It’s 8 a.m. and you’ve just arrived at work. You turn on your computer, check Facebook and see on the right hand side of your Newsfeed, a couple of your friends have birthdays today.
So what’s the proper way to go about this?
First, stop and think. Do you know them? How well? Would you wish them a happy day in person?
If any of those are answered with a “no” don’t bother writing on their wall. Keep your connections friendly. As in, “with friends.” It’s weird getting a bunch of wall posts from people you rarely talk to. Seriously.
Now, think about the post you’re about to compose. I think the worst happy birthday posts are the ones that are exactly as follows: “happy birthday.”
How much does that totally scream “OBLIGATORY WALL POST” seriously? Make it exciting! At the very least add some exciting punctuation at the end. Maybe a smiley face. Anything to make it seem like you wanted to wish the person a happy birthday. That example (which I see all the time) just makes it seem like the well wishes were forced and not fun.
Thinking about writing that on my wall? Skip it. Seriously.
And as a final note, does acknowledging the birthday on Facebook exempt you from well wishes in person?
Absolutely not. If you see the person, wish them a happy birthday. It’ll take you two seconds and it means a hell of a lot more than a wall post.
23:53, 01.06.2011
Wondering if a person should be “friends” with someone whom they would not wish a happy birthday to in person…. I’m thinking if the answer is “no” to that question, then it might be time to pare back the friend list by one.
03:12, 02.06.2011
That’s where things get tricky! It’s all personal preference, really, but I am friends with a lot of people from my school that I may not be great friends with, but do have connections now and then. I also feel bad rejecting someone who, say, lives on my floor or attends my Philosophy class, just because I don’t know them well enough to wish them well on their birthday.
And some people wouldn’t care how well they knew someone, and would wish a stranger on the street a happy birthday!