Do you say I love you or change your relationship status first? Should you stay friends with your ex? Should you stay friends with your friend’s ex? Should you refriend the friend you defriended when she said something bad about your ex before he became your ex? Should you grab two Tylenol because Facebook etiquette is giving you a giant headache?
Our FFF board advisor Dr. Wanda Echevarria Rosen, PhD explains, “Facebook can be tricky – especially when it comes to love. Announcing your relationship to the world can certainly add stress to it, especially in the beginning stages. You suddenly have to succeed not only for yourselves, but for everybody who reads your wall.”
With this in mind, we have a few relationship do’s and don’ts when it comes to Facebooking.
Do not change your relationship status without consulting the other person. The guy you have been casually dating will not be flattered and may actually move out of state.
Do not write that you have just met the most wonderful guy in the world and you plan to marry him and have six children. He may move out of the country.
It’s OK to friend request the friends of the guy you’ve been dating for a few weeks – but just choose a few. This is the Facebook equivalent of putting some of your clothes in his closet. You want to do it carefully and slowly.
Don’t friend request the friends of the guy you went on a first date with last night.
Don’t ask someone to be your friend more than once. They didn’t miss the email.
It’s OK to stay friends with your ex.
It’s not OK to stay tagged in dozens of lovey-dovey romantic photos with him.
It’s OK to look at the new photo of your ex. We’ve all been guilty of the occasional ex snoop. And it’s more socially acceptable than hiding in the backseat of his car. Just don’t linger there too long!
It’s not OK to Photoshop the photo of your ex and put devil horns and a tiny penis on him.
There is no reason to look through the profile of your ex’s new girlfriend (and definitely don’t Photoshop devil horns on her).
Do not drink and post! It’s worse than drunk dialing or texting, because it goes out to your entire social network. If you pick up a drink, put your hands in the air and step away from the Facebook.
Have any other Facebook no-nos? Tweet ’em at us and we’ll add your faves to the list!
Have a great weekend!
xx, The FabFitFun Team
