Overheard on Facebook

[Zikoris]

Good man!

If you unfollow everyone, what's the point of having a FB account? Unless you want to "peep and scan". Far easier to let it all go and delete account. There is no benefit of FB, you're the product, your data is sold or leveraged for advertising. Everything in FB is a downside.

Here's 98 data points collected about you by Facebook (this was in 2016, will be more in 2018): https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-intersect/wp/2016/08/19/98-personal-data-points-that-facebook-uses-to-target-ads-to-you/?utm_term=.6d514a897422

Some of those are pretty funny. "80. Users who buy groceries" - oh shit, they're on to me! That was my biggest secret!

[shelivesthedream]

My husband quit Facebook recently and loves it.

... try unfollowing everyone on your news feed.

Top right of all the posts, just click the arrow and unfollow that person. After a week or so, you'll end up with a blank newsfeed. It's brilliant! Nothing to idly scroll through but if you want to go and look at any particular person or group you're still friends with them. If you really miss having anyone particular in your newsfeed you can re-follow them after a while but you don't have to be assaulted by the holiday photos or political opinions of people you're moderately acquainted with. Anyone still on Facebook should really try it! It maximises the benefits of the site (simple connections with people and useful groups) and minimises the downsides (timesuck temptations and inadequate distinguishing between close friends and distant acquaintances).

Good man!

If you unfollow everyone, what's the point of having a FB account? Unless you want to "peep and scan". Far easier to let it all go and delete account. There is no benefit of FB, you're the product, your data is sold or leveraged for advertising. Everything in FB is a downside.

I want to agree...but I've received a lot of benefits from groups. Facebook is the biggest source for local vegan events and other information on dining out and such. I've met a couple people through there. My fraternity also has events on their page and updates on new members. Also, apparently the D&D group at my local game shop has a page too, which I still need to join. Last week our usual day was canceled and I had no idea that they moved it to the day after because I wasn't on the page.

Also, it's the best way I currently have to talk to my grandma who is in Ukraine and speaks no English. I don't know if she would be able to figure out how to use something completely different. Same with a couple other friends, though I could reasonably contact them in another way--I just might not receive responses as promptly.

Well, two reasons. First, it's a transitional step to quitting. My husband unfollowed everyone first because it's not as final as quitting so it's easier to do. I think it's a really helpful suggestion for people who quail at the idea of going cold turkey.

Second, as marielle said, there are lots of really great groups that are only on Facebook. I am in four very active groups related to my professional freelance work and one related to a hobby of mine. I've had excellent advice on there and even found work through those groups. I'm not concerned about Facebook mining my data any more because I don't put any personal stuff on there. I'm pregnant and Facebook has no idea we're having a baby, and probably never will. I have moderate concerns about all the stuff I've already posted on there but it's not like I believe they'll delete it if I delete my account, so what can I do.

[Rowellen]

I find I don't mind the advertising on Facebook. It's a company. It needs to make money. I can tell Facebook that I don't like certain ads and they listen. I can ignore most of what comes up now quite easily. I'd rather have targeted ads than a series of ads about stuff I find annoying or offensive. Most of what I get now is clickbait articles. I don't mind because it provides a bit of a laugh when I'm bored at work. Google does the same thing. I was looking for something at a store website and later that day the exact items I had looked at came up in an ad in the sidebar of another website. As far as I know, I don't have the option to tell Google I'm not actually interested in those items.  Maybe I can. I don't know. I find it highly amusing that a page I googled when looking for a Christmas present for my husband now comes up as an ad on a game I play on my phone.

[RidetheRain]

I find I don't mind the advertising on Facebook. It's a company. It needs to make money. I can tell Facebook that I don't like certain ads and they listen.

I'm a little biased since I work in the type of analytics that goes into these targetted ads, but I think they are just too cool. As facebook refines their algorithms and I provide them more information about my interests I get better and better ads that I actually want to click on. This is a win-win scenario so far as I am concerned. I know there are drawbacks in terms of security and the "creep" factor. The security is less dangerous than you would normally think because the data is already provided as you have given that information about yourself away for free anyway. The targeted ads are just looking at the data you've already provided in clever ways. The creep factor can't be helped. Either you marvel at the data scientists and technology or you find it weird and uncomfortable. I recommend taking a statistics class (or several) to get rid of the feeling (or shift the creepy feeling from technology to math).

