Facebook etiquette: What (not) to do

However useful and convenient social networking can be, there is always that super annoying person on Facebook. Here are four general tips to ensure that you won’t be the unfortunate individual who exhibits cringe-worthy behavior online.

Facebook is NOT Twitter

Or your diary for that matter. Please stop posting nine status updates a day. We all just need to face the fact that no one cares if you’re taking a shower, no one cares if you love your boyfriend and we definitely don’t care that you’re “now in the kitchen” either. It’s cool that you moved locations and everything, but for once let’s try not to share as much.

If you still feel the overwhelming impulse to constantly update a world that is mostly indifferent or annoyed by your existence, try creating a Twitter account. Just remember to post status updates on Facebook in moderation, and everyone will appreciate it.

It’s cool that you have a Mac and everything…

But can we cut it out with the Photobooth albums? It gets a little excessive, especially when you post seven of these albums in a row, each with over a hundred pictures. You’re not hip and artsy, you just come off as really bored or really conceited. Simply enough, some Photobooth photos are totally fine, but don’t get too crazy. You don’t want to be known as the person who uploads ten albums of you hugging your dog.

Quizzes/Ninjas/Lover of the Day

This one is easy. Don’t do it. Ever. Do not even think about installing these annoying applications or taking these quizzes about your daily fortune cookie message or horoscope that simply clog up everyone’s News Feeds with pointless, inane information. And there’s always considerable griping when people get constant notifications asking them if they want to play “Ninjas” or “Zombies.” You shouldn’t be playing these games in the first place, and if you are, you should be either embarrassed or under the age of 10.

The “lol” and “haha”

People should really strive to not overkill the function of these two words. It is not necessary to put “lol” or “haha” after every single sentence you type. Unless something is legitimately humorous, be warned that you sound like an idiot. Nothing’s funny, so why are you laughing?

Sometimes a “haha” can be thrown in at a non-funny moment to ease tension if you’re saying something mildly harsh to someone. That’s completely understandable. But if you’re saying things like “Hey what’s up lol” you need to start omitting these words from your online speech.