Wondering just how odd this is

[Jordache]

I found out a few days ago that my brother's gf is pregnant. This isn't a surprise. The surprise is that I found out on Facebook. I get that some generations tend to announce personal things to the world via fb, but I didnt think it was mine. My brother is only 11 months younger than I, so he's still in my generation. While I may announce something to the general public on fb, I would never use it as a means to spread the word to everyone including parents and siblings.
Several weeks ago, my brother and sister actually found out via fb that their grandmother had died. The person who announced it was just a a year younger than I am.
Am I just the oddball out in my generation, or is my brother (or this other person) a generation behind? Would you announce a pregnancy, marriage, death, birth, etc. on facebook to your close family?

 

[BarlyGurl]

sometimes social media is the only method people have to contact someone (changing cell numbers are so common now). sometimes the news maker doesn't want to be engaged in any "drama" the news might incite... social media isn't much different that taking an ad in the newspaper. Sometimes people aren't interested in telling people personally about certain events and a particular fact or issue mentioned on social media is just that...mentioned.

 

[Rock022]

lol Social media can be a great friend or our worst enemies. Busy families and spread out families can benefit from such media. In the other hand everyone that post status constantly can give way too much information. But non the less Congrats soon to be auntie.

 

[Relena7]

Seems more like a breach of etiquette than "odd". I hear about this kind of thing all the time...

It might be nice for people to make big life-changing announcements on facebook only AFTER informing close friends and family by phone or in person. That way the family and friends won't feel like they're being clumped together with all of your random semi-acquaintances and past classmates, etc.
It could wind up hurting some feelings.

 

[Jordache]

But it's my brother, and I haven't change my cell number in 7 years.
Relena: or even a personal message on FB...
Rock022: This is #18! Plus my best friend is do in June, my niece is due with #3 in March, and niece #17 just turned a month old yesterday.

 

[Precious_Sunflower]

I am no fan of fb. I once joined for a short time but ended up very soon deleting my account in there, as I thought too many people are so shallow in there. Many from my old school or other schools would add me as a friend, write me one message as well as how I was doing, what job I had, e.t.c... And then I would reply to them ask a lot of the same, and some of them never replied back to me, or some would reply only one time and then no more....

It is no longer my kinda thing. I prefer keeping in touch in more old fashioned ways; Snail mail post, doing things out in the real world(though I do sometimes spend a lot of time online too), and well, I do text through cellphone as well as communicate in it too...

I just think people can get too serious about fb. My opinion. Also 'cause of what one hears. One example; A person called in at his work that he was sick. Then co workers would check his fb and seeing photos of him at a beach. "Heeeello!" As well as another time that someone said a lot of bad things about his boss through fb, and then the boss found out and fired him. One can wonder why people feel confident sharing things into fb that they don't want their boss or others to knowing anything about, right?

 

[mayende]

yes jordache fb is not a place of sharing famiily matters

 

[mayende]

real you to trust each other

 

[Kefa52]

I found out my brother had a heart condition on FB. ( I see him every weekend.) I just chalk it off to "not So Bright"

 

[Songbird_7]

I think people are out of control with social media. I'm trying to spend a lot less time on FB and online in general. I think it has hurt rather than helped my relationships. Some people put every detail of their lives on FB every five minutes. I get tired of scrolling down through all that stuff. And then my brother announced on FB one night that his wife was cheating on him. You can only imagine the repercussions of that. People say things online that they would never say face to face, and it's easy to misinterpret what someone is saying, too. I think when it comes to announcing pregnancies, births, deaths, etc, people should take the time to call their close family and friends.

 

[BarlyGurl]

>>>>And then my brother announced on FB one night that his wife was cheating on him.<<<<

if that isn't an example of uncovering nakedness... I don't know what is.

 

[Fenner]

It's not something I would do Jordache. I did one time post that my cat had died, a cat I had for a very long time. I forgot that I didn't tell my sister yet, so I called her right away. But I feel funny just throwing news at family in a public forum.

 

[Jordache]

I posted about my dad dying on fb, but not until I had spoken with all my siblings. FB can be useful, but it requires social skills and etiquette. Unfortunately too many fb obsessors have neither.

 

[Christianrkchk89]

I learned via Facebook that my sister gave birth to her first boy. I was SO FURIOUS and hurt that no one (including my dad) had the decency to call me and tell me the good news. I understand I'm 5ish states away but I'd still like to be told vital information like this on means other than social media. I do post important stuff like this on Facebook but only after I have called or texted the most important members in my life. They should know first!

 

[tdrew777]

Social media does raise a lot of question regarding etiquette - just as "Dear Abby" passes away! Since I have not been in the US much in the last eight years, I have found out MANY things online. Having lived a life that dramatically changes settings every seven years or so, social media has helped me keep in touch with friends from many continents. But when to say what to whom will always be a problem that can not be solved apart from guidance by the Holy Spirit. (Yes, I found Abigail Van Buren's obituary first on Facebook).