Since when did Facebook Become a Step...

Guest blogger: Sarah Morrell 

Facebook has become a real ‘step’ for any relationship 

Its holds some pretty juicy information — from a love interest’s favourite band to photos of a romantic outing with an ex., Facebook has become a modern day background check for any prospective love interest. So when is the right time to click that seemingly harmless ‘add friend’ button? 

The truth is there is no conclusive etiquette on when to send a friend request… some prefer to connect after they’ve gotten to know him or her, some prefer to connect right away.  

A recent survey revealed 66% of us have stalked someone on Facebook before meeting him or her in person.  

As daft as it may sound… Facebook has become a real ‘step’. Yep, this is dating in a modern connected world. Even talking on the phone as opposed to texting is now considered a step. 

So when is it OK to send someone a friends request....?

After multiple dates - 26.9%
Before your first date - 26.6%
After your first date - 21%
Not until they send you a friends request - 13%
When you decide you're an item -12.5%

Here is how to tip-toe around this strangely sensitive issue and the reasoning behind it… 

The virtual ‘Hello’… to everyone! 

For the sake of argument, let’s say you’ve been on two or three dates and you have every intention of seeing them again, you like them and you can see it possibly going somewhere. Would now be the time to introduce this person to ALL of your friends? Your family? Your exes? No - but that’s basically what Facebook is, isn’t it?

If they send you a friend request?

While Facebook is fine for casual acquaintances, it’s a little uncomfortable for a casual date or two. So, what if the person you’re maybe, sort of seeing sends you a friend request? Now you feel it would be rude to just ignore it without any kind of explanation as to why yes?

This is dangerous territory, these conversations are difficult to navigate even when they happen at the appropriate time in the relationship, never mind weeks to months early.

You didn’t cause this situation - they did. It is therefore completely OK to ignore their friend request. If you decide, a few dates down the road that you really do like them, you can go ahead and hit the ‘accept’ button. 

Should they ask you why you haven’t accepted sooner you could simply say: “We’re just getting to know each other” or the old “ Oh, have you?”

Friends first – that’s interesting

If you meet someone at a party and hit it off but didn’t exchange contact information then go ahead and find them on Facebook – just be sure to send them a message along with a your friends request, otherwise you could find it going nowhere and they'll turn into another casual acquaintance.

All I'm saying is don't rush to give yourself away by taking this step, keep a little mystery.

One step at a time - join Flirtify today!

   

Would you turn down or cancel a first date because of what you saw on Facebook?

YES NO IT’S COMPLICATED  

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