What did we call 'relationships' before Facebook?

I have nothing to do with Facebook or anything else like Twitter or what have you ...

I look at three websites daily. The BBC, my email, and this Forum. 

What is strange is that at one time, I was getting spam emails letting me know that I had been “unfriended” on Facebook, which is comic as I never had a Facebook friend in the first place. Of course I merely deleted them, and with a change of email service the new spam filter detects these things and sidelines them in the spam box, where I delete them immediately. Once this happens a few times from a particular sender the system seems to with-hold them altogether. A good thing. I go whole months without spam these days.

ATB from George

Lately I’ve been conducting myself in a more social media aware way. If I can’t ignore the YouTwitFace generation, then I should try to communicate appropriately.

So I have been walking up to strangers and showing them pictures of me, what I had for dinner, my dog and my car. I’ve been making a point of telling everyone I meet if I like what they are saying or if I like anything about them.

I will strike up conversations with whoever is adjacent to me and tell them what’s on my mind, what I like, who I don’t like and ask them to like me.

I seem to be gaining some traction. In under two weeks I have four followers. A solicitor, a psychiatrist and two policemen.

As a non social media person (Naim forum excepted) I found that  very funny. 

I'm with George and Graham with regard to Faceache and ****ter.

As for 'relationships', I agree with the OP.

steve

Dusty you trouble maker you....

I had to laugh though.

I have been walking up to strangers

Nice one Harry! Don't forget to tell them all your personal details including where you live, your phone number, credit card details, private life, photo history whilst simultaneously disclosing secrets from and venomous comments about, your workplace.

My further concern is the ubiquitous use of the word 'relationship' as it becomes part of the  lingua franca for the social media generation. 

Of course Loki. And when I'm going on holiday, so that someone can break in and trash the place. The possibilities are endless. As indeed are the possibilities for "relationships", although what I have with family and close friends is far more than that. I have "relationships" with peers, clients,  HiFi dealer, HMRC etc....

I'm very impressed with all of you who are so awesome that you avoid the social media trap that we lesser people are unable to avoid. I'll bet you don't watch TV either.

Didn't they just invent a new off-line social media experience ?

It would be interesting if social media also included an option for "dislikes", but I suppose they've run that option through their algorithms and found it would result in the eventual dissolution of their own sites.

winkyincanada posted:

I'm very impressed with all of you who are so awesome that you avoid the social media trap that we lesser people are unable to avoid. I'll bet you don't watch TV either.

No television here, not even catch-up streaming!

Not sure that puts me into anything but a tiny minority though.

ATB from George

I'm with George, although have to use Facebook to co-ordinate fixtures with my cricket team other than that I have no interest in it or in any other social media. Why on earth would I want to share everything? Why would anyone be interested!

Watch a bit of sport on TV and that is it. Maybe one other program a year!

Bruce

You can unlike or stop liking, or something like that., One day it will probably start a war, although it's started plenty of online ones already. 

I'm building a wall but I don't know where to put it. I think this might be one social media devisualisation model too far. Maybe sandwich boards......

I like those "click here and see what dog/superhero/Hollywood film star/what you will look like at 70" type of profile jobby's. What I really want to know is " what type of Sandwich would you be ".  I like to imagine that I'm one of those Scooby snack piled high multiple confections, but in reality I'm more of a sad and floppy Marmite and lettuce.

Loki posted:

I remember 'going out' and 'dating' my girlfriends, saying that we were 'together' or 'seeing each other' but never using the phrase 'I'm in a relationship'. The latter seems so soulless, distant, impersonal and passive, as if it is something that happens to one, rather than being an active and positive statement of commitment between two, people. Digital asceticism?

I did close my account on fb about 3 years ago when i realized that me and the "woman" i thought i was with weren't

two but 4 or 5 albeit it has been great when i've found all the people i know around the world and had the chance to say hello how are you!

I was just thinking this morning that, indeed, i've been without fb for about 3 years and don't miss it. Looks like that they can't live without it instead. For what i could learn it's more for those that can't rule all those titillating instintcts.......

That's not for me.

I have "relationships" with peers, clients,  HiFi dealer, HMRC

Nice distinction, although confusing for the Social Mediaites!

Winky,

I don't regard myself as awesome. Surely it's people who think that the world is so desperate to know their every thought , doing and meal are the ones who do?

steve

Surely it's people who think that the world is so desperate to know their every thought 

Ironic in the case of our forum, don't you think?! And if I 'like' your comment, does that mean we are in a 'relationship'?