What is the Meaning of the Facebook Poke?

You go to your Facebook wall and there you find about one hundred pokes from Facebook friends from around the world. So, you spend the next half of an hour poking everyone back because you want to be “polite”. You really don’t have to. Depending on your relationship with the person, all they could be doing is just giving you a “poke” just to let you know they are alive and are thinking about you.

I will poke people if I don’t know them, but they liked something on my wall. My wall is open to the public so anyone can read what is posted on it or look at my pics. That is my way of letting them know that I appreciate them liking my wall content and if they would like to follow up with a conversation or friend request that is fine with me.

Poking can also be used when you want to flirt with someone, but I don’t personally do that because I am a more direct person. People do the poke thing to get attention. That I will do if I want the person to know that I am still out here in cyber land and thinking of them. If I want to flirt with a Facebook friend, I flirt with them with words. The poke is too vague.

Another reason I will poke someone is if, I agree with many of the things I have read on their wall. It is like my saying that they have done a great job. Many of my Facebook friends are political activists and we use this social media as a way to spread information about social causes and movements. The poke is an affirmation of good will.

I poke my family members and close friends to let them know I am thinking about and love them. It is quicker than a text or phone call. I work out of town so I try to have some sort of daily communication and Facebook and the “poke” are a fast way of keeping in touch.

You can use the Facebook “poke” for any reason you like, but remember that the poke is very vague and unless the person knows you well they may misunderstand the meaning of your poke. I also am an instigator at times and will poke people to cause a little bit of drama. This cyber form of attention-seeking behavior isn’t the most healthy way to communicate, but as perfect as I try to be, I have my unhealthy moments. Pokes are aggravating to many, so use them wisely. Just like poking someone in the real world, a poke can be a playful thing the first time and turn into trouble if it is over-used.


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