Internet Stalker or Just Lonely?

This morning one of my FaceBook friends messaged me to find out if I knew anything about a man she had friended on FB. She was thinking about deleting him, but saw I was one of his friends.  I suspected he was just one in a short line of men who had contacted me with some flattering messages.

Okay, when someone calls me beautiful, I am immediately suspicious. I mean, my husband doesn’t even call me beautiful. In fact, when we were planning our wedding and deciding upon music, he told me he wanted the song, “Make an Ugly Woman your Wife.” 

Yes, he is correct when he says I have a very long memory. But to his credit, he told me he only wanted that song because there is a phrase in it that speaks of a woman’s culinary abilities. I chose to let him off the hook, knowing he did appreciate my cooking. However, deep down I always wondered if that was really his reason for wanting that old song.

Back on topic. I had told the man in question I was happily married and he had replied that he meant no offense and just wanted to be friends. I let it go at that. I didn’t think any more of it. No more flattering messages. He was forgotten.

Until this morning. Although this woman was deleting the man, I promised I would check my friend list to see if I could find out more. To my amazement, this man who just wanted to be FB friends, had unfriended me. Imagine that. Now I wonder, was he moving on to hopefully greener pastures, only to be deleted himself.

I know we can report anyone who acts suspiciously or who is vulgar in any way. Still, I started thinking of other ways of weeding through these people trying to figure out if they are FB stalkers or just lonely people in need of friendship. I’d like you to add suggestions of your own to the two I’m going to offer.

First, in the course of my work I occasionally need to obtain stock photographs. My thought is to look for one that is exceptionally unflattering. I will leave you to define that for yourself, as my way might be offensive to certain people who live alternative lifestyles.  I would use this photo in a special message mentioning where I would be on a certain date and time. I’d say that they would recognize me by my real photograph, which would become my FB photo for a brief time.

Of course if my ego would not permit me to do this, I could try another, no less offensive method.  It comes from a funny story I will spare telling you at this time. However, let’s just say we often ask for prayers as we prepare to undergo medical procedures or surgery.

My thought is to give a few hints as to the type of surgery one might be having. If the person who wants to be friends, really does want to be just friends, it should not matter one bit. On the other hand, if that person is an Internet stalker with evil intents, the thought of a potential love interest having such surgery just might dampen the mood.

Then, there is always another alternative, such as the one I used. Let them know you are not interested and watch them drop you like a hot potato, instead of a hot mama.  Or, do as my friend did this morning, and just click them away.

There are always going to be strange people, just like there will be lonely people. It is up to us to figure out who we are dealing with when we are on FB or any other social media site. I advise everyone use care and don’t be so revealing about where you live, or places where you can be found. You never who might be watching.