In case you haven’t met me in real life before, I’m a nice guy. I’m generally nice online too. Unless, my skanky wife Justine has been out all night and forgot to give me some lovin’. See… there… that… I can be funny too. It’s a personal joke that only a handful of you will understand. I digress.

This is a good example of someone I know well that added me with an awesome message.

One (of many) thing I love about Twitter (I’m @djsteen) is that it allows people to follow me without having to accept them. Sure, I’m not going to share super-personal information on Twitter, so everything is fine and dandy.

Facebook is a different story. In order to see my updates, photos, and personal information on Facebook, you must send me a friend request. That’s cool, except who are all these people? I know I have fans, but that’s what my Facebook fan page is for.

Let me back up a moment. Imagine I met you through a friend. Me: “Hi, I’m Derek.” You: “Cool. Hi (blah blah blah).” I don’t remember names very well after only one meeting, and thus would probably not consider you a friend. If we all hung out a few times, played some paintball, perhaps did some photography, then the friendship would grow, I’d remember names, and possibly want to add you on Facebook to see some more of your photography.

Now, I’m not saying this is what you do to become my friend. I’m just saying that is the way it has worked before. Online friendships are similar: We IM, possibly video chat on Skype, I read your blog, etc etc. Then, maybe I’ll remember your name and know a little bit about you. THEN, I might decide to friend you up on the Facebook.

You don’t just walk up to someone in the street, say nothing, and expect to become friends with them, right? Or do you? That’s how I feel when someone adds me on Facebook (or Viddler) and doesn’t tell me who they are or even greet me.

Every single time I add someone on Facebook (or any other site that allows it) I add a personal greeting and possibly start a conversation. Even if it’s someone I know really well. Example of when I added Brandon below:

I love the Internet, but there are many things from real life that we shouldn’t forget. Human interaction is one of them.

Below is a video my awesome friend Owen (aka OhDocTah) made at SXSWi 2009. He truly understands how to make friends and keep them.

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