Sigh. I can't keep up with all this modern crap.
My niece just sent me an invitation to Tagged, one of those social networking sites. I also got one from my cousin last week, but I ignored it. However, I haven't heard from my niece in months--and she's deaf so calling her is way complicated--so I decided to click on it, try the registration process, and see what it's all about.
But of course, the instructions are virtually nonexistent. And somehow I ended up sending Tagged invitations to everyone in my email address book.
So what's the big deal?
I haven't cleaned out my email address book in ages, if ever. Every literary agent whom I've ever emailed a query to is in there. (AOL automatically enters people you email.) Every editor I've ever worked for is in there. An ex boyfriend is in there. A friend who unceremoniously dumped me without explanation a month ago is in there. A couple of people whose relationships with me have broken down are still in there. My congresswoman and senators are in there (one of whom happens to be Barak Obama). Several customer service reps of companies I use are in there.
And every single one of them just got a pathetic email from me saying, "Will you be my friend?"
Just take me out and shoot me. Now. Please.
26 comments:
Oh, Ruth. I'm sorry this happened! It'll be interesting to see what happens next. It may be, however, that people ignore it as you did in your first "tag."
Oh! Bless you, my dear! But, who knows, you may have opened a floodgate of social communication.
oh, this happens to a lot of people! I don't really get the "tagged" social network, but I have gotten some from people who I'm sure didn't mean to send them to me.
I'll venture to say that there is a very good reason in the universe that you were suppose to send out these messages - and when you find it out - I would be curious to know. Just wait.... I hope no one took you up on the shooting... because it could really be exciting to see what all this is REALLY about
Ruth, I'm glad to know what this is about. I've never had that invitation before and wasn't sure what to do. Since it's from YOU, I was giving that email more than just passing attention. But since I'm in WA State, I'm not really doing anything. But, yes, I consider you a friend without emails, tagging, or whatever.
NOW I get it! What an amazing snafu.
It sounds like this Tagged site might be an address collector for spam. Seems a bit cheeky to go in and use your mail box without asking.
Oh Ruth! ;) I got one of those e-mails from you, and as soon as I looked at it, I figured it was something like this. These things happen!
I can't keep up with all the modern crap either! At least you are educating all of us.
One time my account was broken into and they sent x-rated messages to every one on my e-mail list, so it could be worse. Hope that makes you feel a little better.
You've all made me feel better.
I don't think it's a spam site; it's just a poorly thought out feature. The way their system works is that you can't advance to the next step of registration without typing in your email password. You're supposed to go into your address book and select who should receive the invitations, but it doesn't explain that. So you hit "next" and voila, 389 people get invites. (I made that number up. I have no idea how full my address book is.)
Peggy and Pat, I do think I know what good may come from this. One of the broken relationships was with someone who just suffered a very hard loss. This already brought us back into contact.
LOL, nobody's gonna shoot you! A few lashes with a wet noodle, perhaps? NAH - I'll just give you a hug and call it done...
XOXO
Oh, God, Ruth!
That is my first belly laugh in awhile!
(I hope you will eventually find it funny.....)
Yeah, it's starting to seem funny. Although I might start to feel cranky tomorrow, depending on how many questioning emails I have to answer while I'm trying to work.
Ruth, just create a file with an explanation in it....if you have to answer a lot of mail, just copy and paste the pat explanation. That will save you some typing!
Poor thing, I just deleted the one I got from you. A good reminder to NOT open files or click on anything in a suspicious email!!
Love you!
XOXOXOX
tee hee .. as you know I thought well sure, I'm a friend. no harm done
Girl you are so funny. I got that email and first I thought, "Why, Ruth already knows I'm her friend!" and then I thought, "Well, okay, if she needs to tag me that's all right!" But then when I clicked "YES" (because I was warned that if I clicked "NO" you'd think I didn't want to be your friend), it wanted me to sign up and fill out a bunch of fields and come up with a password!
And I was too lazy to do that.
Oh gosh ... that's so funny, and yet it's so NOT funny! I feel for you - I'd be positively writhing in embarrassment and yes, my address book is like yours.
Ginni Dee has the right idea. Create a new message with the explanation and send it out to everyone, or create two different messages; one for professional contacts which gives a matter-of-fact explanation and apology, and one for social contacts where you can (if you wish) say that it was sent by mistake but if they would like to join in to feel free!
*Hugs*
I tried to respond! But then I got confused because Grace isn't my real name, and I wasn't sure whether, if I registered under my real name (which I'd be fne with you knowing, but not the entire blogosphere) I'd be deanonymised and unmaked forever.
But really, I wouldn't worry about it. These things happen... these systems are set up unable to distinguish between personal and professional contacts... and I think most people now are aware of that! At least it was nothing rude or offensive!
Oh,dear. Yeah, it does get ahead of us doesn't it? I've been "caught" by technology when I sent a reply to someone thinking I was responding to her on her own e-mail when it was actually on a group list-serve thing...and I said something I really wished I hadn't...it would have been funny if it were just her, but to the whole group it was flip and not really too cool, so I sent out the "oops, sorry" note. But I am glad to be your friend anytime!
I was going to email you about that as I do not want to join Tagged. Now this makes sense.
The same thing happened to me with another email address that I use for business and the Plaxo pulse software, which is like Linked In but not as good.
I know exactly how you feel!!
LOL. well I can't help it. It is funny. I got one of your emails. I actually signed up, but I didn't have any of those address books anyway, so I didn't get trapped into it. Too funny. That must be why I got one from my cousin a few weeks ago. I thought it was very strange. Must be his grandkids fooling around or something. Well, hey, enjoy all your email traffic! And hope Smokey is doing better!
Oh, you poor thing! Yikes, that would majorly bum me out too. I'm sure it will be fine, though, because something similar has probably happened to more of the recipients than you realize.
OK, now I get it. I sent a "yes" because I didn't want you to think I didn't want to be your friend, then I hit "unsubscribe" right after that. So far I haven't received any bizarre spam. I'd be glad to be your friend under any circumstances--"social networking" websites not necessary.
Write a follow-up post to this one, please. I'm so curious as to the responses you'll be getting.
I can relate! I keep getting invitations from people from LinkedIn and Plaxo, and I always accept but I never send any to anyone and feel bad because it looks as if I have no connections! But now I'm glad I haven't because look what I could have done by mistake!
Oh Ruth...just getting around to visiting today...and this is the funniest post I have ever read. Tooooo funny. I am sure it gave you grief though...and people CAN be 'mean' when they feel 'spammed' or whatever it is called now adays!
Oh Ruth, your humour on this one I can so relate to....
Oh geez. Reminds me of the time my sister got up at an outdoor wedding reception and thought she had her purse over her shoulder. She didn't. She had the chaise lounge pad. The thing is, is that she was more embarrassed than anyone else. Time marches on. People forget.
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