Do you greet people you don't personally know when it's their birthday?
By sharksfin
@sharksfin (1091)
Philippines
October 24, 2012 2:06am CST
In this age of technology and cyber world, we get to be linked to people we don't really know. They could be friends of friends, someone who just invited you to be connected ...lotsa possible ways to know more people. Like, I have been active in this popular social networking site and I have pretty a number of friends in my list. Most I don't personally know. I used to keep my profile private and shared only with closest friends, family and relatives but, eventually, I opened it to public for a reasonable reason. And, well, there's always alert who's gonna celebrate birthdays and I see to it to greet each one. Most of them replied back and thanked me. Some even expressed how they appreciate so much my gesture. Am just wondering if it's the same with ...if not everyone...at least a pretty number here. Would you exert effort leaving a birthday message to a stranger?
2 people like this
15 responses
@GemmaR (8517)
•
24 Oct 12
I think that this is something that a lot of people do on social networking websites, and I don't think that there is anything wrong with it in the slightest. I always think that it is nice when people take the time to wish you a happy birthday, and if they don't know you then surely this makes it even nicer because they actually have no reason that they should want to say this to you. I will always say it to strangers if I see it anywhere, because it only takes a moment to type, but might mean an awful lot to them.
@riempie9 (1021)
• South Africa
8 Nov 12
Forget to add that I am 65 but have not had 65 birthday parties. As a child it meant something to me and my grandkids... and I enjoy the parties my daughter takes my grand kids to and sometimes travel all the way from Cape Town to be with them over Christmas... we do it for the kids... also celebrate xmas even though we are Muslim. The kids love it! They appear in some of my articles. Can one post images on these posts?
@subhojit10 (7375)
• India
24 Oct 12
Thanks a ton for sharing this discussion. Well i have never been apprehensive whenever it comes to greeting a person on his birthday even if he is a stranger for me for I feel that with our sweet wishes on his birthday, he will be deilighted and grateful to us for wishing him on his birthday. No doubt we are not friends with him but at least from the humanity point of view we can greet him and make his day.
What say?
@sharksfin (1091)
• Philippines
24 Oct 12
I think the same way. I believe that every person yearns to receive wonderful greeting even from a stranger. They want to feel good especially on their special day. A greeting won't hurt, anyway. Thanks for your comment, subhojit10.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
25 Oct 12
Sometimes I do. I don't always have time for social networking so I don't always post birthday messages for people I don't know. Saying happy birthday to someone over social media isn't any different than being out in public somewhere and encountering a person and learning it is their birthday. You would't just stand there not saying anything because that would be rude.
@riempie9 (1021)
• South Africa
8 Nov 12
I would definite greet and wish a stranger happy birthday; it is just being courteous and recognizing the person. When you are talking to your boss and his friends are with do you not greet everyone? It is just common etiquette to do so. Greeting people when you see them is just a polite thing to do.
@watchamacallitz (1171)
• Philippines
1 Nov 12
No, I have lots of friends especially in some social networking sites where Im registered at and most of them, i know them personally. Now, in some instance, where i have a "friend' that i dont know personally, and it's their birthday, it's a no. i dont greet them.
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
24 Oct 12
That would be a bit awkward for me, to receive and to give birthday greetings if I don't know the person or didn't even have a single thing to do with him or her. I mean I have people on my Facebook whom I don't know personally but I have interacted in some way, like the ones I met in a seminar, the ones I used to coordinate with on certain projects, that sort of thing. Even if it's just a minimal interaction, as long as we have something in the past, then for me I think it is okay to greet that person.
@sharksfin (1091)
• Philippines
24 Oct 12
Thanks for your insight, Raine38. ^_^ Appreciate it. Well, I guess since they're the ones who invited me (as I don't really invite people), they shouldn't feel awkward if they receive a greeting from me time and again. Esp if it's their birthday since being in their list I am also alerted when it's their day. This is for me. Why would they invite me, in the first place, if receiving greeting (not curse) is something they mind? But, of course, if the msg is like, "hey have you had lunch?", I think that's really weird. I receive a lotta that!
@anklesmash (1412)
•
24 Oct 12
It depends on how I came into contact with the person.I probably wouldn't send someone I didn't know a birthday message on a social networking site.I find it quite weird messaging someone you don't know on Facebook.Thats why all the people I have as friends on Facebook are actually friends in real life.Though if I actually met the person with my friend I would definitely wish them a happy birthday as it is the polite thing to do.Talking about birthdays it is my flat mates birthday today.We had a whip round and bought him a present and we are having a party later.But I don't know if anyone he doesn't know wished him a happy birthday.
@jaiho2009 (39142)
• Philippines
24 Oct 12
No, I don't greet people whom I don't know personally.
I am not comfortable with the thought.
That is one reason why I do not accept friends request on social sites if I don't know the person personally.
@rafiholmes (2896)
• Malaysia
24 Oct 12
yeah..i usually do that on Facebook..i dont really personally know some of them..but i still do wish them happy birthday..
@mikyung (2232)
• Philippines
24 Oct 12
I would greet a stranger "happy birthday". Just like striking a smile or just saying a a simple "hi". I know that we need to be warm to people. It is how we present ourselves that makes a good impression to others. Who knows, that could help us one way or the other. Anyways, need to have some reservation though. Thanks
@mariaperalta (19073)
• Mexico
24 Oct 12
I do, as I feel birthdays and xmas day are the best days of the year. Sure our to me.
@JinBinLai (52)
• China
24 Oct 12
I don't greet strangers for their birthdays, I actually haven't much time to remember these and I even forgot some good friends' birthdays.
@divyadubey83 (3)
•
24 Oct 12
I dont add unknown people in networking sites but yes if any of my friend or family member introduce me to their friends and who are having birthday I wish them just to make them happy :)
@SIMPLYD (90722)
• Philippines
24 Oct 12
As for me, i don't like to greet people on facebook , just because they are the friend of my friend in Facebook.
I only greet those in my circle of friends. That way, i don't feel awkward greeting a stranger.
However, in your case where you opened your FB for the public, you can greet anyone whom your friend knows, maybe because you are in a networking business and that's how to get clients. That's understandable.
