Same thing happens on LinkedIn: link requests from people in other cities (or my current one) who I don’t know and to whom I don’t even have a peripheral connection, like friend of a friend or co-worker. My standard reply to their queries is now, “Your name isn’t ringing a bell. Have we met?” I don’t understand the ones who reply, “I just thought you were someone it would be good to know/link to.” Huh?! A digital “link” to a stranger doesn’t mean you know them and it’s useless unless there’s something shared, e.g. info, links, industry news, interesting tidbits, an online connection built over time, etc., which is kind of the whole premise of Twitter. But Facebook seems too personal for that.

Some people also have different standards for “a friend.” My husband has a habit of referring to people I would only consider an acquaintence as “my guy from back in the day.” He usually refers to this person by some frat-style nickname. “What’s his real name?” I ask. “….Uh…we just always called him growing up.” Then in my book, that person is not a “friend” they are someone with whom you are acquainted, even if it’s been for decades.

My 5 year old also refers to every child with whom she plays for more than 10 minutes as her “best friend.” Again, “What’s her name?” “Uh… what’s your name again?” Ah youth. And acquaintences.