Thursday, October 7, 2010

Peer Pressure-tweet tweet

Many months ago I posted a blog about Twitter and my feelings towards it. I still feel the same way, but now, I find myself in a predicament. My friends from church ALL have twitter and are in communication with each other quite often. I've resisted, I've held off, but I'm not sure how much longer I can resist. I don't really feel like I'm missing out, but they all tell me I am.

So, I thought I should write some pro's and con's, or better, maybe some rules of appropriate tweeting etiquette. I may offend you, you may have done these things in the past. I apologize, and we can talk about that another time.

My main reason I do not want twitter:
I think it is just plain rude to tweet, text, play a game, IM, surf the web, or look down at your phone for any extended period of time when interacting with a real live person, in person.

My twitter etiquette rules:
-An occasional tweet or text is permissible. However, if you are with someone you do not know well, you should not bring your phone out at all, unless absolutely necessary.Is Twitter ever absolutely necessary?(do not set it on the table, do not hide it in your lap, don't position it in your purse face up so you can see who's contacting you)
-If you are with friends or family and you need to contact someone, 2-3 texts or tweets over a few hours time is ok. I personally think it is less rude and more efficient, specifically if you are making plans or have actual important business to attend to, to excuse yourself, and make a quick phone call.

I fear that over time we might lose the art of conversation, becoming more and more socially awkward and unable to engage in casual conversation. Why? because of things like twitter.

But, I do understand it is not logical to think, my getting twitter, will cause others to have bad tweeting etiquette. I can chose to follow my own tweeting etiquette rules, in consideration of others, but my getting twitter will not improve or worsen their habits.
And I'm not sure I should stay away from twitter if it's something that is becoming more and more popular. However, I'm also not sure I should get twitter just because everyone else is doing it.

I think I'd like to go live in a hut with no cell phone reception, no home phone, and no Internet at home. Sure, I'd invite my friends and neighbors over for tea all the time, walk to the local Internet cafe quite often, check up on things, use their little phone booth to call internationally, but I would not feel the need to constantly check up on absolutely everything. :-) But until then, guess I'll just have to decide....to tweet or not to tweet.