[RFAAOATB]

Is there a way television could move into the targeted advertising business by switching to internet streaming, and having the same shows but different content for advertising breaks?  If I'm watching TV during the daytime, I don't want all these old people and trailer trash ads just because they are the demographics most likely to be watching daytime TV.

Plus you could sell a premium option which replaces ad breaks with background muzak, nature scenes, and a countdown clock.

[Rowellen]

I find I don't mind the advertising on Facebook. It's a company. It needs to make money. I can tell Facebook that I don't like certain ads and they listen.

I'm a little biased since I work in the type of analytics that goes into these targetted ads, but I think they are just too cool. As facebook refines their algorithms and I provide them more information about my interests I get better and better ads that I actually want to click on. This is a win-win scenario so far as I am concerned. I know there are drawbacks in terms of security and the "creep" factor. The security is less dangerous than you would normally think because the data is already provided as you have given that information about yourself away for free anyway. The targeted ads are just looking at the data you've already provided in clever ways. The creep factor can't be helped. Either you marvel at the data scientists and technology or you find it weird and uncomfortable. I recommend taking a statistics class (or several) to get rid of the feeling (or shift the creepy feeling from technology to math).

Agreed. I think its quite clever and win win win for all. While slightly disturbing when considering how big brother could use the technology, I don't see it as creepy. It's not like there's some sweaty overweight man sitting in a dark room and jerking off to our info. It's all computers. I assume (maybe stupidly) that the advertisers don't actually know who is seeing their ads. It's all about the numbers. I also assume that fb doesn't actually give a shit about me personally except as a money making number. From a small business point of view, I have considered advertising on Facebook. I haven't yet but if I do, it pleases me to know that I can choose only local area peeps to see it and that I won't be paying for random people all over the world to see it when it's no good to them or us.

[shelivesthedream]

Oh yeah, and I also have Adblock for Chrome so barely see any adverts on Facebook (or, indeed, anywhere else). I would really recommend it! Every time I go on another computer now I'm startled by all the huge, blaring adverts.

[Rowellen]

I left the location on on my phone while at the shop. Now my phone/google is asking me to rate the store I was at. I found it amusing.

[ohsnap]

I just came here to post about something I saw on the same group. Someone asked what people thought about 401ks, and there are people chiming in about it isn't worth it because the government will appropriate everyone's savings and it's better to just be a prepper (I'm paraphrasing). WTF? ...

I follow a FB group on the topic of food storage/home canning/prepping/etc.  The view you mentioned is pretty common in this group!  They believe food storage leads to financial security.  Folks tell stories like, "My husband lost his job for 6 months, and we would have starved if I hadn't stockpiled 87 cans of Del Monte green beans when they were on sale for $.40."  They talk about spending a certain amount, say $100/month, in additional grocery expense to add to their stockpile.  Me, I'd rather have $1000 cash in the case of a job loss than $1000 in canned goods in my pantry. 

[faithless]

Folks tell stories like, "My husband lost his job for 6 months, and we would have starved if I hadn't stockpiled 87 cans of Del Monte green beans when they were on sale for $.40." 
They talk about spending a certain amount, say $100/month, in additional grocery expense to add to their stockpile.  Me, I'd rather have $1000 cash in the case of a job loss than $1000 in canned goods in my pantry.

I suppose this makes sense to people who think money is for spending, and therefore would otherwise spend the £100 on crap they didn't need - they wouldn't have been able to buy food when he lost his job.

I guess they are saving for hard times, just in food rather than cash?

[AnnaGrowsAMustache]

Folks tell stories like, "My husband lost his job for 6 months, and we would have starved if I hadn't stockpiled 87 cans of Del Monte green beans when they were on sale for $.40." 
They talk about spending a certain amount, say $100/month, in additional grocery expense to add to their stockpile.  Me, I'd rather have $1000 cash in the case of a job loss than $1000 in canned goods in my pantry.

I suppose this makes sense to people who think money is for spending, and therefore would otherwise spend the £100 on crap they didn't need - they wouldn't have been able to buy food when he lost his job.

I guess they are saving for hard times, just in food rather than cash?

You've missed the point of stockpiling - that you're paying much less per unit than someone who does not stockpile. Because you're buying bulk on sale. Of course, this is only useful if you're buying basics that your family uses regularly AND you use them before any expiration AND you don't fall into the trap of have-more-use-more. But, done correctly, stockpiling means that you pay far, far less for grocery items than someone who buys as they require.

