Facebook and peer pressure

[ultimateownage]

So I have a strong opinion of Facebook, really strong. I think it's a horrid pile of shit and have refused to sign up for it, even though everyone and their bloody dog have a Facebook account.
But recently, when my friends have been arranging to go somewhere, they've been organising it over Facebook and never telling me about it. A prime example would be from several weeks ago we were planning a Halloween get together at TGI Fridays while we were all sitting next to each other. Then one girl in our group says "Can't we just organise it through Facebook? It would be so much easier."
While. We. Were. All. Next. To. Each other.

After halloween, when talking to them they revealed that they had indeed gone to TGI Fridays together, and no one had informed me. They're excuse was that I didn't have Facebook, and apparently they were all crippled and unable to message me through texting, calling, Steam, or MSN of which they all have and use regularly.
Today, I got a text from one of my friends which went like this:

Hey, you do know that we're meeting up to go bowling in ten minutes, right?

Luckily I was already in town, and was already next to the meeting point through sheer luck (Which, I might point out, was not told to me in the text. Apparently that wasn't important information.). When complaining that no one had got in contact with me their excuse was that I should just get Facebook, because that's how everyone else knew about it.

So, I ask you this. Am I just being stubborn by refusing to sign up for Facebook, or are my friends just all complete Facebook obsessed pillocks? And have you ever been the subject of peer pressure from your friends to do something you're really against?

*EDIT* Just to clarify. I haven't just looked at Facebook, seen it's popularity, and gone "Oh, it obviously sucks." I know about it. I've seen it when round my friends house, I checked it out a while ago and didn't like it. Also, 90% of the people I know in real life I hate, if I got Facebook then I'd have one more way for me to be in contact with them, which is one too much. Also, what it does to people's real social life is horrid. South Park actually showed what it did to people fairly well.
Also, my friends have been spending the last few weeks trying to get me to use it, and I've even be called a loser for not having it by some people. Whenever I say I don't have one, someone laughs and no one ever listens to my reasoning. I've also had it used against me for a reason why my opinion 'doesn't count'. My friends seem really desperate to make my opinions officially irrelevant, they ignored me after I said I liked Scott Pilgrim.

 

[Edorf]

I too was like you for a very long time, but then I started on a new school with all new people and realized that I would REALLY fall behind on the socializing etc. if I didnt have facebook, and I must admit... Facebook is a great way of keeping in touch with old friends, and organizing things. Keeping yourself updated in general.

 

[Motiv_]

They really should've just organized it in person. I only have facebook to stay in contact with those out of state and without a phone, as well as keep up with the real life shenanigans of my online friends.

I also don't use text messages. They just feel awkward to me, and the 140 character limit often makes my head throb.

I don't think Facebook is worth signing up for, in fact I do so recall one friend of mine getting banned for the stupidest reason.

He was talking on facebook IM, and was talking to a girl he knew about them "Meeting up for a quick shoot". I should point out that he's a semi professional photographer.

Facebook banned his account, which he never remade because he doesn't like the idea of Facebook being able to read all of your instant messages and personal information.

 

[Artina89]

I haven't signed up for Facebook either, as most of my friends know they can get hold of me through MSN or through texting or calling me. No offense, but your friends seem really inconsiderate. One of my friends has said to me "Facebook is only good if you spend a lot of time on it"

 

[Serenegoose]

I don't use Facebook either, and have found that people seem to depend on it for organising anything. I find this most irritating, because frankly I don't want my old friends to be able to contact me or even know that I still exist.

 

[Giest4life]

Name me even one single human invention that does not have a draw back. Just one. Facebook is no different.

 

[diabla616]

What you don't say was whether you texted any of your friends to ask about their plans for halloween? Not having a Facebook account can leave you out of the loop a little, so it might be time to decide between signing up for one yourself or making the extra effort to ontact your friends to find out what's happening.

 

[Lord Honk]

I don't do well in social affairs, so if my options are "use facebook" and "don't use facebook and not know when those almost-too-stupid-to-exist friends go bowling", well... I don't use facebook.

 

[omega 616]

"I think it's a horrid pile of shit and have refused to sign up for it" so how do you know that?

Give it ago for a week, if it's not your thing never use it again. Simple as that.

