#3 Twitter's "@ conversation"

Look at me, Imma tweet freak!

I finished rewriting my Mobile Etiquette article for Mobile World Magazine and it got me thinking. How much do you "like" it when someone intrudes your personal conversation online? You know that it your conversation is public when you "chat" in Twitter and when someone else tag along, wouldn't it be weird? Imagine me speaking English with my friend and you a stranger starts talking to me in Vietnamese (no offence to those who speaks it. Vietnam rules!).


See, told you Vietnam rules!

Recently (OK, not so recently), there is this thing called "@ conversation" in Twitter. You know,

IAmSoPretty tweeted:
Oh-my-own-reflection-from-the-mirror-who-looks-so-much-like-me-but-I-am-much-prettier, I feel like my prettiness level increase again.

IAmSoCool replied
@IAmSoPretty you are so pretty!

IAmSoPretty replied
@IAmSoCool you are so cool

IAmSoCool replied
@IAmSoPretty I know!

IAmSoPretty replied
@IAmSoCool I know too!

IAmSoBeautiful replied
@IamSoPretty @IAmSoCool We are all good looking!
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....many replies later.....
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Err, something like that. If I accidently burnt the circuits in your head, here's a simple explanation in layman's term: you post an update in your Twitter and people will reply you by tagging your name. It no longer becomes a reply when both of you or more starts to tag you and each other in the conversation, hence, the "@ conversation" is born! Thank God and the creator of Twitter for it! Rejoice!

Back to topic. I understand the chatting in the comment section on Facebook tends to irritate others with the popping notifications. But in Twitter, that doesn't exist. So how much are you bothered when you are "intruded" by a stranger?

Think about it for a moment. Anyone can easily follow you on Twitter (if you do not privatise your account) and after that, the Unknown (substitute for stranger because it sounds cooler) can start viewing your tweets while you are at it. Imagine if you are having this oh-i-am-so-sad moment and your friends are cheering you up. The Unknown cheers you up too. How would you feel?


Err.. Okay, not this kind of Unknown

From my point of view, it will make me feel awkward becauce I don't know this person. If I choose to reply him or her, it's like we are friends but we are not and if this continues to a conversation people will think that we are really good friends. The thing is, I don't want that to happen.

On the other hand, if I choose to ignore the Unknown, it might send the wrong message that I am stuck up because I refuse to answer! And that could translate to other people thinking what a jerk I've become.

So where do you stand in this matter? Conversation in the virtual world seems to blur the line for friendship. It's like talking to this dude after you eavesdrop his conversation!


Yea, the old school eavesdropping.

My solution is simple if I want to avoid that. Click block and repeat. It's definitely faster than brushing your teeth!

I created this! If I find it elsewhere, Imma sue your ass off.

Calv out.