I probably allow an extra $20 a week to take advantage of any really good special I see. I don't always spend that. It tends to be on reduced for quick sale stuff that will be perfectly fine in the freezer until it is eaten.

[Imma]

Moderate stockpiling of things you're actually going to use is a very good way to save money. But all this prepper-style stockpiling is just a huge waste of money and space. And let's not even talk about coupon queen-style stockpiling. I have a few relatives that buy lots of stuff because it's free or nearly free. After a few months they donate all this weird food to me. I'm just now drinking cappucccino made with cappuccino milk powder from a sachet. I had no idea a thing like that even existed. Someone gave this box of sachets to me because they don't actually drink cappuccino.

[faithless]

You've missed the point of stockpiling - that you're paying much less per unit than someone who does not stockpile. Because you're buying bulk on sale. Of course, this is only useful if you're buying basics that your family uses regularly AND you use them before any expiration AND you don't fall into the trap of have-more-use-more. But, done correctly, stockpiling means that you pay far, far less for grocery items than someone who buys as they require.

I probably allow an extra $20 a week to take advantage of any really good special I see. I don't always spend that. It tends to be on reduced for quick sale stuff that will be perfectly fine in the freezer until it is eaten.

I thought everyone bought extra stuff whilst it's on offer?
I don't buy crazy amounts though, just enough to see me through until next time it's likely to be on offer if it's something regularly on offer. Obviously I buy more if I think it's a one off, never to be repeated offer. E.g. I have 3 packs of cheddar cheese in the fridge, and my meat drawer in the freezer is filled with reduced meat and fish, but I'm running low on tinned tomatoes so will keep an eye out for offers on these.

To be fair, I'm doing less of this now I'm almost exclusively shopping at Aldi and Lidl, they tend to have low prices consistently rather than Asda where I only buy certain things if they're on (regular) offer. Now I mainly just buy and freeze meat and fish reduced because they are near use by dates.

I don't count this as 'extra' spending per week/month on this, I assume it all balances out. But I don't really budget, we just total up our spending every couple of months (to sort out who owes who what) and I just check the totals are within reason.

[ohsnap]

Moderate stockpiling of things you're actually going to use is a very good way to save money. But all this prepper-style stockpiling is just a huge waste of money and space...

+1.  I buy enough groceries when they are on sale to last until the next time they're on sale.  For example, I recently bought several boxes of cereal that my son likes because it was $1/box.  It takes up a lot of room in my pantry, but he'll eventually eat it, and I won't buy it again until I can get another great deal.  I consider this smart shopping - I don't consider it an unemployment insurance plan.

MTA: Oh, I see this is what faithless just described, too.

[MayDay]

Here is an actual Facebook rant:

My "friend" (I am actually only still friends on FB for the drama which I find entertaining) is living paycheck to paycheck. Her husband is a security guard, she makes more but not craZy money, and they have four kids. Definitely paycheck to paycheck.

They had a Toyota Yaris, that was worth 5-8k (I can't remember) so a pretty reasonable frugal car choice. The H got in an accident and totalled it, plus he was semi seriously injured and couldn't work for a month,plus medical bills.

She posted a GFM on Facebook, saying they live paycheck to paycheck and need help.

It has now been less than a month. She bought all new furniture and rugs and whatnot to decorate her home office, and they bought a new car with a bigger loan- a Fiat of some.kind that gets horrible reliability reviews, and is just as tiny as the Yaris, so they don't even have the excuse of not wanting to get crunched in another accident.

The optics are SO BAD. If I was ever thinking about helping her out (spoiler alert- I wasn't) I certainly wouldn't now!

[ms]

Is there a way television could move into the targeted advertising business by switching to internet streaming, and having the same shows but different content for advertising breaks?  If I'm watching TV during the daytime, I don't want all these old people and trailer trash ads just because they are the demographics most likely to be watching daytime TV.

Plus you could sell a premium option which replaces ad breaks with background muzak, nature scenes, and a countdown clock.

There is definitely a move to do this but it's probably still far from traditional television implementing this.  Google bought a company (mDialog) that does exactly this - to target advertising based on the viewer.  So same content internet streamed from two different viewers will get different ads. 

There are a few television providers that already implement the premium option to cut out the ads - CBS is one that comes to mind.  If you use their app.

