Why I’m No Longer Accepting Facebook Friend Requests from Colleagues
I’ve learned the hard way
I’m a teacher. I’ve been out of the classroom since 2020, but I’m about to return. My new job begins at the end of July, and there’s a decision I’ve been grappling with. Deep down, I know what to do, but I hate awkward situations.
Should I accept friend requests from my new colleagues?
Truth be told, I don’t want to. I’ve come to a place where I only want Facebook “friends” I’m actually friends with.
From prior experience, I know that well-intended colleagues will start sending friend requests soon after meeting. I’m pleased that they like me and want to get to know me. I will probably feel the same way!
I just don’t want it to be through social media.
Do I really need to know that much about my workmates? Do they really need to know that much about me?
In reality, only a handful of these people will probably actually become friends. For the rest of them, I am content with not knowing who they voted for, what they ate for lunch that day, or how they look in a bikini. I don’t think they need to know these things about me either.