eSCAping Type 1

When I was a high school English teacher, I’d always dedicate a few days to teaching my students how to properly write an email.

We’d look at some real-life examples – actual, anonymous correspondence sent to me by their peers – so that they could see why we were spending time on this. And then we’d discuss matters like why spelling/capitalization/punctuation are important, or how teachers’ names aren’t usually “Heyyyyyyy,” or how they maybe want to consider using a username other than SoccerBro42069.

I called it Email Etiquette.

But now my attention has shifted elsewhere.

You see, today’s post is strictly on social media. And writing. More specifically, how (& when) to respond to people on Facebook.

Comment etiquette, if you will.

As someone who now spends an embarrassing amount of time on social media, I felt strongly compelled to write this. Sorry if I sound pretentious; I swear I’m only trying to help.

Between irrelevant answers to group questions, inappropriately shared articles, and unwarranted daily “advice,” the teacher in me just couldn’t go another day without attempting something. Feel free to subtly share this on any of the countless applicable posts I’m sure you’ll see today.

 

Ok, so, first and foremost, when commenting on Facebook, always always always consider your audience and objective.

 

Remember, it’s social media. It’s not a personal conversation with the original poster. Every single “friend” can read what you write on their home page. Every single group member can see what you reply in that forum.

You are, essentially, responding to hundreds of people, not just one.

But, Meg, I only accept friend requests from people I know. And my account is private. Great! Now Google screenshotting and understand that anything on the internet is fair game to literally anyone at any time.

Keep this in mind whenever you write a status, or share an article, or post a picture…

Is that really how you want to present yourself to the world?

Maybe it fits in with the content on your feed; your post probably blends right in among your friends.

But – keep in mind – it kinda sticks out on mine. Something that took you one second and zero thoughts to share might be the only thing I see of yours. Therefore, my entire perception of you could very well be based on half a sentence you wrote at 2 am.

Now, I’m all for showing your true self and being authentic and all that. You do you. But, like I said, remember your whole audience and how people are perceiving you.

Some things are better left unsaid.

Which brings us to objective: The reason why someone asked that question. Their purpose. Their goal.

Every single time before you hit that Enter key, ask yourself if you’re being beneficial. Are you helping the original poster? Is your response worth being read? What is your objective?

For example, if someone simply asks, “Has anyone been to that new restaurant?” Their objective is probably more so wanting an informal review, not specifically asking you where you eat. So, you saying “No.” does not fulfill any sort of objective, and therefore is pointless to write, or read.

Or if someone on an Ataxia Support Group writes, “I was just diagnosed with SCA Type 1, does anyone else have it?” Do you really think replying, “I have Type 6” is necessary? As a group member, chances are you have some sort of Ataxia – the questioner wants to find people who relate to them.

And if you don’t, chances are they don’t care.

Similarly, experience is usually much better than opinion.

You may have heard of SCA1, but if you don’t have it, we probably don’t want your “helpful yoga plan.” If you don’t have kids, I don’t need your hypothetical parenting advice. And don’t even get me started on educational suggestions from non-teachers. Even if you read an article on it.

But it’s Facebook! Of course people are going to share their opinions!

And, contrary to popular belief, you do not need to agree with all of them! AND you do not need to immediately make it known to that person that you disagree. I promise it’ll be ok.

Please correct me if I’m wrong (and I do really want to be wrong on this), but I don’t think anyone has ever changed their personal opinion because of a stranger’s angry Facebook response. I don’t know anyone who’s like, “Good thing Becky posted that 3-paragraph long rant on my new profile picture! No more mask-wearing for me!”

Now, I’m by no means promoting cancel culture. You have every right to promote whatever you believe in.

Just do it appropriately, that’s all.

Believe it or not, this post is not a specific response toward anything in particular, though I’m sure several Facebook comments popped into your mind as you’ve been reading this. Whether it’s dietary supplements, co-sleeping, pandemics or politics, please think before you post.