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Judge a Peep, Member or Friend By Their Cover?

By
Real Estate Agent with Liberty Homes RS-#62825

We venture out into the world of blogging and find ActiveRain, the Real Estate Network. We may get involved with the excitement of meeting new members but are mindful that the ActiveRain network is a place to connect with our peers as well. We blog about our business and expertise and then try out writing about our local areas and businesses. 

Because after all we are the ‘Area Experts' right?

 Along the way we find out that Twitter and Facebook are great places to catch up with friends and family and connect on a short term basis during the day .  We socialize and get to ‘know' people and think that ‘maybe' ...just maybe I may want them to be my ‘friend'?  But, I remember them from other social sites and how they were drama mamas.

Then again, I didn't know them personally either did I?

I will be the first to attest that I have judge people by their ‘internet cover' or their disguise if you will. I will also be the first to attest that I have been guilty of assuming (and we know what assume means) that people were as real as their boisterous and sarcastic words.  The truth of the matter is that their ‘cover' can only go as far as their sincerity with words.

Maybe those words behind the people can translate into a meaningful connection?

Funny, I was talking about this to a friend the other day and realized that no matter what...I don't get into drama in real life, so why would I online?  And so the reason to take many steps back a while back and not get involved online with squabbles and such.

If it's one thing I do know...I've learned many lessons and made many friends along the way ...even after the hereafter. The ones who've remained through thick and think are surely the friends I will carry through life.

So until I get to REALLY know you,

I'm not your friend .....or foe....

But I am an online peer....

Until we get to know each other better :)

Posted by

                                                       

 

Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman  is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs  she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.

 

 © 2007-2015 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's

Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.

All rights reserved.

     

 


 

 

Comments (15)

April Hayden-Munson
Brookfield, WI
Brookfield Wisconsin Real Estate

Nice blog Sally, it is so true that we don't know people from their online presence.  Some of us are true, some are showing a front.

By the way, are you near the Tripili Naval Hospital?  I have a friend who had to fly to Hawaii due to her son being in a serious motorcycle accident.  ( He has broken nearly every bone in his body, he was wearing gear and a helmet, so his head is ok.  He will need skin grafts and many surgeries....) She is spending most of her time at the hospital right now.  Hopefully he will start improving and she can see some of Hawaii.  If you are nearby I thought I may be able to help her with little things.

Feb 25, 2010 10:10 AM
Guy Thomas
WR Starkey Mortgage - Colorado Springs, CO

Sounds like a fair proposition to me, Sally. I have met with a few of the folks whose blogs I have read on AR. So far they have been pretty much like they are online. I have founds this ato be a helpful way to get to know someone a little better before I meet them in a social setting.

Feb 25, 2010 10:19 AM
Jo-Anne Smith
Oakville, ON

Sally,

It always amazes me the number of friend's requests I get on FB from people I've never heard of before.....I may not have thousands of friends, however the ones I do have, I genuinely know.  Perhaps I'm just a bit leary....possibly for good reason.

Jo

Feb 25, 2010 11:28 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Sally, I have this annoying habit of trusting people without making them earn it....and trust SHOULD be earned.  I like to think of the good in everyone and unfortunately, on occasion it's gotten me into trouble :(

Feb 25, 2010 12:09 PM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I wonder if the Swiss ever get into online squabbles.  It would defeat their national identity or remaining neutral. 

Feb 25, 2010 12:45 PM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Sally, I have turned down several request on Facebook for some of the reasons that you mentioned.

Feb 25, 2010 01:20 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

I haven't yet turned down Facebook friend requests for the reasons you stated.  However, I have turned down a very small number of requests where I couldn't figure out why they would want to be my friend.

Feb 25, 2010 01:37 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Woo Hoo, Write on my wall you fabulous lady. :-) I wrote a post to day about the simple ways to transition into Facebook. And I look you up tonight and you are talking about Facebook as well. We do live in parallel universes, you and I. I do know I think about you and the family so many times and it is getting that time again for a phone call. I will give you a heads up though, I know how you love our calls, LMAO. I hope you are all Well and Happy. Say Hi to Gary and Shadow for me.

Feb 25, 2010 01:50 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Hi William!  Oh, you better believe I miss all my talks with friends...got to speak with TLW and Kathy over the last week....but OUR time has to be lengthy lol.  We are well, happy and like you...busy!  I will check your post out....it was a smooth transition for me actually :)

Marc" yeah...me too.

George: Well, you're my friend but I can't seem to find you on my dashboard lol

haha Jane

Carole: Yeah..me too...but more often than not...a little banter turns me off immediately.

 

Feb 25, 2010 03:15 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Jo: Yeah...although you know what?  I've actually made amends with a couple people I neglected.....like my best friend from high school!  I haven't seen her since the 80's and darn if we didn't pick up where we left off!

Guy: It sure is!  I've had the pleasure of meeting many....through AR.....but it's becoming a thing to be more careful of the company I keep :)

April: Actually, it's Tripler Hospital...and yes, it's about 20 minutes away. My son just had emergency surgery there on New Year's Day. He called me from the emergency room....darn kids...they become adults and only call when it's serious :)

Feb 25, 2010 03:18 PM
Jeanean Gendron
The Address Realty - Redding, CA
Specializing in Selling Unique Properties

Sally, wondering why this is not featured. Lovely perspective and so you! Thanks for your hard work!

Feb 25, 2010 03:38 PM
Teri Eckholm
Boardman Realty - White Bear Lake, MN
REALTOR Serving Mpls/St Paul North & East Metro

Sally--I have had some odd FB friend requests and check the profile for additional information before friending anyone now. I decline several requests...of course not you. :)

Feb 26, 2010 01:52 PM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Sally - I'd like to think that FB might actually be a place where we can be a little more candid with one another, let our guard down a little and show our human side.  Still, I have friended a few people hoping to get to know them better outside of a proffesional setting (to sort of give them a 2nd chance), only to find that they are still all business and no fun. I don't mind if people want to be stuffy, but these people are now reading my wall but never commenting.  Are they just there to judge me?  Are they getting to know me without giving me a chance to get to know them?  Hmmm. Where do I find the little button to click on that allows me to de-friend????

Feb 27, 2010 03:11 AM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

I see a lot of people online getting into spats with one another and never really knowing one another. I don't like drama and I never have, so I don't deal with it online or in real life.

Feb 27, 2010 12:35 PM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Getting into spats, be it online or in person, just is not worth the energy it takes - my humble opinion-

Mar 01, 2010 08:17 AM