i was finally talked into getting a facebook page. now, i'm getting random friend requests from co-workers that i don't even talk to or really know. i wanted to use this for real-life friends only. but is it ignorant to deny co-workers?

No. It's not. I have a few people from my job that I know of that are on facebook... people that could possibly one day be my manager/supervisor/etc. IF they ever send me a request they will be promptly DENIED. Facebook also has a "limited profile" option as well that you can opt for when approving "friends". Haven't used it myself, though, yet. My reasoning for not adding them is different from yours though... I like to keep my work life and my home life separate. The work life does not need to know everything that I do during the home life. Nothing embarassing... But.. still... separate.

Along the same lines of office etiquette (but totally unrelated to Facebook)... I work in a team room with 5 other co-workers. We use yahoo im to talk. We were all exchanging messenger id's and I sent one of my team mates (who works within 10 ft of me) a request to add me to his messenger list. I was promptly denied. Thinking it may have been a mistake... I sent him a second request... Once again I was denied. No hurt feelings Kept it moving like.. OK... Got it. That was a few months ago. Yesterday there was a situation where he had to add me to his messenger list.. he was like.. April.. what's your IM id... Muahahahaha Of course I gave it to him... It was just a matter of time....

I joined Facebook yesterday. I figured I've resisted long enough. It's not ignorant to deny a co-worker's request, but if you deny mine when I send it, that is ignorant.

I would draw that line in a minute. No co-workers for the most part

Everytime I have to deal with co-workers after I have left the workplace...it feels like I'm back on the clock, working again. I don't even sit next to co-workers on the train. Don't want them all up in my social space too. They might start bringing that stuff up that they saw on your facebook...all casual at work.

Something is in the air about Facebook. People are drawn to it more and more. I have a feature on my cell phone for facebook...so i figured might as well get on board with it.

well, i didn't approve or deny yet. i'm rarely on it.

you know...this is a good topic...because it really comes down to thinking do i add people that i want in my business...knowing what I'm doing, looking at my pics, etc.

I can see this being at the root of plenty of squabbles between couples and friends...and even the workplace.

I have one co-worker added (and some days I'm comfortable with it - because she transferred, but other days its iffy) - too late now.

i got a VM from a friend the other day asking if we were OK b/c i don't call (i never really did) and i didn't send him a message on facebook. are people really that salty about these stupid sites? i couldn't believe it, a 40 year old man is asking me if we're 'alright' b/c i didn't write on his wall.

i don't have time to play on the computer commenting on peoples status' and poking them. wtf? i have yet to respond.

Actually, i was gonna ask you the same thing. You haven't sent me a gift on Facebook. Is something wrong?

To Delete a Friend, Or not?

I have a situation. Need yall to weigh in. Okay...so I really don't add co-workers on Facebook - its just my preference to keep those worlds separate (way more comfortable). When I first signed up, I made an exception for one co-worker (**Jill** fake name) because at the time it just seemed ok (I was on the tail end of my hiatus)...but as time goes by...I'm really uncomfortable with her asking me about my outside stuff when she happens to see me at work (its only because the work environment is really shysty...and i try to blend in with the wallpaper as much as possible).

Even though she asks me in a low tone...the point is...if you don't plan on attending any of the events, or participating in the paper, etc. why are you asking me about it -- at work?

One of our mutual co-workers, said to me, "so are you starting the paper back up?" I'm thinking, she probably knows because Jill probably told her...based on my Facebook statuses.

I'm only a lil noid about it because there was a time when someone used to be in a high position of authority around here and checking my myspace page - and then giving me conflicting assignments (based on showdates that I had posted).

SO ANYWAY...I've been thinking about deleting her as a friend and politely explaining why (*my preference to keep those worlds separate). What do you think the best way to handle this situation.

I'm trying to work on...being a little more...(gentle?) with situations like this (and people's feelings)..so that I don't burn the bridge. The old me would just delete her and blame it on a made-up technology glitch...(such a wuss of me...right?)


Q: I know that when we add friends, it shows up on the profile, what about when we delete friends? Are people going to see that too?

surprisingly they don't overlap much...mostly because my government name is a tad bit different and the artist name is the one I use on facebook.

I'm thinking of just deleting her. I figure if she is going to have a problem with it, it doesn't matter what my explaination is before or after.

If she asks me why, I'll tell her, and I'll mention that the other co-worker is asking me about the paper now.

I actually dont' try to make friends with co-workers on social networking websites. I feel like that is my leisure time and I don't want to deal with co-workers let alone work after my workday is over.

***on the flip side, you really have a good point, its public work...how can you hide from the public? How can I even control what they see or know? Is it a waste of energy?

I just know I don't want to talk about outside stuff at work.

You can add her to a group who is only able to view limited options on your profile. By doing that, you keep her on your friend's list however she's no longer able to see your status updates, profile wall comments, photos, etc.

I've just started using this for my co-workers.