Facebook: A rant about a popular procrastination tool
Last weekend, I went to Belgium. I took the train from London to Brussels, where I'd booked a hostel. Partly because I needed a short break from life in general, and also because I'd had this crazy idea of going there to see Hooverphonic in concert before the singer left the band.

Fortunately, my excursion was successful, and I was also quite impressed with the hostel - pleasant enough room, free hot drinks in the morning (albeit from a machine), and four or five computers set up in the kitchen / common area for free internet access.

So I got up the following morning and wandered down to get a cup of (free) coffee and a waffle. The first thing I noticed was that the computers were rammed.

Now I'd made a conscious decision that I was not going to use the internet, let alone check my emails, while I was away. But everyone else was queuing up...all, it would seem, to get onto Facebook.

WHY? I ask you. Why would you travel to a foreign country and make it your immediate and urgent priority to tell the internet about it? Why not enjoy the moment - enjoy the fact that you've got a foreign city* to explore, and no obligation to talk to anybody back home.

It wasn't so long ago that you'd be grateful to be away from the ties of "back home" for a couple of days - and hell, if you felt guilty then you'd send Mum and Dad a frigging postcard - you'd be grateful for the freedom to explore and enjoy the lack of obligation to be in touch with people. So why have we all, apparently, taken to clocking in every morning just to remind ourselves of how fucking boring everything still is back home?

It depresses me slightly.

*_{Yes, I realise I'm talking about Belgium...}
(LongJohnBaldry, Fri 14 Nov 2008, 17:38, 5 replies)

for all too many people....
it's not the experience of travelling that's important. it's the boring everyone shitless by blogging about it ;)
( gypsy turnips, Fri 14 Nov 2008, 20:11, closed)

I know the feeling.
Facebook was a godsend when I was on my year abroad and missed my friends (or wanted to PM someone to organise something without having to invite Stalker Girl) but I'm trying to wean myself off it.

How badly delayed were you on the way to Brussels and back? You might be owed nice things.
( Maladicta, Fri 14 Nov 2008, 23:58, closed)

i live abroad
and when finding a place to live the internet was one of the musts on my list

i must say it has helped to have that facebook/msn blanket there for when things get a bit ahhhhhhhhhhhh... even taught my old dear to use msn messenger- bless her

save a fortune on postcards and texts
(jenko83, Sat 15 Nov 2008, 6:42, closed)

@Maladicta
The biggest surprise was that both my trains departed and arrived in good time, with a smooth, uneventful journey. Which seems a bit of a surprise compared to all the horror stories I've heard from other b3tans.

Perhaps I was just really lucky: the worst thing that happened was I picked up a bit of a cold, but that's probably my own fault for snoring when I sleep.
(LongJohnBaldry, Sat 15 Nov 2008, 12:14, closed)

I check Facebook when I'm on holiday
but I don't change my status or message anyone or anything, in case they think I'm sad...
(Binary Solo loves a bit of algebra, Mon 17 Nov 2008, 10:45, closed)