[FireHiker]

I definitely stock up when staples we will use anyway are on sale, and I do think it's important to have a reasonable stockpile of food in case of an emergency where you have to shelter in place for a bit. I was just so struck by the leap between the original question on the group "what do you all think about 401Ks" to "don't bother, the government will take all your money anyway, be a prepper instead." Facebook is fascinating. I probably own't ever quit it because I value my local Buy Nothing Group too much. There are days I might consider it though if they used a platform other than Facebook.

[JAYSLOL]

A classmate from high school wrote on Facebook today

"Just keep winning free play on our lotto tickets (frowny face), I'd be happy with hundred thou and be out of debt.  Some day I'll win big (smiley face)"

Doubt it.  (Face palm face)

Update time.  Same person just posted a photo of a 65" 4K LED Smart TV with the caption "present for husband".  Dare I ask if she's out of debt now?

Another update, this just keeps getting worse.  Today she wrote

"I feel like the world has fallen on my shoulders, after I get baby to sleep I'm going to call subsidy to see if we qualify, but from the sounds of it we don't so we are basically screwed.  I can't afford $530 a month for daycare, LMAO, I'm already drowning in debt as it is"

I have no words.  No. Fucking. Words.

New update today for this person, I didn't think they could top the last one but boy did they find a way. 
They posted a photo of their truck, which is/was a brand new Dodge Ram with the biggest cab I've ever seen, which apparently they had purchased new 3 years ago, along with the following garbage..

"Call us crazy LOL we have traded in our vehicle a million times, but I'd rather be stuck in a vehicle I actually like!! We are in over our head but I don't care!!  One of these days I'll win the lottery :)"

What does it take for someone like this to see the light?  I just don't understand!

[kaypinkHH]

Why are they posting this on FB??? The last one doesn't even make any sense (if it was a new car...mabye?)

This makes me hurt.

[JAYSLOL]

Why are they posting this on FB??? The last one doesn't even make any sense (if it was a new car...mabye?)

This makes me hurt.

Same.  I think it was one of those "Facebook Memories" things that let you repost something that you posted this day a year (or 2 or 10 or whatever) ago, so it was like a repost of their initial purchase of the new truck 3 years ago.  Why people do this i have no idea.

[JAYSLOL]

I definitely stock up when staples we will use anyway are on sale, and I do think it's important to have a reasonable stockpile of food in case of an emergency where you have to shelter in place for a bit. I was just so struck by the leap between the original question on the group "what do you all think about 401Ks" to "don't bother, the government will take all your money anyway, be a prepper instead." Facebook is fascinating. I probably own't ever quit it because I value my local Buy Nothing Group too much. There are days I might consider it though if they used a platform other than Facebook.

We should make "FacePunch", like FaceBook, but when anything anti-mustachian gets posted, they get a good punch in the face. 

[JAYSLOL]

A classmate from high school wrote on Facebook today

"Just keep winning free play on our lotto tickets (frowny face), I'd be happy with hundred thou and be out of debt.  Some day I'll win big (smiley face)"

Doubt it.  (Face palm face)

Update time.  Same person just posted a photo of a 65" 4K LED Smart TV with the caption "present for husband".  Dare I ask if she's out of debt now?

Another update, this just keeps getting worse.  Today she wrote

"I feel like the world has fallen on my shoulders, after I get baby to sleep I'm going to call subsidy to see if we qualify, but from the sounds of it we don't so we are basically screwed.  I can't afford $530 a month for daycare, LMAO, I'm already drowning in debt as it is"

I have no words.  No. Fucking. Words.

New update today for this person, I didn't think they could top the last one but boy did they find a way. 
They posted a photo of their truck, which is/was a brand new Dodge Ram with the biggest cab I've ever seen, which apparently they had purchased new 3 years ago, along with the following garbage..

"Call us crazy LOL we have traded in our vehicle a million times, but I'd rather be stuck in a vehicle I actually like!! We are in over our head but I don't care!!  One of these days I'll win the lottery :)"

What does it take for someone like this to see the light?  I just don't understand!

Also, today their post was

"Yay for getting ahead! Already paid off our holiday bills! :) "

I wonder when they normally have them paid off by?  I guess any progress is good

[Playing with Fire UK]

Also, today their post was

"Yay for getting ahead! Already paid off our holiday bills! :) "

I wonder when they normally have them paid off by?  I guess any progress is good

This post is oddly hopeful for me. If there were more posts acknowledging debt and celebrating financial progress, there would be more people getting their financial shit together.

