Oy vey! Have you had enough of the Presidential election season yet? Between the primary season and now the conventions, social media has made it pretty much impossible to block out the race during the day. It reached an all time high (or low) last week as normally nice people were saying some not-so-nice things about both of the candidates.
So, I unfriended quite a few people last week, and it felt great! The volume of the claims and rants got to be too much for me. I don’t need all the negative energy. I don’t think anything any of my “friends” has to say is going to sway anybody’s decision on which candidate to vote for, and I’m not really interested in the arguments pro and con on the issues by those folks. I have my beliefs and have already chosen my man.
This would be a really good place to say that my Mom and Dad raised me not to talk about sex, how much money we make, or politics in polite company. And while I understand that social media is a great platform for sharing information, opinions, and ideas, to me it’s also a place where you can say the wrong thing way too easily. It’s pretty easy to just jump on the “Like” button and start mixing up your business with your personal. And for me, politics doesn’t belong near my business. So, I choose to not read and participate in those posts, and do a little unfriending when someone has too many angry outbursts on Facebook.
Whatever happened to being polite? Would these same people post something unflattering on Facebook about someone they know personally? We are used to positive comments and tags from friends and happy clients, but this whole bashing and negative talk really has me baffled. Just because they are public figures, I don’t think common courtesy should go out the window.
Is it just me?
FABULOUS, FABULOUS article!!! I agree wholeheartedly as I receive emails for music and article submissions, and it is incredible how many people throw spaghetti at the wall and fail to research where and how their emails for reviews and submissions might actually make more of an impact!!!
Amy, it is so not you! Unfortunately it is too easy for people to feel 10 feet tall when they’re in the safety of their own computer bubble. When it comes to being self employed, there is little line between personal life and business. We tend to blur it a lot, as one is often a natural extension of the other. When I work with a client on designing a business that fits them I look at their passions and interests. Where there is a seamless way to add in personal anecdotes, I believe it works, providing you are in a relationship-based business. However, I really don’t care what political stripe my bookkeeper, marketing consultant or business coach is… as long as they provide me with the service that is best for me. Some people make in their brand to be provocative or sensational, and in this case, ranting on social media can actually work for them but for most of us, I am with you.
Ah, a woman after my own heart! I haven’t started unfriending people, but after returning from a very peaceful week of vacation without Internet or TV, I realized how unsettling it was to return to all of the political drama on Facebook. My response was to unsubscribe from anyone posting controversial or offensive political photos or statements. I don’t need the drama or the irritation, and I certainly don’t want to get involved in discussions I might regret after the elections are over … because as you say, I already know who I’m voting for, so nothing anyone can say will make a difference. My news feed is a much happier place since I’ve begun unsubscribing from people’s news feeds.
LOVE the part where you say “And while I understand that social media is a great platform for sharing information, opinions, and ideas, to me it’s also a place where you can say the wrong thing way too easily.”. That’s SO TRUE!
Some of these political rants that people go on are things you know they wouldn’t dare say face to face with someone! Sheesh!!
Great post, Amy!!
YES YES YES!! So tired of political commentary jamming my news feeds and tainting my brain! I laugh every time I drive by a local business near me that has a “count down” of how many days left until the election marked on the marquee outside their store! I haven’t resorted to “unfriending” yet. I don’t participate in political discussions online or off but it is very interesting, to say the least to see where people “really” stand!
I hope people heed your warning and back off the rants!! Great article!
Ugh. Part of it too is the fact that people have this sense of freedom about saying what’s really on their mind with social media because they’re protected behind their computer. Some of these posts would NEVER be said in public. Social media in a way I think is hurting overall manners and etiquette in society as a whole.
Jennifer Bourn, Bourn Creative
Love the graphic “unfriend until election day”… oh if only that were an option! I find it beyond interesting to observe the things that people will actually post to Facebook. (I’d LOVE to dig into the behavioural psychology at play.) I’m with you in that I don’t mix something as personal as politics with business. What I’ve been thinking on this is that most people have Facebook accounts for personal reasons – to stay connected with friends and family. I on the other hand use Facebook primarily (95% +) for business so these kinds of conversations/posts really stand out to me. Either way I believe there are still some things that should not be shared in such a public space. ~ Gina xo
All of you had such great comments! I really appreciate the feedback on this topic. I guess if our businesses were in the political world, this would be a lot different…! Thanks, all.