Since I started online there has always been one question that I have heard many answers to and I just wanted to share my thoughts on this subject – do you accept friend invites from strangers?

First, I want to give you some definitions ……
Friend – a person you know well and regard with affection and trust.
Stranger – an individual that one is not acquainted with
Acquaintance – a relationship less intimate than friendship

Now there is a difference – the same principles that you use offline is the same as you do online. Keep in mind that you can have thousands of acquaintances, and many can be strangers until you break the barrier down and learn to communicate. You will find that some will continue to be acquaintances but you may be missing the opportunity to find a great online friend.

Just as with offline friends (fellow classmates, members of clubs you are in etc.) even tho you have some things in common and see each other occasionally – they are your acquaintances. You also have offline friends (close girlfriend, dancing partner, gardening buddy, etc.) the ones that you call when you need to talk, laugh, or even cry – you know the ones I’m talking about – those are friends.

Well online, you can have the same thing and with the technology of today it’s even easier than ever. People often ask me how I can accept all these request from strangers – well a stranger is only a stranger if you continue to let them be. Just a simple hi and I’m from Wisconsin, am a grandma, love gardening and line dancing – will usually break the ice when sending a stranger a friend request.

Over the years, I have been so blessed with all the acquaintances and friends that I have made online and are there any strangers out there – my answer is no – I just have not met them all yet.

So like I said, just my opinion – I do love meeting new people, chatting with them and seeing what we have in common and it might be as simple as we both like playing Farmville on Facebook, playing pool on Pogo, or we both love chatting about flowers, grandkids, our pets, online and offline businesses, etc. – You will never know the opportunity that you may be missing if you don’t break the barrier with a HI.

Many also ask me – how do you keep up with all your friends and chat – believe me you can – no different than getting a phone call from a friend you haven’t seen for awhile – catch up with each other, leave IM for each other on skype (that’s my favorite), sending emails, jokes, recipes, etc. – it can be done. The best part I have discovered is that you never know when just a smiley will make someones day – it’s not how long the message is sometimes – it’s just knowing that you were thought about.

So, don’t be shy – stop and say hi and make some online friends – you might just be surprised all the people that you have something in common with.