My daughter answered the phone the other day and the person on the line was speaking French to her. At some point in the conversation, she didn’t understand what was said and answered “Quoi?”, which is the equivalent of “What?” Both of my kids are taught that if I say something to them that they either do not hear or understand, the proper response is “What did you say?” Obviously, my daughter’s phone etiquette is still in the developmental stages.

So, I said to her that it’s impolite to say “Quoi?” when you don’t understand something. The polite response is “Pardon?” or “I beg your pardon?” She said okay and started to walk away. Then something clicked and she turned around to ask me “Why is saying ‘quoi’ impolite?” Oddly enough, I didn’t have the slightest clue.

I then told her that although she thinks that I’ve been alive since the beginning of time – the 1980’s according to her – I don’t know why every single rule was invented. I just follow them…which I suggested she do as well if she wanted her life to be a little easier. I’m all for questioning authority, but I guess when it comes to social norms I take them as they come. This may be because I’ve had to a lot of assimilating in my lifetime and going with the flow is facilitates that much more than fighting the establishment.

Have you ever wondered why certain social customs exist? Did you ever find the answer? If so, please share – a curious 8 year-old will be eternally grateful.

We’re the middle children of history…. no purpose or place.  We have no Great War, no Great Depression.  Our great war is a spiritual war.  Our great depression is our lives.~From the movie Fight Club, about Generation X

Lately I’ve been explaining to people only a few years older than me the reason I use social media. Some have said “if you want to keep in touch with friends, why not just send them an e-mail?” Or, “why would you want to put your life online like that?” These are all valid points, but there’s a whole other justification to social media that I think they’re missing. I should first remind you that I’m part of Generation X, but considered a “straddler” because I’m right at the beginning of the Millennial Generation, as well.

Yes, I of course use my social media accounts to promote this blog, but that really isn’t my main reason for having them. I saw a quote once that said  Facebook is for keeping in touch with people who used to be your friends and Twitter is for meeting people who should be your friends. That statement rings 100% true for me. I have come to look at these accounts as a very unique way of communicating with people.

On Facebook, my friends and I post (for the most part) positive things that are going on in our lives. We are very supportive of each other and it always feels nice to hear from them; even if it’s sporadic. On Twitter, I follow a variety of people – some simply because they’re hilarious. From time to time, we engage in discussions about current events which takes some talent to do in 140 characters or fewer per post. Twitter is where I’ve found other bloggers and expats from whom I’ve learned a great deal and it also provides me with real-time news snippets.

So, the type of relationships that I maintain through my social media accounts is recently created and I have yet to find a suitable label for it. Obviously, I don’t see the people in my networks on a regular basis nor will be going to visit any time soon. Whether or not they fall into any traditional categories of what a “friendship” should be, I’m very glad that technology has created a way for us to remain in each other’s lives.

How do you view social media in terms of relationships?