With all the social networking sites these days, we’re bombarded with requests to let this or that person join our own netowrk  of “friends”. 

To acknowledge and allow their friend or join request means that they can read all your blog or wall posts, they can see your pictures, they can connect with those you  connect with.  This is a key to your closet.  A pass code to your place in that realm.  You should consider each request carefully.  Like giving people a key to your front door.  Do you really want that person coming and going and reading your post-its?

I started to consider this after reading a blog post that told of the “netiquestte” that seems to imply that to turn down a friend request is rude in some way.

Is it rude to choose not to make friends with your new neighbors because you get an icky vibe?  Or that you saw them screaming at their kids or whatever?

Life is about choices and each choice we make is important in the long run, but always works out in the short run if we use our instincts.  Too often people are inclined to shut out that inner voice, in favor of a solution they think is more logical or better thought out.  The instinct we were given, an inherent human trait, falls by the wayside like last years laptop model.

If you don’t want to be friends with that person, read their stuff and have them read yours….

… just say no.