“Friend Request”
What do think when you see these words? Sure, it’s a term used in “social media,” (which is another great term!), but think about the individual words, and what they mean to you. Don’t Google them, or look at what Merriam-Webster says. This is personal.
Want to know what I think?
Really? Then why are you here? This is my blog! Rude!
Gosh. I’m sorry you had to witness that. But enough about you. I was telling you what I think.
I think that the Friend Request button should say “Introduction Request.” The true request for friendship is everything you do and say in your interactions with a person after they Accept your Introduction Request.
Sounds simple enough, right? (Hey! My blog, my premise!)
I’ve been lucky enough to make several good friends on Facebook, and reconnect with some from the “real world” (another great term!) pals, too. When I think about how the best of those Facebook friendships began, they all have something in common. They mostly involved me thanking someone for sharing my post, or vice versa, which began a more personal conversation based on shared interests.
[warning]None of them, by the way, began with “Thanks for being my friend! Here’s a link where you can do a bunch of things for me.”[/warning]
Real life is similar. I have “friends” who take an interest in my life, and I in theirs. We do things to help each other because we care about each other. I also have “friends” who take. They take, and the only time they give is when strings are attached. Not pretty bow strings, either. They give only when they need something specific in return.
I mostly avoid the annoying takers, and welcome the good ones with a smile. [important]In that spirit, I want to say a few words to one of the good ones, Emily Johnson, who is always giving, supportive and encouraging. I’m glad the seat in that Java class was empty that day, Emily. Happy Birthday, my friend![/important]
Whether in real life, or on social media, we encounter nice people, asshats, and plenty of others in-between. Treasure the nice ones, and encourage the in-betweeners, but Please Don’t Feed the Asshats. It only encourages them.
No flaming in the comments, please! Save that for private messages 
Cheers,
Greg
PS. If you enjoy my posts, and would prefer I spend more time writing than serving you “fries with that,” then
Buy Apocalypstick:
Amazon.com
B&N.com
Smashwords
Kobo
and keep an eye out for Tales From the Mist on October 17th!
Author's Den
The Bookish Brunette
The Readers Guide to ePublishing
Great post! And as a friend you are an absolute joy.
Crazy, insane and all round nutcase, but a joy nevertheless
Okay, managed to ‘share’ on f/book & twitter.
Thanks CC
My “good-time” insanity is just a ploy to attract fun people to be my internet friends. You are all falling for it exactly as I planned. Muahaha!! Phase two: Sharks with Cheese Whiz cannons on their heads! MUAHAHAHAHA!!
You are the best my friend
Hey, everyone, it’s the birthday girl! Happy birthday Emily! I’m glad you made it.
Happy Birthday, Emily! Great post, Greg. Yours is definitely one of the friendships I treasure. So glad I met you.
Ditto, Rhonda! You’re the very template of an awesome friend! Most definitely a keeper, in my book
I just saw this. That is so sweet, Greg! Thank you!
I wish I had something clever to say, Greg, but all I’ve got is Good Post! Oh, and I did my part getting you out of that “fries with that” job. So you better be writing cause I’m waiting for your next book.
Thanks Sheila! And thanks for the Tweets, too! They cracked me up. Break’s over. I work for you, now.
I must say that you hit the nail on the head and the hammer was true to mark with this post my friend!!!!
I swear there are really days I want to delete my account and dump the drama and then I remember that there are a few good friends in the mix.
It’s great to see you here again, Penelope Ann! I’m sorry for your drama. We all have “friends” like that. I find avoidance works most of the time, but sometimes it’s worthwhile to leave subtle hints about what we like in a friend to contrast the things we don’t. Sometimes it’s worthwhile go Nuclear! That’s the tough decision, I suppose. You can send your troublemakers my way, if you like. I’ll train ‘em up for ya!
More with “Dr. Greg” in three minutes! Stay tuned…