Did You Just Threaten Me?
April 8, 2011
7:45 p.m. CST
Every so often, something happens that practically knocks me off my chair. Sometimes those things piss me off. Today, one of those things happened.
I signed up to Facebook about a year ago approximately. Ever since, I have seen several people do something that eats me inside out. That is demanding everyone who has 'friended' them re-post something as their status as well. The problem is not just in the fact that they demand the response they pose, but that also, they threaten the action of unfriending everyone who doesn't do as they demand, or implying in their post some sense of guilt if the response they pose isn't met.
When I went to grade school, I learned the difference between a statement, a demand, a request, and a question. For example:
"I need a hug" is a statement. It needs no manners because it is neither a question, a demand nor a threat.
"Please give me a hug" is a request. "Give" is an action word requiring some response. "Please" is the word showing manners. "Please" and "Thank You" are the words that prompt people to respond in the way the requester would like.
"Can you give me a hug?" or "Would you give me a hug?" are questions. Commonly, these can also serve as requests.
"Give me a hug" is a demand. It shows no manners, and as such implies that the person listening to you has nothing else to do but give you what you demand and/or this person you are speaking to is your personal slave. It is demeaning, demoralizing and degrading.
I have seen many of friends on Facebook make such demands and imply in their wording some sense of guilt if their "friends" don't respond by re-posting such things in their own statuses. They are usually young and full of themselves. They also generally end up learning eventually that good manners will go a lot farther than guilt trips.
But today someone else went further than just trying to put a guilt trip on me, they threatened me. This person actually said they would be checking their "friends'" statuses to see who to delete as a friend. Again, this person did not just say this to me, but everyone in their friend list. They said they wanted to see who was a true friend by "being there for them."
Excuse me, but I would like to ask....How is re-posting a status proving they are there for you? Is re-posting a status 100 times or more going to dry your tears if you're crying? Will it give you gas money for your car if your car tank is empty? Will it provide food if your cupboards are empty? Will it pick you up if you're stranded at the side of the road? What exactly does re-posting a status several times by all your friends do for you (other than stroking your ego)?
If you want me to re-post a status, may I suggest you ask or request this. I don't respond well, or at all, to threats. I may still decide not to re-post if you ask nicely, but re-posting is, after all, my choice.
Go ahead. Un-friend me. Unlike me. Un-follow me. Threatening me, you're not being much of a friend to me. But the next time you're crying, give me a call. I will hug you and listen. If you're stranded, I will do whatever I can. If you're hungry, again, I will do whatever I can. I will always be your friend, because I love you. But just remember, use some manners. I don't respond well to demands or threats.
