7 Facebook Status Update That Will Get You “De-Friended”

For those of you who believe that your facebook profile is personal and that nobody should tell you what to do with the information your provide on it, think again. Your facebook profile is completely public. Your friends, family, boss and anyone with an internet connection can find out anything about you. You are sharing an experience with over 500 million people. There are some things that those people never want to read, and I would be willing to bet that when others commit the following atrocities you probably want to de-friend them as well:

1. Trash Talking: It doesn't matter why you may feel the need to vindicate yourself by defaming another individual on facebook. Don't do it. It's unprofessional, immature and really annoying to everyone else on facebook. It's also gossip and nobody who spreads gossip is actually respected. Think of it this way...if you are talking trash on one person on facebook, who won't you trash talk on?

2. Whining: Nobody likes a whiner. Misery may love company, but it's far better to change your point of view and take yourself out of the misery you have created than to try and drag anyone else down with you. Every time I see someone complaining via their facebook status, I want to stab their profile picture in the eye with my virtual spork and say, “Now you have something to complain about.” (p.s. I am not actually a violent person)

3. Religion Bashing: If you want to label yourself as a self-righteous bigot, go ahead and involve yourself in religious persecution. Conversely, if you don't have religious beliefs you shouldn't be criticizing those who do via facebook. There are forums, people. Forums dedicated to the sole purpose of expressing your opinion, offending others and finding like-minded believers or non-believers. Go find them. If you really need to criticize and offend, go do so where it is welcome.

4. Messaging someone because you suspect them of being an accomplice to your significant other's infidelity: Okay this isn't really a status update but it's still a no-no. I have so much to say about this one. First of all, even if you are successful at convincing the alleged accomplice to respectfully respond to your scathing email and leave your significant other alone, you have only won the battle. Your real issue is with your significant other, not the “other woman/man.” You will not solve your relationship issues by involving people outside of your relationship (a couples counselor being the only exception) in them. It's illogical and can only make problems worse. Do you really want to be the psychotic other half? Save your reputation and just dump the creep who you will never really trust again anyway.

5. Ridiculous invitations and requests: I've turned down every request you've sent so far to start my very own virtual farm. What makes you think that I would somehow be interested in starting a virtual farm if you ask a 27^th time? The answer remains the same. No. And if you ask again you will be deleted from my friend list. Thank goodness Facebook made it easier to block these requests by blocking the entire application. Now you are going to start sending me requests to join your mafia. Again, I'm flattered that you would consider me to be part of your blood thirsty, power hungry organization, but even if I were to join I'm sure I'd rather be a mob boss.

6. TMI: There is a difference between sharing newsworthy personal information such as a death in the family and giving away way too much personal information for free. I want to encourage my friends and offer support when they need and deserve it. On the other hand, there are things I don't want to know or at least find out via Facebook. Telling the world about your relationship issues? Probably not appropriate and very detrimental to the already fragile relationship.

7. Negativity: Everyone has a bad day once in a while but I find that some people feel the need to publish every bad moment of each day. I must admit that I have not always been the picture of positivity via my facebook status updates, however, I also refrain from publishing every negative thought I have. Expressing disappointment about your team losing the game is one thing but publishing rants and overly emotional thoughts every time you have one is overwhelming and annoying. It's hard on the rest of us to keep encouraging you.
   

In conclusion I would like to note that I do not always delete friends from facebook for the reasons listed above. I do usually hide their feeds and I also entirely block applications from which I do not want requests. There are always exceptions to the rule and expressing certain feelings can be appropriate at times. Remember to use moderation. Don't go overboard and if you feel the need to have a political or religious debate, join a forum. Leave the facebook statuses alone.