How do YOU use Facebook?

[ShelbyMay]

When I started using Facebook, I first thought of it as a sort of online "dinner party". You know, a little chit chat, tame humor, some pics of the kids. Because I have "friends" from all areas of my life, I try to avoid posting anything controversial or very personal -- sort of like the conversation rules at your average dinner party.

As the months have passed, I've realized that other people seem to view Facebook in a completely different light. Some people use it to communicate their political views. Others frequently post Bible verses. And some, well, just tell EVERYTHING!

I've begun to wonder if I am just silly to expect that others will follow the same conversational "rules" that I choose to...?

So, how do YOU use Facebook?

ETA: Couldn't edit the subject line to show emphasis on main page. I'm not looking for technical guidance on Facebook! ;)

[ShelbyMay]

Couldn't edit the poll, but I remembered that I have a couple of friends who use Facebook like the open mic night at a Comedy club. :) So I guess that is another option.

[BusyBee21]

Totally a dinner party for me, and a way to keep in contact with long lost friends. Great way to swap photos, recipes, TV shows, etc.

[bciob22]

Part Dinner Party, part games, and initially set it up cuz my kids had accounts and the rule for FB, MySpace, etc is they have to friend me in order to have accounts, so part teen monitering

[LDS Angel 19]

Lately, not for anything other than FarmVille, LOL.

[Mrs.Chappy]

dinner party...i've reconnected to my college friends..i'm in NY and went to UW-madison so its been great! i post pics of the kids, joke around in my updates etc...nothing too serious..why put it all out there..i use it for fun entertainment..after the kids go to bed i like to log in and read everyone's updates...that's all!!

[Chimichanga]

Mostly dinner party. However, after the presidential election I did post a few pro-Obama messages (really, to piss off ILs) but took them down fairly quickly and haven't posted anything too "charged" since then.

[Anna Low]

definitely as a dinner party/social thing. I've reconnected with friends from high school and college, which has been surprisingly nice. Plus, I can share my travel pictures and just generally keep in touch with people.

[dragonfly_71]

I voted dinner party. I use it to keep in touch with my old friends from highschool who are all over the world, but most of them still in Germany. I also found some other old friends and it is fun to reconnect this way. I don't post anything deep or thought provoking just fun stuff like "looking forward to going to the fair tonight" etc. I also post pictures of my son but mostly I just play the games like Farmville, Vampire Wars, Sorority Life etc. It is especially fun that I can play these silly games with friends I haven't seen in years. Oh and another thing I like is sending drinks or designer purses or other silly gifts to friends. Just fun, meaningless stuff like that.

[onfire]

I voted some combination, because while I don't post anything on Facebook to be intentionally confrontational, I don't find speaking about politics or religion to be off limits in real life, so I don't find it to be off limits on Facebook either.

[kindermom]

I voted some combination, because while I don't post anything on Facebook to be intentionally confrontational, I don't find speaking about politics or religion to be off limits in real life, so I don't find it to be off limits on Facebook either.

This. Although 95% of the time it is dinner party and games.

[Ribbit]

I voted some combination, because while I don't post anything on Facebook to be intentionally confrontational, I don't find speaking about politics or religion to be off limits in real life, so I don't find it to be off limits on Facebook either.

Yup, this exactly. :)

eta - sometimes I have my moments of posting personal info that is more diary-like than just chit chat in the updates, but mostly I keep it light. It's weird, because my boss, mom, and guys I like are all my fb friends, so I feel like I can't ever complain about work, family, or dating!!

[Myra]

I voted some combination, because while I don't post anything on Facebook to be intentionally confrontational, I don't find speaking about politics or religion to be off limits in real life, so I don't find it to be off limits on Facebook either.
This. For example, I'll share articles that are pro-gay marriage, and I'm currently expressing my disgust my former favorite football team (Eagles) in my status.

[laura]

I think speaking in passing about issues that are important to you, or posting links to articles occasionally even, can still be considered "dinner party". I would say I'm for gay marriage at a dinner party if it came up; I would not cram it down everyone else's throat no matter what and/or go on and on and on about it. Or get into an argument about it.

[TerpsFan]

I think speaking in passing about issues that are important to you, or posting links to articles occasionally even, can still be considered "dinner party". I would say I'm for gay marriage at a dinner party if it came up; I would not cram it down everyone else's throat no matter what and/or go on and on and on about it. Or get into an argument about it.

I feel the same way. I have fb friends that post all sorts of things (i have a surprisingly high number of VERY catholic friends on my list) that I have strong feelings against, but in the context of a dinner party I would not start an argument or debate. I would just walk away if I didn't agree with what they were saying. I do the same thing with fb....just move on. I don't post my political/moral/ethical values as status updates. If there are causes that I care about, I tend to find groups to fan or join so that if someone really wanted to get a jist of what I was about they could look in my groups.

[Heather719]

I more or less treat facebook like a dinner party. I only friend people that I'm friendly with in real life- people that I would happily sit down over a meal with, even if we're not terribly close. I primarily share light comments/thoughts, pictures and important family updates.

That said, I cannot get over how much some of my friends share on facebook. Spats with husbands, quiz results detailing their favorite sexual position, etc. Stuff that I really don't want to know about them and things I sure as heck wouldn't share in such a public way.

[Eliezrah]

For me it's mostly dinner party as well although I'm hooked on Farm Town! I do post some things diary-like sometimes but nothing overly personal that I wouldn't post here.

[Bloomwood]

Part Dinner Party, part games, and initially set it up cuz my kids had accounts and the rule for FB, MySpace, etc is they have to friend me in order to have accounts, so part teen monitering

I like this rule! Filing away for many years from now.

[Eliezrah]

I like this rule! Filing away for many years from now.I also like this rule!!

[amwilson615]

I voted some combination, because while I don't post anything on Facebook to be intentionally confrontational, I don't find speaking about politics or religion to be off limits in real life, so I don't find it to be off limits on Facebook either.

This is me, too.

[KGif]

I use Facebook like a stalker uses binoculars.

Just kidding.

Kind of.