If someone never likes your Face Book posts, are they really "friends"?

[JoeOtterbein]

Just wondering, cause I just unfriended a bunch!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I never "like" anything on FB, even though I think of FB as a good thing.

So if we were FB friends, would you think less of me? It's not you, it's that I NEVER "like" anything or anyone of FB.

[radical noodle]

2. It's possible

If they have a lot of friends, they won't see everything all their friends (or you) post. It's entirely up to you, though. If you want to predicate friendship on liking your posts, you may keep pretty busy unfriending folks. I often don't even see the posts my husband makes.

One thing about unfriending is that it narrows down posts for you to like, though.

[JoeOtterbein]

3. Good point, but just like here on DU I always let everyone see anything I've ever posted anywhere...

...on the Internets in my real name (yeah, I know what you are thinking, except typing "nude women" in a search engine is not really a "post"!). Cause it's not worth typing to me, if I don't own it 100%. Same on FB and Twittering. So I guess I will continue to delete!

[Fla Dem]

4. Putting any value on a "like" to determine whether someone is your friend is moronic.

I think the whole like thing is kind of silly.

[JoeOtterbein]

5. But if they do not "like" you, how can they be friends?

[Fla Dem]

6. Are they saying they "don't like" or just not saying anything?

[JoeOtterbein]

7. Both.

In that they never comment or like.

[Fla Dem]

8. OK, I don't do FB or Instagram. So educate me.

If I was on FB and I post something,...say "I had a really good steak dinner at some restaurant", what, there are options for people you've allowed to see your FB page to choose either they liked or disliked that post?

[JoeOtterbein]

9. They can only like, wow, heart, laugh, tears or angry. No dislike button.

[Fla Dem]

10. So I should get my feeling hurt if one of my "Friends" doesn't "wow, heart, laugh, tears or angry" ?

To me that's a pretty superficial way of determining who your friends are. They aren't being negative, they're just not pushing an emoji button. I measure friendship at a much deeper level I guess.

[JoeOtterbein]

18. I'm not saying I'm hurt. It takes a physical attempt to do that to me!

Ya know, sticks and stones.

[Harker]

12. Not much nuance available in the options.

If there was a "I enjoy some of your posts, and generally respect your ideas and opinions - but my true friends are the people I hang out with at and after work" button, maybe you'd feel better.

[cwydro]

34. I have a facebook account, but very rarely go there anymore.

I hardly ever comment. Some people post so much there would be no way to keep up with likes lol.

But I still like anyone on my friends list, even if I don’t “like” their posts. Usually I don’t see the posts.

I only have people I know personally, a few DU friends, and family on my list.

[NurseJackie]

11. Wow. That's harsh.

Wow. That's harsh.

I have facebook friends who seldom/never "like" updates or photos that I post. But when I see them later (in person) they'll comment about having enjoyed seeing my photos, or they'll ask for more details, etc.

I just can't imagine being someone who could judge someone's worthiness (to be a FB friend) by whether or not they took the time (or had the time) to easily click "like" or comment for everything I post or share.

[JoeOtterbein]

14. No, I literally mean they have never, ever, in years never liked or commented, anything.

If they don't "like" you are they really a friend?

[NurseJackie]

16. I judge my friends on less superficial things.

I judge my friends on less superficial things. I can see myself "un-friending" someone for something offensive that they said or posted or shared. But I really see no good purpose in "un-friending" someone over something that they DIDN'T do. They are under no obligation to "like" my posts, or to compliment my achievements, or to wish me happy birthday, or to publicly laugh at my funny stories. If I felt that way, it would indicate that I have an attitude of feeling as though I was entitled to something from them... and the truth is, I'm NOT entitled.

I don't know... this all seems rather shallow to me. All I'm trying to say is that I'm able to see Facebook for what it is... I'm realistic. To me, Facebook is not the be-all/end-all of my life... it doesn't define me... I don't use the reactions of others (or lack thereof) to determine MY or THEIR value as friends or human beings.

[JoeOtterbein]

17. I think that many people take things like FB posts much too seriously.

They are just thoughts, images etc. that folks have at the time. Kinda like when I comment, "Go Bernie"! Just a feeling of sorts.

That's why I love the internets; nothing is written in stone.

[RobinA]

33. How Old Are You?

It’s Facebook. For the longest time I didn’t even know you were supposed to « like. » I use it to keep up with people. Some of my friends never post. Or like. I don’t even pay attention to « likes . » It’s elementary school stuff. Hell, I’ve got some friends I don’t even like on Facebook. But I like them in person, so that’s what counts.

[NurseJackie]

37. That's a valid question.

[cwydro]

35. Well said.

I can’t say I’ve ever really noticed how many likes I’ve gotten - not in years.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

13. Moreover, are facebook "friends" really friends? And if so, why the need to keep a running tally

of how many "friends" you have? Always seemed rather middle school juvenile to this non-user. My mama taught me it was quality not quantity that mattered.

