New here? Register in under one minute   Already a member? Login244974 questions, 1084345 answers  

  DearCupid.ORG relationship advice
  Got a relationship, dating, love or sex question? Ask for help!Search
 New Questions Answers . Most Discussed Viewed . Unanswered . Followups . Forums . Top agony aunts . About Us .  Articles  . Sitemap

Is there a tactful way to ask someone to back off on Facebook?

Tagged as: Friends, Troubled relationships<< Previous question   Next question >>
Question - (15 December 2013) 8 Answers - (Newest, 19 December 2013)
A female Ireland age 30-35, anonymous writes:

Hi everyone,

I need a little help here... So I have this friend... he has told me he's been interested in me, but I have absolutely no interest in him whatsoever. I've made this clear to him, and he seems to be just fine with that. However, I've been having a problem with him continually spamming my wall. I feel bad that I'm reacting negatively to this, because most of the messages are really sweet and good natured. I'm just getting really irratated, because this obviously pushes down anything I post and might want others to see. The other problem is, I am currently interested in someone, and to an outsider (most importantly the guy I like), this excess of messages might look like he's being territorial or something...

The other thing is, he likes and comments on absolutely everything I post, often "hijacking" the conversation and taking it totally off topic before anyone else can say anything.

The most challenging part of this is that he is socially impaired, so his behaviour is not coming from a ill-intentioned place.

He is my friend and I don't want to hurt his feelings, how do you think is the best way to approach the situation with him?

Thanks for any input. :)

View related questions: facebook

<-- Rate this Question

Reply to this Question


Share

Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question!

A female reader, Daisy_Daisy United Kingdom +, writes (19 December 2013):

Daisy_Daisy agony auntDon't feel awful. You did the right thing, and hopefully when he's stopped being upset he will have learned something. He is not your responsbility, don't beat yourself up. He must have family who can help to steer him in the right direction, and presumably they are aware of his social impairment. It's nice of you to care about him, but don't worry excessively.

<-- Rate this answer

A reader, anonymous, writes (19 December 2013):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

So I had a talk with him... I explained the situation with him as gently as possible, but he did not take it well. I feel awful, but I couldn't go on allowing him to make such inappropriate posts on my wall. I hope he will get over it in time... The fact that he would break down over a gentle push towards socially acceptable relations tells me he has problems beyond what I can help with.

Thanks for the responses. :)

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, So_Very_Confused United States +, writes (16 December 2013):

So_Very_Confused agony auntOP what you have to learn is HIS pain is not YOUR problem.

YOU can't live your life worrying about hurting others who are hurting you with their behavior.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, Daisy_Daisy United Kingdom +, writes (16 December 2013):

Daisy_Daisy agony auntYou could have a general talk about what is and isn't socially acceptable, and then bring up the FB stuff. If he doesn't know what is inappropriate, someone (unfortunately you by the sounds of it) needs to gently steer him in the right direction.

You could remove inappropriate comments or posts and explain why you've done it.

Good luck x

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, YouWish United States +, writes (15 December 2013):

YouWish agony auntYep, you can put your settings to block this new guy who's interested in you from seeing your other friend's posts. Easy as pie.

Or, you can have the talk. You can't get around it if you don't want to go the block route. You could be doing him a favor too if he's socially awkward. Some people are just naturally oblivious, but are smart enough to take direction.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A reader, anonymous, writes (15 December 2013):

This is verified as being by the original poster of the question

Thanks for the responses.

I think my question is being misunderstood slightly... I have hid my posts from him, which has helped.

I am well aware that I need to tell him to stop. The thing is, I think save for one or two others, I may be his only friend in the world. So I'm asking what you think is the best way to go about this is, without totally crushing the poor guy.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, Honeypie United States + , writes (15 December 2013):

Honeypie agony auntThe thing is because you DO NOT tell him to stop, and that's enough he won't stop. Or learn.

You can go the "hide his feed" or block him from posting, but IF he is a friend why can't you tell him? Hey, buddy you are going overboard on MY Facebook, please stop or I will have to de-friend or block you.

What are friends for? If he is socially impaired FIND a nicer way then I worded it and TEACH him what is appropriate.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

A female reader, So_Very_Confused United States +, writes (15 December 2013):

So_Very_Confused agony auntyou can set it up so you can't see his posts on your wall or in your news feed... and that he can't post to it.

he won't even have to know he'll just wonder why you never say stuff to him any more.

<-- Rate this answer

...............................   

Add your answer to the question "Is there a tactful way to ask someone to back off on Facebook?"

Already have an account? Login first
Don't have an account? Register in under one minute and get your own agony aunt column - recommended!

All Content Copyright (C) DearCupid.ORG 2004-2008 - we actively monitor for copyright theft

0.0468741000004229!