The Facebook Birthday Message: What Does it Mean?

I recently celebrated a birthday. It came and went as all birthdays do.

There were some presents given and drinks were drunk and my mom even called to sing me a rousing chorus of “Happy Birthday.”

However, I noticed this a year a disturbing trend I hadn’t seen in years past: The ever so casual Facebook birthday message…which is both really typical and totally impersonal.

I must say that while it was totally nice to see my comment page fully loaded with birthday wishes I had to remember that not every single one of my friends had dutifully remembered my special day. Facebook had kindly reminds everyone that I am connected with my birthday was coming up.

I find this to be a good reminder tool, but friends should not rely totally on the Facebook birthday wish. A card would be nice kids, or even a phone call. My address and number do happen to be listed right on my profile.

The Facebook birthday wish only says, “I feel an obligation to post on your birthday that I didn’t remember, but I have no time to do anything else.”

Lame, kids. Really really lame.

So, as an experiment, next year in the month or so prior to my big day, I’m planning on removing my birthday from my page and see exactly who remembers. I know some of them will, and the ones who don’t I now have more information on.

I am imploring all of you to do the same.

The five year old inside of me has decided to come out, and she doesn’t want a dozen Facebook comments. She wants presents, lots and lots of presents.