What mother would say
Just seen on Facebook: "Never email anyone anything you wouldn't want your mother to see. Never email anything with content about a third party you wouldn't want that third party to read. What happens on the Internet stays . . . "
I will add: Never post anything anywhere you wouldn't want someone—anyone—to see or read, whether an enemy, an employer, a potential client, an old friend, a coworker. Stop posting rabid political opinions on social networking sites if someone important to you who holds opposing views might see it and think twice about you in some significant capacity. (Is it really absolutely necessary that everyone know your political views at any given moment?) Don't post a stupid party photo of yourself on LinkedIn, where employers check out your professional qualifications; as well, don't insert your favorite blog or fan site or Facebook page as your "Personal Website" on LinkedIn.
Don't engage with idiots in the idiotic, I-have-too-much-time-on-my-hands-and-spend-all-my-hours-commenting-on-blog-posts, quarreling, inane fighting comments on a blog. Don't get drunk and cuss out your family members on Facebook; even in writing, it's obvious you're plastered. As well, don't start a family or friend feud on FB—why on earth do you want everyone to see your sad, childlike, unaware, impaired baiting of perceived enemies for whom most of your list of friends care not one little bit?
An aphorism widely attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but which was more likely Samuel Butler: "Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." Force yourself to stop and wait before you hit "enter." Give it an hour, or maybe a day. How about just disciplining yourself not to send a nasty response or start an incendiary thread? Be wise. It's so rare these days.
I will add: Never post anything anywhere you wouldn't want someone—anyone—to see or read, whether an enemy, an employer, a potential client, an old friend, a coworker. Stop posting rabid political opinions on social networking sites if someone important to you who holds opposing views might see it and think twice about you in some significant capacity. (Is it really absolutely necessary that everyone know your political views at any given moment?) Don't post a stupid party photo of yourself on LinkedIn, where employers check out your professional qualifications; as well, don't insert your favorite blog or fan site or Facebook page as your "Personal Website" on LinkedIn.
Don't engage with idiots in the idiotic, I-have-too-much-time-on-my-hands-and-spend-all-my-hours-commenting-on-blog-posts, quarreling, inane fighting comments on a blog. Don't get drunk and cuss out your family members on Facebook; even in writing, it's obvious you're plastered. As well, don't start a family or friend feud on FB—why on earth do you want everyone to see your sad, childlike, unaware, impaired baiting of perceived enemies for whom most of your list of friends care not one little bit?
An aphorism widely attributed to Abraham Lincoln, but which was more likely Samuel Butler: "Tis better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt." Force yourself to stop and wait before you hit "enter." Give it an hour, or maybe a day. How about just disciplining yourself not to send a nasty response or start an incendiary thread? Be wise. It's so rare these days.
Posted by Etiquette Dog at 12/1/2011 3:40 PM 
Categories: manners, civility, language, etiquette, profanity, behavior
Tags: Facebook LinkedIn social networking
Categories: manners, civility, language, etiquette, profanity, behavior
Tags: Facebook LinkedIn social networking
Can't tell you how much I agree with your thoughts. I recently looked up a long lost friend on FB and read some of the filthy things she'd posted and realized she was no longer a person I'd care to know.
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