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Poll: Would you add a client as a friend on Facebook?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
Jun 13, 2011

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you add a client as a friend on Facebook?".

This poll was originally submitted by Kasia E. Slobodzian. View the poll results »



 
Mary Worby
Mary Worby  Identity Verified
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:07
German to English
+ ...
Yes, but ... Jun 13, 2011

I have a couple of clients who are friends on Facebook. But mostly they are PMs who have left the company they originally worked for, so it is a way to keep in touch with people I have had a good working relationship with. I wouldn't add them all. Nor would I accept requests from them all.

 
neilmac
neilmac
Spain
Local time: 07:07
Spanish to English
+ ...
Yes, if they are actual friends Jun 13, 2011

I find it best to keep business and pleasure separate, as a rule, but I do have a relationship verging on friendship with several clients. However, I think only one of them is on a fbk friend list and we never actually communicate that way.

I do find it interesting how so many people so far do not have a facebook account, which makes me I wonder how much of this is due to scaremongering and shock stories about identity theft, stalking, bullying... etc. I have a few friends who ar
... See more
I find it best to keep business and pleasure separate, as a rule, but I do have a relationship verging on friendship with several clients. However, I think only one of them is on a fbk friend list and we never actually communicate that way.

I do find it interesting how so many people so far do not have a facebook account, which makes me I wonder how much of this is due to scaremongering and shock stories about identity theft, stalking, bullying... etc. I have a few friends who are quite averse to even considering using it.

On the plus side, I find it a useful way to keep up with what friends and family are doing without having to spend time really socialising with them, and probably communicate quite a bit more with my daughter, who lives 2000 miles away, than we would if we lived under the same roof!
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Steven Capsuto
Steven Capsuto  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 02:07
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
+ ...
No Facebook Jun 13, 2011

neilmac wrote:
I do find it interesting how so many people so far do not have a facebook account, which makes me I wonder how much of this is due to scaremongering and shock stories about identity theft, stalking, bullying... etc. I have a few friends who are quite averse to even considering using it.


In my case it's due to personal experience with FB's privacy settings, which change with the wind. Things they promised you could lock down suddenly become visible with no warning because FB decides to change its policies and decides that they know what should and shouldn't be public information.

As a general rule, I don't deal with companies that treat their users or clients with such contempt. A relationship with a company should be one of mutual trust and respect. I canceled my account last year after FB kept pulling the same crap over and over, and I don't plan to go back.


 
John Cutler
John Cutler  Identity Verified
Spain
Local time: 07:07
Spanish to English
+ ...
In my case, yes Jun 13, 2011

I probably would since my Facebook page is more of a potential business/hobby type page.

It has very little personal info and is really more like a blog than the typical, "Please be my friend even though we haven't seen each other in 30 years" kind of page.

My Facebook page is mostly in Catalan, although there is some info in Spanish or English. It's open to everyone and is aimed at people who are interested in <
... See more
I probably would since my Facebook page is more of a potential business/hobby type page.

It has very little personal info and is really more like a blog than the typical, "Please be my friend even though we haven't seen each other in 30 years" kind of page.

My Facebook page is mostly in Catalan, although there is some info in Spanish or English. It's open to everyone and is aimed at people who are interested in balcony gardening and growing organic vegetables.

In that regard, I'd accept anyone as a friend who is interested in the subject.

If you want to take a look, here it is:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002490992293&sk=wall
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apk12
apk12  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 07:07
English to German
+ ...
Not on facebook Jun 13, 2011

There are several reasons why I prefer an other alternative regarding "networking". Facebook does not seam suitable for business related networking, at least in my eyes. And since I actually neither can nor want to spend my whole days on networking (prefer to work, actually), I decided to choose carefully one option out of several. It was not facebook.

Regarding the 2nd part of the question (adding or not) - well, it's... always a careful decision. Some clients, yes. Some. When the
... See more
There are several reasons why I prefer an other alternative regarding "networking". Facebook does not seam suitable for business related networking, at least in my eyes. And since I actually neither can nor want to spend my whole days on networking (prefer to work, actually), I decided to choose carefully one option out of several. It was not facebook.

Regarding the 2nd part of the question (adding or not) - well, it's... always a careful decision. Some clients, yes. Some. When there is a really working business relationship, when this cooperation is indeed ... worth an adding to the network on both sides, then yes. But, as mentioned, not on Facebook. Several reasons. Privacy settings are one of them, as others have already mentioned, unsolicited advertisement an other, the whole business with "1000 likes for a few bucks in a few minutes!" simply - does not attract or convince me and finally - you see that this page is done by a bit too young people. "Friends" are Friends. The network I have chosen has a different terminology, fitting a bit better to what I am used to. Facebook may be good to keep contact with - "Friends". (Or with "1000 'likes' in a few minutes! Cheap! We cann do itt!")

(just a btw tip, I liked it. Indeed 1000 times liked! -> "Willkommen bei Facebook" - Filmtip. German language, but... the message may communicate also for those who do not speak German)

And Mark Zuckerberg's quotation was also not really... convincing for me. It actually somehow reminds me of recently seen similar voices somewhere in this forum. About "old, dusty" habits that we're supposed to admit to be gone. Not sure. For me not. Old, dusty habits like human language, sceptisim regarding usage of tractors for picking orchids - or, like in the taz article linked here, regarding privacy.




[Edited at 2011-06-13 12:20 GMT]
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Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 07:07
Member (2009)
English to German
+ ...
No, because... Jun 13, 2011

I'm not on Facebook, though I believe to have created an account there several years ago. After some disputes over Fb's privacy policies never went back. And now the email address I used back then no longer exists and the password is lost in oblivion.

