Facebook Fascination in Italy
At the start of this year I often made a point of mentioning Facebook to my new master students, especially those doing marketing and media relations masters, but not only.
I noticed at that time that quite a number of these students had not even heard of Facebook and really had no idea what it was all about.
Well, that has all changed now, but not necessarily for the best.
Facebook Fever
Nowadays it has become difficult to find an Italian who has not heard of Facebook, and it appears that many Italians in the 25 to 40 or so age range are on this increasingly popular social networking system.
Facebook appears to have taken Italy, or should that really be Italians, by storm.
The fact that Facebook is now available in Italian has undoubtedly helped, however for some reason being on Facebook seems to be becoming nigh on essential. Even people who are not too sure what the site is all about are signing up.
It really is quite a phenomenon or fever. It’s not just master students and their course managers who are becoming connected on Facebook either. Several of the parents of children at my son’s school have become Facebookers. Everyone is at it.
Facebook Italian Style
What are Italians doing with Facebook? Good question. Here are some examples:
- Telling the world they are cold, and whatever else they are feeling or up to in a particular moment.
- Forming groups about anything and everything.
- Chatting.
- Using it for marketing purposes.
- Catching up with old school or uni friends.
- Posting photos.
- Looking for love/new friends.
- Asking English teachers, like moi, for English lessons (I know something about this..).
Facebook’s Potentially Fatal Attraction
The only problem with this outburst of openness on the part of Italians participating in Facebook is that they may at times be revealing a little more than is sensible. It is probable that many potential employers will check out your Facebook profile if they can get to it and if so, they may find things which are not to their liking. Next candidate please.
One such example, and it is something I’ve mentioned before, is that Italian companies will often ask job candidates if they have a girl/boyfriend, and will then try to ascertain how stable the relationship is. I know that some Italians simply answer that they are single at interviews in order to fend off awkward lines of questioning.
Now just imagine if that potential employer had seen the candidates Facebook profile before asking this question. In cases in which the profile says you are in a relationship, this too could lead to questions which may be problematic. You might like to see this article ‘An Odd Obstacle for Young Italian Job Seekers‘ for more on this subject.
Facebook is a great system in many ways, but it is all too easy to get one of those settings wrong, and thus to inadvertently reveal to the world something that perhaps you would not like the world to know.
Use Facebook With Caution
Seeing as it is no longer necessary to encourage people to sign up, I shall change tack a little now. When everyone gleefully announces, ‘Yes, I am on Facebook!’, I shall gently warn them that potential employers may well be on Facebook too. And who knows, one day your Facebook profile, and those on any other similar system, may be routinely vetted prior to your being offered that job of a lifetime.
Watch out for the photos you post too!
I myself am on Facebook, although I am not at all active there. A few teenagers I’m in contact with told me that you are considered ‘cool’ (figo, at least here in Rome) if you contact friends through Facebook and …the contrary of ‘cool’ (wonder how can I say that: sfigato, in Italian) if you reach them through MSN.
I leave all this to young people. Being ‘cool’ goes over my head.
Ciao
PS
I also wonder what ‘it goes over my head’ mean. I just shot it. Hope it isn’t a bad word lol. Ciao
Hi MoR,
I did not know that Facebook was considered as being more cool than MSN (Myspace?)
And ‘It’s all a bit over my head’ means something is outside your knowledge. It’s a variation on “be in over your head” – which means that you have discovered that something is much too difficult for you, perhaps more so than you were expecting.
Anyway it’s very good English! You could say ‘It’s all a bit beyond me.’ too.
Out of curiosity what are the Italian equivalents? I can’t think of anything idiomatic in Italian at the moment.
Best,
Alex
I did not know that Facebook was considered as being more cool than MSN (Myspace?)
Well, only for young people up to 21-22 year-old in any case. I was referring to Microsoft Messenger chatting system (MSN is broader).
You are quite right about this Facebook facination. I typed in Google ’spacebook mania italia’ and got a great number of results.
Out of curiosity what are the Italian equivalents (for ‘it goes over my head’)?
Well, we could say ‘non mi passa proprio per la testa’ or ‘non mi sfiora proprio’ or ‘non mi tange’. The meaning is similar, although not identical, since it contains a bit of ‘me ne frego’ as well.
Ciao
MoR funny how Facebook seems to be taking over from things like messenger – which, I have to say, I never really use – or rather I don’t feel comfortable with. Don’t know why.
And thanks for the Italian equivalents – ‘non mi tange’ is a new one for me. Don’t think I have heard it used.
Ciao,
Alex
‘Non mi tange’ is less used and a bit on the literary side lol. Ciao, MoR
Alex,
I also find that Facebook is being used rather indiscriminately in Italy for professional purposes where Linkedin, Viadeo and the like would probably be more appropriate.
Someone mentioned the other day that Facebook appeals here because it simultaneously allows for
“cazzeggio”, e.g. screwing off, and “farsi i cazzi degli altri”, e.g. mind everyone else’s business. Naturally, I wouldn’t know about this stuff, thus could not possibly comment.
- Sean
@Mor – thanks for the ‘Non mi tange’ info!
@Sean – so it’s not just me that has noticed this indiscriminate use of FB. Good to know!
Cheers to both,
Alex – who has just been messing around on Facebook:-)
Facebook has really helped me to network with like-minded people and to connect with old friends and family. It has also helped many people to get to know me more.
My son infact swears by Netlog, which is the same difference anyway! But just recently I have noticed that the Italians favourite word is facebook LOL
p.s I shall be looking you up now Alex, be warned he he