Social Networking and Cruising

While I have known of many of the sites, and we hear about them all the time in various news media, it wasn't till recently that I have gotten more involved directly with them.  Thus I am on Facebook, and LinkedIn and may be chided into  Twitter by my family.  Certainly there are others like myspace, plaxo and others.

The amount of people I have since become "netted" to is a large mix of previous acquaintances, former and current colleagues, class mates from school and others that I put in the category of having had a previous personal relationship with.

Its the category of people that I now "net" with that I did not have a previous relationship, and perhaps have still not met in person, that are the focus of this blog.

Being open to meeting people and listenting or trying to help them in some way is I think key to establishing a relationship that has some meaning. 

Its like when my wife and I cruise or tour, we always want to meet and talk with fellow travellers about their experiences and where they have been so that we can learn from their experiences as well.  Its also fun.  And in some cases those meetings have led to continuing exchanges and friendships.  We still communicate regularly and keep track those friends with the longest being a 35 year yearly snail mail exchange with some great friends in Australia.

But to be successful and lasting there had to be something of value for each that endured the initial meeting.  And its the same in todays social networking.

Everything comes at you so fast today and there are so many social networks and groups to be part of but to be of value to both sides they need to have some value exchange.

I constantly receive invitations to join others networks or clubs or groups and I am not sure why they invited me.  Some are more natural such as those with similar backgrounds, work experiences, travel interests, friends of friends etc. 

Unless I have had a dialogue with someone, met them and have a sense of them or a common interest, I don't readily join. 

I want to make sure that I have something to offer them as well as be comfortable enough with them to ask them for support in some way in the future.