To be on friendship terms with a client can be done more effectively and less exposed via other channels.


 
Amy Duncan (X)
Amy Duncan (X)  Identity Verified
Brazil
Local time: 03:07
Portuguese to English
+ ...
Yes Jun 13, 2011

Yes, and I have already added several, since I have friendly relationships with my clients.

 
Hilary Davies Shelby
Hilary Davies Shelby
United States
Local time: 01:07
German to English
+ ...
No Jun 13, 2011

I DO have a FB account, but it's for keeping in touch with friends and family around the world. Clients don't need to see restaurants I went to, silly party pics and birthday greetings from Auntie Mabel. I have considered making a separate FB account for business contacts and information - I may still do that.

 
Kemal Mustajbegovic
Kemal Mustajbegovic  Identity Verified
Local time: 14:07
English to Croatian
+ ...
I'm with Hilary Jun 13, 2011

Spot on. I consider FB as a private (virtual) lounge for family and close friends. I never mix business and family/friends.

 
lidija68
lidija68  Identity Verified
Italy
Local time: 07:07
Italian to Serbian
+ ...
Willkommen bei Facebook Jun 13, 2011

apk12 wrote:
(just a btw tip, I liked it. Indeed 1000 times liked! -> "Willkommen bei Facebook" - Filmtip. German language, but... the message may communicate also for those who do not speak German)




That video reminds me why I don't have Facebook account.


- english is not my working language-


 
Cristina Heraud-van Tol
Cristina Heraud-van Tol  Identity Verified
Peru
Local time: 01:07
Member (2005)
English to Spanish
+ ...
I don't use Facebook Jun 13, 2011

Steven Capsuto wrote:

neilmac wrote:
I do find it interesting how so many people so far do not have a facebook account, which makes me I wonder how much of this is due to scaremongering and shock stories about identity theft, stalking, bullying... etc. I have a few friends who are quite averse to even considering using it.


In my case it's due to personal experience with FB's privacy settings, which change with the wind. Things they promised you could lock down suddenly become visible with no warning because FB decides to change its policies and decides that they know what should and shouldn't be public information.

As a general rule, I don't deal with companies that treat their users or clients with such contempt. A relationship with a company should be one of mutual trust and respect. I canceled my account last year after FB kept pulling the same crap over and over, and I don't plan to go back.



Exactly how I feel! I don't have an account because of three reasons:

1) I don't want to have an account (completely skeptic about this thing)
2) I don't need it (I already have a postal address, phone, e-mail account, MSN and Skype)
3) I don't have the time (to read stupid comments and play silly games)

And it's really surprising and comforting -phew!- to see that more than one third of participants here don't have an account. People here tell me, "What???? You don't have a Facebook account??" They believe I am crazy. Now I can tell that there are plenty of very nice, smart and professional people in the world that don't.


[Edited at 2011-06-13 14:50 GMT]


 
Patricia Charnet
Patricia Charnet
United Kingdom
Local time: 06:07
Member (2009)
English to French
yes Jun 13, 2011

it only builds up trust with the client - anyway I'm always open to new friendships, and have found it beneficial to have clients as friends. As long as you can remain professional on the work front, adding clients is not problem as long as your facebook page is also of good standing. You can differentiate both. I've had clients inviting me to their Xmas parties, and even diners I've even had clients offering to sponsor me for so... See more
it only builds up trust with the client - anyway I'm always open to new friendships, and have found it beneficial to have clients as friends. As long as you can remain professional on the work front, adding clients is not problem as long as your facebook page is also of good standing. You can differentiate both. I've had clients inviting me to their Xmas parties, and even diners I've even had clients offering to sponsor me for some sport dos

FB is only a marketing tool anyway
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Eser Perkins
Eser Perkins  Identity Verified
Türkiye
Local time: 09:07
English to Turkish
+ ...
SITE LOCALIZER
I don't own a FB account Jun 13, 2011

Cristina Heraud-van Tol wrote:

And it's really surprising and comforting -phew!- to see that more than one third of participants here don't have an account. People here tell me, "What???? You don't have a Facebook account??" They believe I am crazy. Now I can tell that there are plenty of very nice, smart and professional people in the world that don't.


[Edited at 2011-06-13 14:50 GMT]


I, too, was very happy to see that I am not the only oddball here who does not have a FB account. People around me (even my immediate family) can't believe that I don't have one. And for years, my sisters still ask me to add them to my friends, and I am tired of telling them that I don't own one. They look at me as if I am a two-headed calf. I owned one (peer pressure, mind you) about 5 years ago for a year until I was stalked to death by a woman from Egypt who kept sending me messages with threats and accusations and even going so far as to add my family members to her friends list (she was not even one of my friends. She sent me a friend invitation that I never accepted. But since I checked her profile to see who she was, I gave her the right to send me more messages. And at the time, you couldn't hide your friends list even if your profile was private). I had to report her to FB with a very to-the-point attitude. Finally they suspended her account. And I deleted (not froze, deleted) my account immediately afterwards. And Facebook still sends me friend invitations to join FB from people I know to my email address that I had used to create that account. I simply can't believe that they can do this. Absolutely irritating and unnerving. I had to cease using that email address and may have to delete it eventually. So, in a nutshell, as far as I am concerned, Facebook is one of those realms in the web that I wouldn't want to get anywhere near, let alone having an account, adding family, friends, and clients. Never.


 
Daphne Consigliere, R.N.
Daphne Consigliere, R.N.  Identity Verified
Local time: 01:07
English to Spanish
+ ...
if actual friends Jun 13, 2011

"yes, if they are actual friends" ... this about narrows it down.

 
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Poll: Would you add a client as a friend on Facebook?






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