Long way of saying- cut em loose if you don't consider them real friends. However you define friends.

[JoeOtterbein]

15. Bingo!

I'm down to like 50 real friends. Fine with me. I think the rest were just lurkers I happened to know in real life.

[LeftInTX]

19. They may not have been active on FB

Or they may have too many "friends" themselves.

No big deal cutting them lose.

Yes some people like to lurk.

I get friend requests from weird people. When I do I also block them.
Someone who sends a friend request can also follow you.

[JoeOtterbein]

20. For a while I would get friends requests from attractive Russian ladies. I never went anywhere...

...close to them. Now not so much. I'm hoping it may be a good sign for us in 2020. Maybe they are not as interested in getting Trumpy elected this time.

[LeftInTX]

21. I get Indian and Middle Eastern Men

They will have a name like, "John Smith" and have a white guy profile pic. It always says, "Widowed" on their status.
Then when you look at the name in the address bar it is obviously not John Smith. (Sometimes they have friends who also indicate their nationality. I think they are scammers.

[JoeOtterbein]

22. Funny! Once when I had a Russian lady request I noted later that week that a local GOP pol was...

...already her friend! Then he lost the election he was after.

[Skittles]

23. this reminds me of Tigerbeat

seriously

[NurseJackie]

30. That's a good analogy.

[Skittles]

32. are we geezers yet, NurseJackie?

[cwydro]

36. Bwahaha!

Perfect!!!

[Skittles]

38. I can't help it

whenever I hear "Facebook speak", it all sounds so depressingly JUVENILE

[cwydro]

39. Yep.

[Beringia]

24. I used to consistently get the most likes

from a sister-in-law who I have nothing in common with and who I have never been able to have a conversation with, so go figure. She left facebook for some reason, and I lost my most committed "like" person. I give likes freely, as long as I benefited from it in any way at all to every different person on my facebook friends.

I get the most natural give and take in a coyote group. It is not a group that you just follow, but individuals that love coyotes. They always appreciate good posts on coyotes.

[JoeOtterbein]

26. Me too. I give likes and recs out like candy. If someone takes the time to post something...

...that appeals to me in anyway. Good or bad.

[Iggo]

25. Are they even if they do?

It's Facebook likes, everybody.

It's not love.

[JoeOtterbein]

27. Seems more likely. No pun intended!

[Croney]

28. They might not like your posts because they don't follow you, so they don't even see your posts

unless they click on your name and look at your page. I don't follow all 45 of my friends and I know they don't all follow me. I don't care.

What makes me SMH are people who like their own posts. That's like using your cell phone to call yourself on your landline so you can say hi.

[LastDemocratInSC]

29. I've never seen a login window for Facebook. It's a deeply toxic site. Run away.

[JonLP24]

31. I rarely get likes on Twitter

If I have a good reply I'll get a lot of likes but I rarely do on my timeline.

[crazytown]

40. Don't they like otters Joe?

That photo you posted or something

[JoeOtterbein]

41. No! I was talking about people who have never, ever, not one time in about a decade, liked any post.

At all.

I like all my friends posts, that I read, unless they they are being rude. Just like I always rec posts here, that I read, unless they are being rude to me or another DU member. (Repubs don't count!)

I'm not talking about you, but it seems many here were triggered by this question. I'll gather more evidence, here and on FB, before I come to a conclusion why this seems to be the case.

[crazytown]

42. Oh sorry

I thought you might have done a purge of Trumpers. I get what you're saying now. OK.

[JoeOtterbein]

43. Actually, most of them were Trumper's.

I'm still researching, but there seems to be a link!

(little smiley emoji waving at ya!)

[crazytown]

44. "there seems to be a link"

What? They didn't like your posts warning about MS-13, the Deep State and vast left wing conspiracy :smirk:

[JoeOtterbein]

45. Hahahhaaaa!

Thanks for another laugh! (although my throat is already sore from laughing so hard about Trumpers who might, or might not, "Love Trump's A......&quot Hahahahahahahaaaa! All night long...all night...long! Hahhhahhahaaaaa!!!!!

[crazytown]

46. trumps ass - big big love

[JoeOtterbein]

48. Blubbbubuuubub (I just spit out my beer!) bbbbbaaabababababbbbbhahahahahhahaaaaaaaaa!!!!

I'm just about to choke!

[crazytown]

47. Addendum: I knew a Trumper

who (at first) thought MS-13 was a Microsoft Windows update! I wrote it up as a joke - her looking to install border wall software.

[JoeOtterbein]

49. Bingo!

Now, you are trying to make me choke!!!!

Hahahhhaaaaaaaa!

[crazytown]

50. I nearly choked at the time

'Im worried about the MS-13 update'

[Anon-C]

51. Kick and Rec

Happy TGIF, Joe!

[JoeOtterbein]

52. Thanks!

Have fun!

(little smiley emoji guy waving back at ya!)

[TalenaGor]

53. some ppl don't Facebook much....