Gulf News published an interesting article about the golden rules for online social networking, these rules were compiled by Debrett’s following a survey conducted by Orange, Debrett’s is a British publisher offering advice on international etiquette, manners, good taste, style and sophistication.
This survey revealed that 66% of social networkers are frustrated and confused by online etiquette, while 25% are uncertain about how to respond to unwelcome pokes or messages.
The golden rules compiled by Debrett’s with Orange are:
1. You don’t have to make friends with people you don’t know. Think before you poke.
2. Wait 24 hours before accepting or removing someone as a friend. The delay will help you gather your thoughts.
3. Birthdays, engagements and weddings are not “virtual” events. Always send cards or phone friends when there is an important event.
4. Think before posting a friend’s photo what you would feel like if it was you.
5. Think carefully about your profile picture. Would you want it to be appearing in your local newspaper?
I would like to add few more rules, compiled by jazarah! 
1. Don’t add me unless you really found me interesting enough to be friend with, this is similar to Debrett’s first one, but I really want to highlight it as many people added me to their facebook then removed me, then re-added me, some of those people I don’t even know, so I guess you should make up your mind.
2. Don’t suggest friends.
3. Don’t invite me to every stupid application you use, I don’t want to be your pet, I don’t want to join your mafia war, I don’t want to be a vampire, I’m begging you, stop it.
4. Enough with creating all these pointless groups, since it’s free to do so it doesn’t mean that you can keep creating and inviting people to join more groups about silly things like oh my baby started walking or vote the best smile on facebook.
5. Check before you create an event or a group, some people might done it already, so it’s better to invite people to one entry instead of having five groups for the same issue.
6. Enough poking and let’s just have sex already.
7. Easy on the funwall and the superwall, it’s nice of you to send me cool stuff but don’t over use it.
I can totally relate. Some girl got mad once because I asked her if I knew her before adding her. Also, I agree on your point #6!!
mab3oos, some girl removed me from her facebook because I don’t send stuff to her using the funwall, cause she was active and I’m not she thought that I don’t worth being friend with.
cant ague with that…I used to add every one I poked by then remove it right away…anyway, I really dont get Facebooker girls think they are popular and shoulf be know to every one they poke…Samer thank god I’m an active who post dull things on “THE” Funwall..great survey thank you
welcome TripleM
I actually have some comment regarding your rules:
1. I usually add ppl who I know in “real life” or who I share some interests with.
2. “Don’t suggest friends”.. why, that actually helped me get started when I first opened my facebook account..
3. couldn’t agree more.. I actually blocked more applications then I can remember.. and removed some ppl for sending too many requests then a man with a demanding job can handle!
4. hmmm.. I actually find some of then funny even though being pointless.. after all, facebook isn’t a business portal..
5. 100% agree; I once searched “free palestine” in the groups, and got hundreds and hundreds of group with the identical name and goals! it also happens with events also.. not that often though
6. hehehe.. I actually don’t know what the hill poking is there for
7. why man.. actually this is what I love about facebook the most, the funny videos and pics.. don’t listen to him ppl, keep those videos coming
Hehe I agree!
Speaking of funwall/superwall check this http://jordanian-observations.blogspot.com/2008/06/funwallsuperwall-stupidity.html
Yes, I am shamelessly advertising myself!
of course you know that third party applications on facebook are not safe at all and if someone chose the highest level of privacy,if he/she had a funwall,superwall,played poker,boozemail..their applications can be viewed..easily..coz they are savd on the server of the applicaton ,even if u remove the funwall..it can still be seen and people can still send you and when u add it again u will find hundreds of stupid same old youtube stuff on ur funwall..i keep few applications..but then again..i am mala2e6 w bass ..already anonymous
so stick to facebook applications..not like a relative of mine with 230 applications…ya lateef..rule # 1
rule # 2 : if someone had you on a limited profile..remove them..bil na2es (unless you were the one who started this limited profile war)
rule#3 :il poke bedoon sabab 2ellet adab..:D ..send a msg..
rule #4 manage what to be shown on your mini feed and news feed..mish kol ma ..2olt hi la 7ada lazem il kol yshoof
rule #5 dont share too much info on these networks(school college,phone numbers email etc..,if you have family and friends then they already know you,if you have strangers then they dont need to know this much about you..
facebook has now what is called clone accounts..people save your photos and duplicate your account and start msging your friends..and some stupid family members and friends dont check ..and this happened before my eyes..
rule # 5 dont use the same email that you display on facebook for signing in.
i have lots more but i dont want to bore you
I usually follow all of what you posted Samer
Ghassan, it’s that we agreed on few points
Farah, I wish that everyone on facebook reads your post
Mala2e6, nice rules
Moey welcome welcome
i limit profile ppl that i dont feel should see certain such as family members totally disagree if they limit profile me its for a good reason, or none of my buisiness