Tweeting without Twitter
I never thought in a million years I'd say this, but I use Twitter. Daily. Sometimes hourly.
After several years of saying how stupid the social networking site seemed to me, I'm now a tweeter. Which is kind of like a tweaker, as it is rather addictive, but it costs far less. In fact, being on Twitter pays me -- in the form of new followers and friends. Some of you reading this may have even followed me here from Twitter. (Welcome, SITSGirls!)
Anyway, so I tweet. No big deal.
Apparently it is a big deal to my daughters, though. A laughable big deal.
My daughters don't tweet; they think it's silly (like mother, like daughter, I suppose). They text, they're on Facebook, one even has a blog. But "I'd never tweet on Twitter!" is pretty much the common refrain from all three, incredulous that their mother -- a grandma, even, and someone they thought was intelligent ... on most days -- would actually participate in such drivel.
Funny thing is, my daughters do tweet. All the cussing time! Just not on Twitter. They send me little chirps and shoutouts via 140-character-or-less texts and 140-word-or-less phone calls and voicemails all day long. Which, in my opinion, puts them firmly in the "tweet" category.
The girls call or text to tweet about their trip home from work, the weather, what temperature you preheat the oven to for banana bread and on, and on, and on.
Don't get me wrong; I love their pseudo-tweeting. I truly do. I love that my daughters are comfortable calling and texting any time, any day, any night, for any reason whatsoever, however inane that reason may be.
Here is a small sampling of the pseudo-tweets I've received from my daughters just in the last two days:
"I finally feel like I have friends again!"
"What do I do if the power goes out?"
"Have you accessed my bank account for any reason?"
"Yay! I signed a lease!"
"I've never hated a job as much as I hate this one."
See what I mean? Those are tweet-worthy texts and telephone calls. More like Twitter direct messages, but Twitter talk just the same.
The one serious difference between tweets from my girls and tweets from my Twitter pals? No matter how often they tweet, no matter how often they bug the cuss out of me with the chirping, I can't unfollow the girls. There's definitely no "unfollow" button when it comes to my lovely offspring. And in all honesty, I don't want there to be. (Some folks on Twitter? Well, that's a different story. And I do use the unfollow button.)
Oh, and another big difference: Retweeting certain tweets from the girls is bad. Very, very bad. And may result in a total lockout of the service.
Which means this post will likely get me a big 'ol #mymomdoesntknowwhentokeephermouthshut mention.
If only the girls knew what that means.
And how to do it.
But they don't.
Because they're not on Twitter.
Ha!
Today's question:
Do you find it easier to form new friendships online or in real life? Why?
Friday, July 23, 2010
Reader Comments (10)
This does count as tweeting even if they won't admit it! That's so funny that you posted their pseudi-tweets though - you should make a feature of it!
I'm not necessarily opposed to tweeting. I just don't get it. Or how it applies to me. You're so cutting edge!
Actual friendships are made much easier for me in person. But I've met a LOT of wonderful people (and dogs and cats) through my blog. And their kindness and generosity towards each other - even though they've never met in "pawson" - never ceases to amaze me.
Like Amber, I don't know anything about "Tweeting" and I don't have a blog but I do enjoy reading those of all you modern girls. Observing the interactions of all of you is pleasant for me.
Guess "real world" face to face conversation is all that I'm capable of so it's best for me.
Stopping by from SITS 31DBBB challenge! GReat blog... I'm with you - I was pretty anti Twitter. I still don't really utilize it like I should. I tweet out my blog posts and that is about it. I don't really like reading some of the stuff people tweet - sometimes it is TMI! Anyway, great blog....good luck with the challenge!
@Jade: Thank you for stopping by! If I made the girls' pseudo tweets a feature they'd for sure (not pseudo) kill me! I appreciate the comment. Visit any time!
@Amber: Actually, I think you would enjoy Twitter probably more than the average bear. I actually considered sending you a Twitter invite last night but figured I'd just e-mail you directly. That e-mail's to come. Beware ... and be ready to tweet!
@Ann: I like that I can help provide a little pleasant diversion to your day! And for you, I think Twitter would make you absolutely nuts, so we won't go there together.
@Sara R: I appreciate the visit. I agree on the TMI. Making a list helps me weed out those that are TMI prone or complain too much ... or tweet too much (I think we all need a life offline, not just in front of the computer, so those nonstop tweeters worry me a bit). Thank you for stopping by!
I tweet but mostly just my blog posts and Etsy listings. I haven't really jumped into it like so many people have. I have found it very easy and rewarding to make friends online. When you're reading blogs, you sometimes get some personal snippets of information that you can relate to and that forms a bond that continues to grow through blogging. For me it takes longer in person to become friends because you don't get so personal right away with a stranger.
Great question, Lisa!!!
I'm surprised your daughters aren't on Twitter. I have no basis for this, but I thought it was cool with the younger generation. Apparently not. Heh.
I feel so out of date because I haven't tried Twitter yet. Honestly, I was worried about keeping up with the 31dbbb challenge without Twitter and Facebook, but it seems to be working out okay so far.
Hahaaa...Well, that IS Tweeting! I also Tweet on Twitter and I Love it! Mostly political though. I also have FaceBook but It's not as much fun as Twitter.
Friends? Well, I work all day at our plumbing business so it's easier to have good friends online...Not much time after work to get together with friends, stay up late then get up at 4:30am and start all over again. And I blog...
Fun post!
Happy weekend to you!
hughugs
Love your Post! :) I agree a text is just like a tweet!
About your question: Lately it has been easier for me to make friends online. Not sure why that is? I guess I am more open to talk to new people online than I am face to face. I have a problem with my confidence when approaching people I don't know. and online I am able to be myself and not feel like someone is judging me?! I don't know. I think I just have more in common with the people I have been meeting online lately.
Thank you for stopping by Peek at My Paper and linking-up.
It is nice to meet you!
:)
Have a great weekend!
brenda
@Annette: I'm with you on the "easier online" and for the same reasons.
@Mrs.Mayhem: Nice to see you here. Yes, it is weird my girls aren't on Twitter. I think it *is* cool with the younger generation, but my girls are just hold-outs at this point. I bet they get on there soon -- and become addicted! I'm glad you're doing well with the challenge even without Twitter and FB (I never look at the FB one, to be honest).
@Donna: Online *is* so much easier for busy people. It allows you to catch up when you have time, even if it's in the middle of the night. I'll have to look for you on Twitter. Thanks for stopping by!
@Brenda: I have more in common with those I meet online, too, I think. It's probably because we visit sites we like that touch on things we enjoy, so there's a natural attraction to that person from the get-go, rather than having to wade through lots of small talk to see if we "fit" as friends. Thank you so much for visiting. Hope to see you again!