Facebook as a bragging tool....

[ckay87]

I see so many people complain that FB is just a tool for people to brag about themselves. Am I the only person who thinks that's pretty much complete nonsense? I feel like people posting about themselves on FB does not qualify it as bragging. If I say "going to another concert tonight, yipee" for example is that bragging? (real status update, btw , haha) I just feel like it's starting a conversation which any one of my friends is very welcome to join and contribute to. Jill might respond with "who are you going to see?" I would respond, someone else might say "I saw them in June, they were great." I'd ask "did they play the xyz song?" etc. etc. Done right, as with ANY method of communication, it's a social exchange. There will always be selfish people in life as well as on FB. But the true beauty of FB is that those folks can be deleted (this is quite fun, in fact!)

One friend just posted "Jonny made honor roll!" I don't see that as bragging. They are my bona fide friends, I'm happy to hear that and will respond accordingly (my response...."Awesome! I'll never know what that feels like!")

The truth is, I feel like if you complain about people talking about themselves in positive way, be it on FB, via phone, in a group of people, or a holiday letter, you just kind of come across as jealous. Not directed at anyone, it's something I keep hearing pretty often on here and it gets under my skin, I guess.

 

[disykat]

Sure, I might tell some friends that I was going to a concert or that my child made the honor roll. They tell me the same things about themselves and their families. However, I see a difference between telling a few friends and telling my entire facebook friend list. I have people on there that I don't normally tell stuff, so a one sided litany of only our good stuff could come off as bragging.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

Well I just bragged that my hubby is soo awesome he surprised me with a new camera yesterday

I don't care overall I read and respond to what I want. BUT if someone posted the same thing I did but went into great detail the price of it I guess I would roll my eyes and think whatever. BUT overall most people I know don't live close since we are military and alot of them are too are not bragging but just keeping friend and family updated.

 

[PUZZLDY5]

I have to agreee with this. I have lots of family and friends ( for real friends not FB friends) that live in other parts of the country and I love to keep up with their daily hum drum life and as far as I know they like keeping up with mine also. So for me to post something about my kids i get lots of good responses. Maybe I'm strange but I love FB.

 

[krcit]

I don't consider that bragging at all. Out of all my FB friends, there is only 1 or 2 who I would say are always 'bragging' and I just take it with a grain of salt. I enjoy hearing about my friends kid accomplishments and stuff.

I love Facebook for a few reasons. It has gotten me back in touch with a couple of long lost friends who I adore and am thrilled to have them back in my life. Also, right now I have one of my best freinds in the hospital with leukemia. FB is a way for everyone to send her thoughts and prayers and love and it is really helping her through her month long hospitalization. Also we are holding a benefit for her family and FB allows us to reach so many more people. I reached out last night and have already have 3 offers of stuff to raffle Lastly, I recieved a beautiful email a couple of months ago from an old friend. I had no idea that she had been going through a horrific time in her life and she told me that FB kept her sane. Every positive comment on her page helped her through a really rough time.

 

[Acklander]

When friends post about things going on in their life, I don't consider it bragging, but people happy about what's going on in their life. Same when friends posting about trouble or concerns - some people are more open than others. Doesn't bother me. I do see the occasional "bragging" about kids grades, but that's consider a right of passage when being a parent. I'll do a "woo-hoo!!!" when they talk about their kid's accomplishments, just like they do with mine.
None of this stuff bothers me, as a matter of fact I kind of like it - it's a way of feeling close to someone without having to put forth much effort LOL

 

[ckay87]

Sure, I might tell some friends that I was going to a concert or that my child made the honor roll. They tell me the same things about themselves and their families. However, I see a difference between telling a few friends and telling my entire facebook friend list. I have people on there that I don't normally tell stuff, so a one sided litany of only our good stuff could come off as bragging.

Yet people come on here and post similar (if not even more detailed and bragging) stuff about themselves to thousands and thousands of complete strangers. This is what I don't understand. You're welcome to you're opinion of course, but at least FB presents and promotes actual in-the-flesh social interactions.

Actually, as I type that, this could be an interesting point. IS it better, maybe, to brag to strangers in that they serve as an anonymous sounding board? Hmmmmm.

 

[RadioNate]

I agree with you OP. The people on my Friends List are FRIENDS. I like hearing what they are up to and their good news. I don't see it as bragging at all.

I much prefer that to political and religious statuses and the ones from people who always are complaining about something.

And if posting about going to concerts is bragging I'm in serious trouble!

 

[MushyMushy]

For me, I have to consider the source. Most of the time I don't see any of that as bragging, and I often do join in on the conversation with comments. However, I do have one or two people on my friends list who are crazies and you just know that when they post these things, they're trying to get a rise out of someone else.

 

[Pakey]

I see it more as sharing my joy with friends and family. I feel the same when they share with me. I guess if I felt that anyone was bragging I would unfriend them.

 

[emma'smom]

I think the posts designed specifically to let everyone note that someone was at a specific social event smack of "Look at me, I'm so popular!" I have "friends" who carefully construct their online image and play one group of friends against another on a regular basis.

The other ones that are eye-rollers (but amusing) are the ones that list all of the components of their dinner with an emphasis on how organic, free-range, and locally grown it all is. Not that these are bad things....but the posting practically scream "Look how great a wife/mother I am! What are you feeding your family tonight?"

 

[wideeyes]

I would expect people to post about their own life on their own facebook page. I thought that was the point of it. That you kept in touch with people. I do post photos of concerts, holidays and trips out so I guess that could be seen as bragging however it is a good way to share photos with my family.