What was the response like?

[JAYSLOL]

Also, today their post was

"Yay for getting ahead! Already paid off our holiday bills! :) "

I wonder when they normally have them paid off by?  I guess any progress is good

This post is oddly hopeful for me. If there were more posts acknowledging debt and celebrating financial progress, there would be more people getting their financial shit together.

What was the response like?

A bunch of thumbs up and a couple people saying good job.  Although they got even more thumbs up for that stupid truck photo :(

[Roe]

Also, today their post was

"Yay for getting ahead! Already paid off our holiday bills! :) "

I wonder when they normally have them paid off by?  I guess any progress is good

This post is oddly hopeful for me. If there were more posts acknowledging debt and celebrating financial progress, there would be more people getting their financial shit together.

What was the response like?

Thanks for providing a positive outlook on life.

[iris lily]

My primary reason for having a FB account is to follow the activities of a dog rescue group. I am on the board of directors for that group and i need to know  what is going on. That is the only form of communication we have.

Since I am on the thing, I do peep and sneak looks, pretty often. The FaceBook came in handy this week when I was tracking down someone,a President of a Board for an organization that was not responding to my phone calls asking for them to call me back. I found him via FB, located his company, located his email address, and sent him a rational email message. Within an hour an employee of the organization returned my calls,
Finally.

[Step37]

Just saw one for this thread:

“Costco day! Time to go for $50 worth of stuff and spend $200!”

If I knew the person better, I would comment, “OR, you could make a list and exercise some self control instead!” (And maybe I’d add a winky face.)

It’s really not that hard. Do I go off-list when I go to Costco? Yes, it happens. But pretty much only if it’s something I’d normally buy and it’s on for a reduced price. Those frugality muscles work if you keep using them.

[Just Joe]

Anonymous ways to log into an account that knows you by name and by your circle of friends? Sort of pointless eh?

I might use Facebook if my user name was like the old ICQ where they issued a 7 digit number instead of names and legit addresses.

I suppose the comments sections might be extraordinarily abusive though. Always easy to be a bully when you're anonymous.

[Step37]

I don’t know... I generally avoid reading or commenting on public/controversial things because the comments sections are SO vicious. Some people must have fake profiles that they only use for vicious commenting; sadly, though, I think plenty are just spewing their vitriol from their regular accounts.

That’s why I like this forum so much. It has a very obviously higher level of literacy, intelligence and overall respect than anywhere else I’ve seen on the Internet. There are topics that digress, but they’re easy enough to avoid or skip over.

[Sibley]

I've been cleaning up my old FB activity recently. The history feature that pops up brought up some really old stuff, and I realized that I should probably clean it up. Unfortunately, there really isn't an easy way to delete 10+ years of stuff.

I have noticed that my approach to social media has changed, and I also noticed that how much I post has varied a lot. The more unsettled my life is, the more I posted. I also started posting a lot more when I got a smartphone. I'm probably going to take facebook off the phone and just use the computer, but I sometimes need the messenger app to communicate with people, so that will stay.

There have been times that I'm much more controversial than others. I've also "softened" a bit over time (which is a good thing - I'm BLUNT).

[I'm a red panda]

I've been cleaning up my old FB activity recently. The history feature that pops up brought up some really old stuff, and I realized that I should probably clean it up. Unfortunately, there really isn't an easy way to delete 10+ years of stuff.

I have noticed that my approach to social media has changed, and I also noticed that how much I post has varied a lot. The more unsettled my life is, the more I posted. I also started posting a lot more when I got a smartphone. I'm probably going to take facebook off the phone and just use the computer, but I sometimes need the messenger app to communicate with people, so that will stay.

There have been times that I'm much more controversial than others. I've also "softened" a bit over time (which is a good thing - I'm BLUNT).

There is a way to make all your past posts viewable only to you, even if you can't delete them all.

[Sibley]

I've been cleaning up my old FB activity recently. The history feature that pops up brought up some really old stuff, and I realized that I should probably clean it up. Unfortunately, there really isn't an easy way to delete 10+ years of stuff.

I have noticed that my approach to social media has changed, and I also noticed that how much I post has varied a lot. The more unsettled my life is, the more I posted. I also started posting a lot more when I got a smartphone. I'm probably going to take facebook off the phone and just use the computer, but I sometimes need the messenger app to communicate with people, so that will stay.

There have been times that I'm much more controversial than others. I've also "softened" a bit over time (which is a good thing - I'm BLUNT).

