Manners Matter More than Ever
Some things never go out of fashion. Plenty of people have tried to do their best to make sure manners do. But with the onset of social media as a leading form of communication, manners matter more than ever.
If I am going to create a presence through social media tools, I need to be myself – not hide behind a made-up name. I need to be polite and courteous. Be true to my word and honor the word of others. I need to be responsible for what I am putting out into the media-sphere. Is it honest? Is it the truth? Am I sure it will not harm others?
I also must commit to not wasting others time, or misleading them. Blanket emails aren’t nice. These are not just simple common courtesies any more. They are trust builders, and its trust that makes social media work. I have to be able to trust that the people who leave a comment on my blog are kindred creative spirits, not spammers from halfway around the globe trying to break into my site. Otherwise, why would be so open with my words? Likewise, I have to believe that the people who choose to follow me on Twitter are there to connect, not to broadcast porn to me. (Porn spam on Twitter is my current gripe.)
If Emily Post were still with us, she’s be busy polishing up her chapters on etiquette in social media. She’s not, so its up to us to be on our best behaviour. What are your etiquette gripes? What do you appreciate in the others you connect with online?
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You are so right Eileen! Manners online and even in real-life seem to have fallen by the wayside. Parents aren’t taking the time to teach their children good manners. Thankfully one of the first things we hear about our five sons is how polite each of them are, it makes you feel like you did something right! I’ve been getting those awful Twitter followers too, and block them right away. I appreciate it when others are kind and type an email as if they are speaking to me, not curt, short and to the point. Promptness is always great too!
I guess it makes me glad I am not on Twitter. I think manners are essential and an important thing to teach children,too. Their lives willbe driven by these social media tools. And in line with manners, I need to say thanks for the Blogging for Bliss book! I love it. I could not find it at Borders here, so I was happy to have won my copy! Thanks and keep up the good work!
Eileen ~ I couldn’t agree more! Another thing I’ve noticed is that people will type things to other people on sites and in email mesages that they wouldn’t dare say to their face. So sad.
I’ve been getting those horrible twitter followers too ~ I block them as soon as I see them.
However, I have met many truly kind kindred spirits since entering the world of the internet. It’s overwhelming!
On a side note, the etiquette book in your post caught my eye right away. I have an etiquette wreath hanging on my wall right now. It’s made from a 1950s Amy Vanderbilt etiquette book, and is waiting on a center medallion to be added.
Have a very lovely night!
Lana
Eileen,
You have had more influence on me than you will ever know when it comes to Netiquette. I resisted your thinking for four years. Then I was at a screening of Consuming Kids, a documentary about the deleterious impact media/advertising have on children. Afterward I was speaking to a mother of three young children. I mentioned my blog. I felt obligated to tell her I swear. I’ll never forget the expression…not the words…but the look on her face. It was then and there I decided to self-impose new rules.
New Rule Number One: No more swearing.
Pretty much all the things you mentioned are my pet peeves. Having silly people follow me on twitter, only to be blocked by me. Seeing how incredibly rude people can be on blogs, or getting an email every time someone puts something new in their shop, for instance {there is no “opt out” on this particular one.}
But then, why would the internet be any different than the real world? I noticed that two of the most polite and darling girls on the internet have already answered this post{Dawn and Lana} and that just proves what I know to be true, on the internet as in live, we surround ourselves with those kindred spirits. The others fall by the wayside.
great post! xo Lidy
Oh my! I simply can’t be late to anything, tardiness is a big no-no. But as far as the web goes…I like it when people read my blog and actually leave a comment or two! I like emails with exclaimation points because that is certainly how I talk. I am not into tweeting everything I do. In fact, I am afraid I don’t feel interesting enough to tweet a lot. Lastly, I do believe the French have it right when they begin a sentence with, “Pardon, me….”
I have a vintage copy of that very book, love it!
Just popping in to say Hello!
I see you guys are busy bees too, and producing lots of wonderful new books! I just received my copy of Blogging for Bliss, it is Fabulous, every blogger needs this for reference! Please say Hello to the girls for me!
My Best,
Sandra Evertson