Social Networking Is Like Clubbing

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Interaction on the social networks isn’t anything like the real stuff. There you have drinks, and music, and The Opposite Sex to Ogle. Still, when considering the online places-to-be, you might benefit if you viewed them more like actual nightlife places. After all, at both you’re never sure who you’re talking to, there’s a lot of background noise, and maybe you shouldn’t hang out there at all.

MySpace
MySpace is the place you’ve never gone to voluntarily: only once or twice when someone invited you and you couldn’t refuse. It’s the country disco, with the chavs and the garish décor. You may have got drunk on cider there, and snogged an ugly girl. You try to avoid the place.

Facebook
If only they had a Facebook when you were in uni. Now everyone goes there, so it’s okay to pop in. But there’s too many cliques. It confuses you. The people you meet, you already talked to earlier that day. And now they’re installing all kinds of slot machines and games, and you feel people are more concerned with the gadgets than with the conversation. You’re expected to be seen there, but actually you couldn’t care less.

VIRBº
It wasn’t so long ago when VIRBº was the talk of the town. People gave their right arm to get in. Of course, you had an invite and got to be dazzled by the place. ‘This is how it’s supposed to be’, you felt. These days however, the sports cars drive past and the gigs aren’t that great anymore. A few of the artists and designers still drop in, but it’s become blasé, devoid of the former vibe. It’s a place for thirty-somethings in flashy clothes but with little to talk about.

I’m In Like With You
Although you pretend you’ve stopped caring, this is were you want to be. Only, this time around you still haven’t scooped that to-die-for invite. On the other hand, you’re not sure what goes on in there. And that sign they’ve put up? That looks a bit too reflecty and blue for your tastes. Oh well. Perhaps you shouldn’t bother after all — or maybe you should? Invite anyone?

9rules
9rules is different from the others. It’s your local, and walking in there is like coming home. Since you first visited, you built up that special standing every punter is after: you could flirt with the barmaid and the landlord wouldn’t mind. Sometimes you stay away for weeks, but when you return you’re not forgotten. Of course, things change. They’re constantly expanding, and the owners have big plans for the place. But that’s okay, since you’re truthfully happy for them. You’ve been made to feel part of the family and got a special spot at the bar. Who could ask for anything more?