There is a way to make all your past posts viewable only to you, even if you can't delete them all.

I know, but I prefer to delete them in this case. I've had FB change things in the past and surprise me.

[BlueHouse]

Friend bragging that she has 2 sets of washer / dryer (a total of 4 machines). She has 3 kids and is a SAHM. I don't even know where to begin. Is this a thing???

Well, I know someone with two washing machines (no dryers) but then she has 10 kids so I kind of understand wanting to run two loads of laundry at the same time. I'm pretty sure the machines were second hand too. But for normal people, that's completely crazy. Especially as a SAHM, if you're home most of the day, what's the problem of taking stuff in and out of the machine a few times in a row?

I don't really get how some people have such massive loads of laundry. We are a couple without kids and we run 2 loads a week and my fiance has a job where he gets dirty all the time. I can see how some people would get to 3 if they don't dry their towels after use, but I heard someone say they did 6 loads a week... a couple with office jobs, no kids.

I grew up in a household with 8 children.  We NEVER reused towels.  Most of us used 2 or 3 towels per shower (one for wet hair, one to dry the body, and a smaller one to step on).  We had so much laundry, and my mom did all of it.  Every day.  Even when she worked outside the home.  When that's all you know growing up, it doesn't really seem insane.  I can remember though, the very day that my mom LOST IT.  Someone threw a pile of still-folded, clean clothes down the laundry chute.  That someone was too lazy to put the clothes away, so decided to clean his room by putting it all through another cycle and dealing with it when it magically reappeared, folded,  on his chair again.  That someone ruined it for the rest of us! 

For the record, I learned to reuse towels as soon as I went to college and didn't have a place to store 14 towels to get me through the week! 

[dragoncar]

I grew up in a household with 8 children.  We NEVER reused towels. 

 

Oh geeze at first  thought you just threw them away

[mustachepungoeshere]

I grew up in a household with 8 children.  We NEVER reused towels.  Most of us used 2 or 3 towels per shower (one for wet hair, one to dry the body, and a smaller one to step on).  We had so much laundry, and my mom did all of it.  Every day.  Even when she worked outside the home.  When that's all you know growing up, it doesn't really seem insane.

My mum says normal is what you grew up with, but even then...

I had an aunt like that. When she married my uncle, she put out fresh towels every day, so she was washing 14 bath towels, seven hand towels and seven floor mats a week. Then they had five boys and she came to her senses. 

I can remember though, the very day that my mom LOST IT.  Someone threw a pile of still-folded, clean clothes down the laundry chute.  That someone was too lazy to put the clothes away, so decided to clean his room by putting it all through another cycle and dealing with it when it magically reappeared, folded,  on his chair again.  That someone ruined it for the rest of us! 

Your mum could have thrown him down the laundry chute at that point, no-one would have convicted her!

[NoraLenderbee]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

[dragoncar]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxdjPH0JrDM

[SwordGuy]

There is a way to make all your past posts viewable only to you, even if you can't delete them all.

Security about what you put on Facebook is an illusion.   Anyone who wants to can see anything you've posted, commented on, your friend list, etc.

[LeRainDrop]

Looks like I have a frugal friend <3

[Cowardly Toaster]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

Heh a few years in the military will cure them of that.

[barbaz]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

Just check the comments of the blog post where MMM suggests to reuse clothes. “It’s UNSANITARY!!111”

[shelivesthedream]

BlueHouse, the mind seriously boggles. I just...can't even. I absolutely understand that what you grew up with is normal (I remember The Day I Realised Not Everyone Has Non-Stick Pans) but I can barely begin to imagine the logistics involved with that many towels.

[mustachepungoeshere]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

I read a Reddit thread once where a surprising (to me) number of people said their households didn't have allocated towels/towel rails, and they would just use whichever towel felt dry.

I'm no princess but ಠ_ಠ.

[shelivesthedream]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

I read a Reddit thread once where a surprising (to me) number of people said their households didn't have allocated towels/towel rails, and they would just use whichever towel felt dry.

I'm no princess but ಠ_ಠ.

Yeah, ew... We had colour-coded towels, and it's really not that hard to sharpie a name on if you want all the same colour (or have so many family members that all the colours would give you a headache!). We each had two towels, one on the rail and one in the wash/cupboard. My husband and I have the same regime but allocated hooks with all towels being white*.