 

[ClarabelleCowFan]

I have gotten to the point that I block any statuses that talk about upcoming Disney trips from certain friends and family just because they either see it as bragging or just don't understand why we go to Disney instead of going to see them.

I don't see it as bragging - I see it as a benefit of moving close enough to WDW to drive.

I am also happy to hear about friends accomplishments or cool stuff that happens to them. I have a friend that seems to always win concert tickets on the radio and I don't see that as bragging - I see that as COOL for her and always comment congrats and tell her to have a good time.

 

[KristaTX]

I don't ever really see bragging with my friends/acquaintances, except in cases where "bragging" is merited such as talking about good things someone else (e.g. child, spouse, sports team) has done. I never see obnoxious bragging like "I got a raise today and went from making $20,000 to $100,000 a year."

I don't hear things like "I'm going to see Paul McCartney" as bragging, but just as sharing one's excitement.

The thing that I don't like is when people constantly complain like Debbie Downer. I end up hiding those people. And as kind of a critic/complainer myself, that is also one of those things that I constantly try not to do myself.

I also hide people who post TMI about themselves or their children.

 

[Acklander]

I think the posts designed specifically to let everyone note that someone was at a specific social event smack of "Look at me, I'm so popular!" I have "friends" who carefully construct their online image and play one group of friends against another on a regular basis.

The other ones that are eye-rollers (but amusing) are the ones that list all of the components of their dinner with an emphasis on how organic, free-range, and locally grown it all is. Not that these are bad things....but the posting practically scream "Look how great a wife/mother I am! What are you feeding your family tonight?"

But I don't see it this way at all. I have a friend from high school that talks about all the concerts she goes to (and she goes to plenty) - she's very into music and she'll share some great links, from that I've found some new great bands to listen to. I don't think she's bragging about what a great social life she has, she's sharing something that's very important to her.
I have another friend from H.S. that travels a lot. Her kids are grown, she and her husband split up, and now this is "her time" where she's doing stuff just for her. I love hearing about her latest trip to vegas or atlantic city, or LA, or where ever. Whenever I'm planning a cruise or a trip, I let her know so that if she's going to be travelling around the same time maybe we could meet up. She's someone I know will travel at the drop of a hat vs. an old friend that only travels to see the in-laws every other year.
I have a couple of friends that post about their great dinners, one I went to H.S. with, one I used to babysit. There menu's look awesome and they're my go to person when I'm looking to do something different for dinner or have company over.
With facebook I've found casual friends from my past that I now have a great deal in common with, so we've become closer - I know this from the status updates in their lives. I've also found friends that I used to be close with but don't have as much in common as before. I still like to hear about what they're doing from the former bond we held, even though we're not that close now.
Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I cherish the friends I've met along the way and how they influenced me at different times in my life. I'm glad to have a way to share with their struggles and their triumphs now.

 

[snapppyd]

I hope no one thinks I am bragging when I talk about going to concerts and Broadway shows. My Dh and I have no children, therefore, no grandchildren to spend our money on . We've worked hard and this is our time to enjoy ourselves.

I feel happy for anyone I know posting about enjoying themselves.

 

[MichelleVW]

I'm with you...I don't see it as bragging either....just sharing things with my friends. I don't think I have any bragging friends?

 

[ckay87]

But I don't see it this way at all. I have a friend from high school that talks about all the concerts she goes to (and she goes to plenty) - she's very into music and she'll share some great links, from that I've found some new great bands to listen to. I don't think she's bragging about what a great social life she has, she's sharing something that's very important to her.
I have another friend from H.S. that travels a lot. Her kids are grown, she and her husband split up, and now this is "her time" where she's doing stuff just for her. I love hearing about her latest trip to vegas or atlantic city, or LA, or where ever. Whenever I'm planning a cruise or a trip, I let her know so that if she's going to be travelling around the same time maybe we could meet up. She's someone I know will travel at the drop of a hat vs. an old friend that only travels to see the in-laws every other year.
I have a couple of friends that post about their great dinners, one I went to H.S. with, one I used to babysit. There menu's look awesome and they're my go to person when I'm looking to do something different for dinner or have company over.
With facebook I've found casual friends from my past that I now have a great deal in common with, so we've become closer - I know this from the status updates in their lives. I've also found friends that I used to be close with but don't have as much in common as before. I still like to hear about what they're doing from the former bond we held, even though we're not that close now.
Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but I cherish the friends I've met along the way and how they influenced me at different times in my life. I'm glad to have a way to share with their struggles and their triumphs now.

Excellent post and this sums up my feelings as well. A lot of people feel like "well I didn't talk to you in high school, why would I talk to you now?" And my thought regarding that is because we were stupid in high school. I have a set of FB friends that I didn't talk to in high school because NOBODY talked to them in high school. These two have been very interesting, funny, and informative since we connected and we now get together in real life for a lunch now and then. Kind of reconnected due to the common bond of HS, but connected because of what kind of people we have become.

 

[Tink888]

I don't see it as bragging either. My FB friends are all people I know and like. I want to hear their good news and be happy for them and I hope they like hearing mine. I'd much rather read those types of posts instead of negative complaints about everything.

I only have one friend who seems a little braggy to me. For me, it's easy to tell a bragger from someone just posting good news by the way the post is written.

 

[Robinrs]

I must be old. My FB people announce deaths mostly.....

I really don't have any "braggarts" on my list. I use FB to keep up with old friends, classmates and relatives. We have people post milestones, but I don't consider that braggadocio.