to put them on. You can normally spot these types through the professionally or near-professional photo they have as their profile picture.

The Used-to-be-a-geek-now-wants-to-be-accepted-type

Ah bless! They certainly weren’t the most popular in school – but they’ll be damned if they aren’t going to be the most popular on facebook!! I have a couple added to my friends and don’t get me wrong they weren’t bullied in school, but they did lack the social graces needed to be uber-popular and for the most part were slightly hindered in the looks department……… Anyhoo, they want everyone to know they are now accepted and popular – but you can still tell you they are because they will still send you slightly odd messages sporadically and have weird things posted on their wall.

The I’m-going-to-pretend-I-hate-it-but-secretly-am-always-on-it-type

These are normally blokes. They will sit around in the pub with the real haters of facebook and agree that its stupid and a waste of time and laugh at the people who consider it a lifeline – but inwardly they are desperate to get home and check whos messaged them or added photos that they are tagged in. The best thing to do with these types is next time they are moaning in the pub – bring up the amount of functions they have recently added – or loudly shout across the crowded bar “I didn’t think I’d see you in here – your like, always on that facebook!”

The I’m-far-too-old-for-this-but-want-to-recapture-my-youth-and-be-trendy-type

To be fair its not bad to be in this group as more and more oldies get on the interweb but we young’uns can’t help but smile when we see the over forties trying to fit in with today’s social networking culture. I suppose it’s a bit similar to seeing an oldie in a predominately young persons nightclub – you actually think it’s really cool and all your mates want to still be clubbing at that age but still, if it was either of your parents you would freak out. These people mainly want to keep in touch with their inner-teen but also focus on finding lost contacts from all those years ago.

The Just-downright-nosey-type

Yep, this is also a category I can relate to. I love the fact that I know which one of my school friends have got married, had a kid or have some other interesting fact going on that I can discuss in depth with the school mates I still see regularly. Sad but true. Its revolutionized the way in which we gossip and the quality of the content we can gossip about! Facebook has become my savior in so many ways thanks to this. Everyone’s been there, your walking through your home town and bump into someone you used to be really close to but somehow over the last few years have just drifted away from…..enter facebook……instead of that awkward conversation where you haven’t got a clue about what’s going on in their lives and the embarrassment you get when you have to say goodbye at the end of that brief meeting (because lets face it you don’t really have time to get in touch with them again, but you don’t want to say goodbye without an offer of calling to catch-up properly) You can now say “I”ll facebook you!’ Eureka. Problem solved.