*Something I have embraced from the "how to make your home easier to clean and maintain" thread: all household linens are white. Uniform, bleachable, hot-washable. Yes, spilled food shows up immediately on the tablecloth, but white can take a lot of laundering and everything is the same and will always go with whatever paint colours we choose in whatever house. Our napkins have had everything from soy sauce to turmeric-heavy curry on them and they've come up spotless.

[Raenia]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

I read a Reddit thread once where a surprising (to me) number of people said their households didn't have allocated towels/towel rails, and they would just use whichever towel felt dry.

I'm no princess but ಠ_ಠ.

Our house didn't have space for individual towel rails in the bathroom, so if I wanted to keep my own towel I had to hang it to dry in my room instead.  Fortunately, all the bedroom doors had these handy hooks on them...

[partgypsy]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

I read a Reddit thread once where a surprising (to me) number of people said their households didn't have allocated towels/towel rails, and they would just use whichever towel felt dry.

I'm no princess but ಠ_ಠ.

Our house didn't have space for individual towel rails in the bathroom, so if I wanted to keep my own towel I had to hang it to dry in my room instead.  Fortunately, all the bedroom doors had these handy hooks on them...

My kids are under the impression that towels can only be used once, and then thrown on floor/ hamper. I explain, if you hang back on the towel warmer (it dries and warms the towel) you can use it 2, 3 times before throwing in hamper. The kids have favorite towels they use (beach towels actually), but especially oldest will use the towel just once and then start using up the other towels. this is for normal use. If someone is genuinely sweaty/dirty then OK to throw dirty/sweaty towel in wash.

[infogoon]

I suppose the comments sections might be extraordinarily abusive though. Always easy to be a bully when you're anonymous.

I think this is actually Twitter's corporate mission statement.

[Dabnasty]

I read a forum where quite a few people use a fresh towel every time they shower, and think it's gross not to. Many of them also use a fresh washcloth every day. Then there are the ones who think that any piece of clothing that touches skin must be washed after a single wearing, including jeans. They spend a lot of time doing laundry.  Others feel it's gross to ever share a *bathroom* with another person (to use the same bathroom at different times). How do these people live in the real world?

I read a Reddit thread once where a surprising (to me) number of people said their households didn't have allocated towels/towel rails, and they would just use whichever towel felt dry.

I'm no princess but ಠ_ಠ.

Our house didn't have space for individual towel rails in the bathroom, so if I wanted to keep my own towel I had to hang it to dry in my room instead.  Fortunately, all the bedroom doors had these handy hooks on them...

My kids are under the impression that towels can only be used once, and then thrown on floor/ hamper. I explain, if you hang back on the towel warmer (it dries and warms the towel) you can use it 2, 3 times before throwing in hamper. The kids have favorite towels they use (beach towels actually), but especially oldest will use the towel just once and then start using up the other towels. this is for normal use. If someone is genuinely sweaty/dirty then OK to throw dirty/sweaty towel in wash.

If they are dirty/sweaty by the time they get to the towel stage of bathing they're doing it wrong :)

Personally I just use the same towel until I can smell it, could be several weeks or more than a month in winter when the air is dry. That's with 5-6 showers/week due to sweaty exercise. I'm sure some people will see this as gross but I always wonder why a number of uses is what qualifies "gross". If the towel doesn't stink and doesn't make me stink I'm fine with it. After all, towels getting dirty is mostly a matter of rate of drying. A quick drying towel will last a long time because mildew never has a chance to grow and for the most part I only put clean water on the towel.

[Just Joe]

I can make a towel and my jeans last a week pretty easily. Shirts I can get a couple of wears out of during cooler weather.

Our kids think everything lasts one use. We're progressing towards them doing their own laundry so we'll see how they feel after that happens.

I knew someone who always seemed to be buying new washer/dryers. At one point we had the same set they did. Their's lasted just a few years and our's lasted 15+ years. After a while I realized that they belong to the one wear/one use universe and were/are washing an incredible amount of laundry every week.

The cost of that and the amount of work it represents is nuts. No wonder it was an unhappy chore.

[shelivesthedream]

My mother used to take things out of our laundry baskets and put them back in our rooms if she thought they weren't really dirty. Not in a horrific way, but in the sense of "I know for a fact you have worn those jeans exactly once to sit around the house all day. They are not dirty and therefore do not need to be washed." That cured us pretty quickly when we got lazy/over-reliant on the laundry fairy.