Social media goes ASKew

For most of us, logging in and ‘doing your thing’ translates to a quick stroll through the homepage and running a close eye through new updates. For another handful, the platform serves as a stellar go-to — in terms of procuring contacts, and establishing virtual supremacy. But, in the pursuit of getting what you want — has staying connected to the right people at the right time gone a tad too far? When does one distinguish between a genuine favour and a ridiculous demand? We explore...

“I’ve had people indirectly requesting others to pay their office rent, pet’s medicines and their maid’s salaries through tongue-in-cheek statuses. Someone recently created a page to get sponsored for a driver’s uniform too! I personally feel it’s unnecessary and a sign of complete negligence of social media etiquette,” begins Dr Karan M Pai, a city-based clinical psychologist. Vouching by how requests made in bad taste is a sure-fire way to get unfriended; Astha Pawar, a marketing professional adds, “It is good to ask for help. But, I have seen people asking help for poor house help with medical needs, and that is generous. But wanting people to contribute for things that you take complete ownership of is plain weird.” For others, it boils down to getting precise; City-based entrepreneur Madhavi Jadhav  states, “I asked for office supplies while setting up my office. I urged my friends to send me their old laptops, computers and printers as I wanted to get started and knew the people in my circle would understand that my demands were genuine. I did not feel awkward as I didn’t hound people with requests. One should offer room for the person on the other side to say no, without which, it can get a little too pushy And always express gratitude and do a payback in some form or the other.”

Asserting how people seeking help online — both financial and non-financial for projects — are those who bank on insecurities and sentiments of people, city-based film maker Puneeth BA says, “It is  funny  because if they themselves wouldn’t trust in their abilities and invest on it, how do they expect strangers to do it? It would work initially. But in the long run, it has to be your work and just that.”