Is it okay to “defriend” a Facebook friend whose politics you find completely abhorrent?
What am I talking about? This exchange on Facebook the other night.
Fortunately, more people chimed in and echoed my sentiment.
What I find funny, is that chances are the people who agreed with the first status probably would never say that statement in person… in a room full of people… who are Haitian…
But me? Yeah, I would totally call someone out on an ignorant statement. Ask my husband. He’ll tell you I’ve been known to spout off my mouth ( sometimes at inopportune times.)
But this is Facebook. The land of the Face-less. Everyone can hide behind a computer screen.
But there are some “friends” on my friend list whose politics really irk me.
Like the one who updates her status with big smiley faces every time the health care bill hits a roadblock. Or the “friend” who likes to tell everyone how she thinks gay marriage is an abomination.
Can I de-friend someone just because their political views are different than mine?
My friend, Amber, once said if she wouldn’t have a drink with someone on her “friend list” she wouldn’t be their friend on Facebook. And I tend to agree.
So can I defriend someone who makes, in my mind, an ignorant, insensitive comment that breeds negativity?
Yeah, I can.
{ 28 comments }
Seems fine to me. I think we have enough negativity in our lives……friend-generated or not……get rid of the sources that upset you!
@Casey, Seriously!
I say go for it. I know I have
@Katy, It’s feels good to de-friend!
By the way, I’ve been trying to get on your blog for the past two days and it is loading really weird. I see all the photos, but no text. Anyone else having that problem, or is it just me?
Also… your wedding photos are beautiful! I love your dress and cloak (is that what you call it?) Fabulous!
@e, hmmmm…nobody else has mentioned anything (and I’m sure that my mom or my MIL would most definitely tell me)…I’ll be on the lookout! Thanks for letting me know.
And I love my dress and my “Santa” cloak too
@Katy, Okay, it mist have been that I was just using an older version of IE at work, because I can view it in Safari!
I didn’t defriend someone that was really bugging me with everything he kept posting but definitely should have. Maybe I will go defriend him now.
@Emmy, Did you do it???
Oh, I have defriended people based on their shoe style (laced mules are a NO-NO). Do what makes you happy.
@Patty, Ok, this made me DIE LAUGHING! defriending somebody because of their shoe style is so something I would do
@Patty, Laced mules… gross!
Patty- this does not surprise me.
That is just tacky…what she did..whoever she is. People are very brave behind their computer screens. Haiti has nothing to do with the other problems of the world or US right now.
I have friends on all side of the political game and wouldn’t defriend someone over a sensible exchange of ideas or beliefs, but something like that is just crass. I have unfollowed (yes, I will admit it) a few blogs when people have done something terribly offensive or tacky, etc. Not based on politics, just good judgment and taste.
Sorry that was long…and could be longer! I’ll stop now.
@Holly L, You know what? I think you said it perfectly. It is tacky. It’s not so much the idealogies or politics of someone that irk me, it’s the ways in which they are presented.
delete.
i’d have no problem unfriending this person. i just did it the other day because i was plain sick of her negative attitude.
go for it and don’t even think twice!
@Wendy, There is enough negativity around. To have to see it on your home page on facebook? Not worth it.
Absolutely. It’s YOUR page and your friends……..or, you could always just “hide” them.
@angie, I could, but it’s the principle! or is it the principal??
Darn right, you can. And hiding is an option for people you really can’t delete, like cousins and in-laws. Not that I’ve done that or anything…
@amber, A hem… no… never would hide… a hem… you know, important people.
Ha. One of my friends posted the same crap. I had a problem with it too…and had no problem telling them. so frustrating.
@Christine, Um. Did that certain someone have a boob job? Her politics are awful too!
I’ve heard about that statement posted as an update, haven’t witnessed it first hand yet. I think it’s appalling and ignorant and not even original. What better reason to de-friend or un-friend or Facebook banish?
@Mrsbear, True! Seriously though, why would you even post that? People don’t think things through!
Hey E.
Good for you for speaking out on this.
I’m actually defriending a RELATIVE for this exchange. I didn’t continue the exchange past his last comment. We’re not on the same intellectual playing field…
Him: Our “president” is an idiot. His approval rating is in the toilet. If he manages to still be in office in a year it will be in the sewer.
Me:You try that job for a day…see how you make out.
Him: Obvious u are an obamanite
Me: Just think everyone should be given a fair shot. One year is not enough to fix the problems our country was facing. The goal was progress, and there has been progress. It’s not perfect, and it never will be.
Him:Everything he says or does is lies. People have spoken. They thought they mass sewed up and they would push the healthcare bill right through. Nope sorry
Him . That train is stuck in the station.
@Holly S, I love how he specifically stated how he had so many trillion dollars in debt… before he even set foot in the door.
People forget how crappy things were for so long before Obama came…
Good for you! I’m always afraid to de-friend people because I don’t want them to hate me…and I get upset when people de-friend me or won’t even be my friend. Silly facebook!! lol
@Becca, Silly Facebook is right! Remember when we didn’t have to deal with this nonsense?
I would unfriend them…although sometimes I leave offensive people as friends just because it is interesting to read the posts and replies! Is that wrong of me? However, I am with you on this one. I feel strong about Haiti & that was wrong.
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