If you get an e-mail with a friend request then I think that person did ask to be friends. This is different then the friend suggestions that show up on the right of your home page..there they give suggestions occasionally of people that are linked to you through other friends like your children etc. They aren't requests just suggestions. If you accept a friend request and then later decide you don't want to be friends you just go and hide the friend or delete them altogether.
Joann

When you signed up for Facebook, there is an option for Facebook to contact everyone in your computer's email address list.

I don't remember if I had to check the No option or uncheck it....but, it's possible that Facebook contacted your email contacts....

ML

Enlighten me. What is the benefit of this activity?

The ones that come in your email are sent via facebook from a friend (usually).

There have been a few times my dd was contacted by adults she didn't know. She pressed the button that reported them as spam. She only accepts people she wants to and she knows. I do the same. I don't usually bother with suggested friends unless I really want them on my list. My list is relatively short because I usually only pick or accept people I would talk to if I see them personally. If I wouldn't talk to them in the grocery story, then I most likely wouldn't on facebook.
Facebook gives me the opportunity to keep up with friends across the country. My best friend in California, another friend who is visiting Rome for two weeks, MaryAnn who isn't feeling well, my mom who likes to see my kids pictures now and then, a few older ladies that I don't get to see very often but like to keep up with, I can see what my girls are seeing and it's a fun way to keep up with friends who have something they want to share with many.
I don't play the games there, not enough time but I love some of the reports I can get about some of my favorite "LIKES". (another facebook thing)

In a nutshell that's what keeps me going to facebook!

Chisue, you took the words from my mouth.

Thanks everyone.

I signed up for Facebook once, just because a friend recommended that I do, and see the pics she took on her trip to Holland.
I used a fake username, and am glad I did. Mind you I still get queries wondering if I'm the same so and so, that someone went to school with. Gee I would hope that I wouldn't be given a name like the one I used, but ya never know.

Anyway.....little did I know that all Her friends and their friends post every little activity. Blech. I don't know any of them, nor do I care what they do. Although, I did find out that a person who I do know, who's on *the system* did go to a very popular and expensive rock concert, and posted the price of the tickets and said what a great time she had. Gee, must be nice! Said person also has a Blackberry, etc, etc.

I don't see the use in it at all, BUT I do know that several people here (and other people I know) use it to keep in touch with their family and see what their kids and grandkids are doing.

Most of my family lives far away from me. Mom, sister, brother in North Carolina. Another sis in Ark. Another sis, an hour away...so its easy to keep up with all of them on the computer..My dad is a truck driver and since he got his new droid phone he ahs been able to let me know when his truck has been delayed if I dont answer my phone.. I have reconnected with several old high school friends...
Instead of just wondering about people that used to be in my past, they are now in my present..Those that I dont want to deal with one a daily bases..I either hide or never accept their friend request..Its all rather easy.

chisue,
Facebook is a place to help keep in contact with the friends and family that you know. It's kind of the like here except the people that are your friends you may "physically" know a little better (old classmates, co-workers, cousins you don't see often). You can post info that's a little more personal than you may see here because you have real relationships with the people and aren't afraid of strangers and of people you don't like posting... It gives you more control.

For all the negatives people say, it really has some remarkable offerings... I wouldn't generally see picture of my nieces and nephews on their first day of school or in their halloween costumes, I wouldn't necesarily find out that my friend from high school is pregnant, or that my old co-worker's husband has cancer. My grade school wouldn't have had a reunion so highly attended and fun. I feel like I have reunited and furthered so many relationships with many of the people that otherwise would have had no part in my life. It's great for people who are going through stages of their lives where they may not have time to go out to dinner often, or call all their friends to catch up. You feel a little more connected to your friends. It's kind of nice (and a great time saver) to be able to tell everyone (and be able to post a picture) about your new dog without having to call everyone individually that you would like to tell. I do some volunteer work and I'm able to inform people of events, etc.. via facebook too... It makes it easy and a little more personal.

Like I said...it's kind of like here...but it's only with people you know and choose to have a relationship with. If you don't have a lot friends or family that you want to hear from or keep in touch with, (or you're able to keep in touch with all of them as much as you'd like through phone, etc), or, you're older and there aren't many of your friends on Facebook...then it may not be for you.

I enjoy hearing from my friends...even when they are going for coffee or to an expensive rock concert or bragging about their kid getting into Harvard...but they're my friends; I really do like hearing from and about their lives.... Plus... you can scroll through stuff that bores you (Actually, you can turn the games and the people completely off if you don't want to hear from them)... You can probably tell, I enjoy it (and, no I don't do Farmville or play games!)

I'm with carla35, very well put.

The "email requests" that you get are from individuals who want to friend you. The "suggestions" that FB offers are people who are connected to people that you know...like if your sister is friends with a cousin, FB will suggest that cousin would be a friend you might like. For instance, my sister and I have 12 mutual friends on FB, so FB suggests her friends to me and my friends to her, reasoning that if one of us knows them, the other might too. It's networking.

Like carla35, I can see pictures of family that I would not see otherwise, I can see what the young ones are up to...things I wouldn't know without FB. I can see what my relatives across the country are doing on a regular basis. I'd hate to be without all that now.

I'm with carla35 and oldgardener
Its my connection to the human race ! I go weeks sometimes without seeing another human, except for my husband and the clerks in town ! It helps me to cope with being lonely, I can see what my brother is up to and my niece, my sons, and some dear friends. I dont play the games, but I do pop in and out to see whats new.
It is sort of up to each person as to what you want from it.
You can just hide the people you dont want to follow.All my friends are people I know really well, with the exception of a couple I have met here at the KT, and I feel like I am getting to know them now too :-)

If you don't want to hear/know how many gulps of coffee that it takes someone, even your friend to see the bottom of the mug ...

... you can just skip on by.

And you can avoid making such messages yourself, if you choose.

ole joyful

huh?
secret meaning?