 

[Thyunda]

If you're just avoiding Facebook for the sheer principle of not having one, then you're overreacting very strongly. It's not exactly a commitment, so in truth, there's no real reason not to have one. Mine's usually open in another tab while I do everything else, mainly because it's easier to get onto Facebook than it is to get onto MSN. My girlfriend used the internet in her hotel while she was abroad to use Facebook to talk to me. The computer didn't have MSN and it cost too much to phone or text.

 

[Space Spoons]

Sounds to me like you're just being stubborn. As much as you're going to hate to hear this, Facebook is the social medium of choice, and if you don't have one, you're going to continue to be left out. It sucks, but that's the simple truth of it.

 

[Lawnmooer]

I hate Facebook.

I don't use it, as I have a working phone within arms reach of myself most of the day...

I once watched someone on Facebook in a library (He was a friend so didn't mind me watching) and I felt disgusted at the spellings... I asked him was a few "words" were and even he didn't know.

I dislike how it is assumed that everyone has Facebook, in my college I'm the only one without it and even the tests I do are about it...


Yes I've been subject to peer pressure, but my response is usually "F**k off" rather than cave in. True most of the time it is something like "Can I have a can of Relentless/[Alcoholic Beverage] that you have 20 of?" or "Can you buy me [Alcoholic Beverage]/[Drugs] since you look old enough/know people"

P.S. What ever happened to calling people or using MSN? and also why do people complain I'm never on MSN when they are never on at 6AM? (The time I usually go on...)

 

[PrimoThePro]

Snip

Dude... Your friends sound like total dicks. No, you can choose not to use Facebook, just let them know that they should text you when events arise.

 

[AnOriginalConcept]

Facebook is a great way of keeping in touch with old friends, and organizing things. Keeping yourself updated in general.

This summarizes my opinion.

 

[ThePurpleStuff]

Whatever happened to using the human mouth in a real flesh and blood, fresh air location and, oh I don't know, TALKING? Sorry but your friends are just another reason why I don't like facebook and will never use it. Ever. Some of my friends do, but others are like me, they don't care/don't like it.

Why can't we go back to the era where all we had was either normal, first ever telephones and our best friend's backyard for meetings over brownies their mom would make for your group of friends. Technology has consumed our lives and it makes me sick. Forget about the future, the robot takeover already happened with the development of texting, no one talks to anyone in person anymore.

 

[garfoldsomeoneelse]

I wouldn't be surprised if they felt alienated by you and your "too cool for facebook" attitude. It's kinda like having someone sneer at you for taking out your cellphone and ask whatever happened to payphones, y'know? My suggestion is to stop being difficult and get a facebook.

Or, conversely, get new friends.

 

[burningdragoon]

So, I ask you this. Am I just being stubborn by refusing to sign up for Facebook

Yes. This situation is 100% your friends' fault (maybe like 95% since you could have followed up yourself) but you are refusing a (inherently) useful piece of technology.

or are my friends just all complete Facebook obsessed pillocks?

Yes they are. If you plan on organizing something with people and you are all together, then using facebook is silly. And since you don't have facebook they should make sure to inform you of it. Suggesting you sign to make everything easier isn't bad either, as long as they aren't forcing or expecting you to, which they could be.

Facebook is at least a very easy way to set up a reminder for events like that. It's also a nice way to get out information to a lot of people without having to go tell each person individually, or even if you don't really have specific people in mind when you want to share.

 

[Irridium]

I don't use Facebook either. I really don't like it. If someone wants to contact me, there are many other ways to contact me.

Tell your friends all they have to do is call you if they want to do something. Its that easy.

 

[Blemontea]

Im going with the Latter and saying your friends are over OBSESSED with facebook, i would say not to fall into peer pressure and dont get a facebook...but the only reason i got one is because my friends yelled at me to get one.
As for other peer pressures, well my friend keeps trying to get me to go into to kendo and no matter how many times i say no he keeps asking. And now the rest of the club is telling me to join. My parkour friend wants me to join ninjitsu.

 

[AfterAscon]

I really don't understand how people can have issues with Facebook. If managed correctly it can be a great tool and your missing out, especially if all your friends are on it. I've been on it for about 4 years and still only have 37 friends. I only check it every couple of days but never spend more than 15 seonds on it.

Its great for keeping in contact with people, especially if people change their mobile numbers and fail to tell you.