I love creating systems of rules to live by. Simple ones, of course, but they’re structured, dignified, and classy. I don’t expect everyone to follow these, but I strive to.
Social Media Rules:
First of all, never post on Facebook more than once per hour. I try to keep it at a daily occurrence, but sometimes you just need to broadcast. Any more than that, and you look crazy. Twitter allows for more often, but don’t be crazy.
Have a lot of Facebook friends, but never too many. If you’re between 300-900, you’re all set. Any fewer than that and you look either picky or antisocial, which is fine, but we better be best friends, otherwise I’ll wonder why I made the cut. Any more than that, and you add everyone you come into contact with. That’s a little excessive.
You should interact more than post solo. If all you do is broadcast, then you should just get a blog. (Oh wait…)
Conversation Rules:
Strive to avoid swearing and cursing. Obviously, both have their place, and can be very effective. Don’t go halfway with symbols or non-ironic weak words, (sugar snaps is probably my favorite phrase) but swearing makes one appear immature, and that is not classy.
Talk about yourself for less than 20% of the conversation. Seriously. If you’re not worried about looking self-centered, then think about spacing out your achievements. I could spend an afternoon telling a person everything I’ve done, or spend 10 years surprising that person with all my great stories.
Be honest, then sincere, then polite, and then shut up. If you’re talking with someone who you’re great friends with, you can be honest. That means saying the positives and the negatives. Always. For people not that close, always be sincere by saying positive things only when you mean them. For people even more distant, politeness is the key. If you really can’t stand a person past that point, then it’s best to zip your lip.
Food Rules: (Yeah it does)
Eat what you like and like what you eat, but be ready to like the person you’ve become after eating.
I like to eat more green than anything else. I used to make fun of my grandmother for eating certain foods together “for the color,” but nowadays I’d rather not eat just a white meal. I’ve figured out that if I make my plate mostly vegetables, I can fill with meat/starch and be satisfied, but if I reverse that I just end up with too much food.
Ice cream is a right, but all other desserts are privileges.
Be honest, then sincere, then polite, and then shut up. If you’re talking with someone who you’re great friends with, you can be honest. That means saying the positives and the negatives. Always. For people not that close, always be sincere by saying positive things only when you mean them. For people even more distant, politeness is the key. If you really can’t stand a person past that point, then it’s best to zip your lip.
Food Rules: (Yeah it does)
Eat what you like and like what you eat, but be ready to like the person you’ve become after eating.
I like to eat more green than anything else. I used to make fun of my grandmother for eating certain foods together “for the color,” but nowadays I’d rather not eat just a white meal. I’ve figured out that if I make my plate mostly vegetables, I can fill with meat/starch and be satisfied, but if I reverse that I just end up with too much food.
Ice cream is a right, but all other desserts are privileges.
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