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What's a good way to tell people who ask for my contact info that I don't do social media without sounding unintentionally condescending? (hexbear.net)

submitted 7 months ago by TheDeed@hexbear.net to c/askchapo@hexbear.net

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Sometimes people I just met (in a platonic context) will ask me things like "hey, what's your Instagram, let's keep in touch!"

My standard answer is that I don't do social media, but I have found that people take it as bragging perhaps? I get answers like "oh, good for you! I wish I didn't" or whatever.

If I say oh here's my number that seems too odd these days, people not that much younger than me (I'm 31) don't seem to text anymore. They use fb messenger or Instagram or others.

Also saying something like "I'm a privacy advocate and I use the fediverse" is also an odd thing to say unless I'm around techy people and even then it's weird tbh.

How do I approach this? I don't think I am better than people that use social media, its just not for me. I would prefer to text but I am not sure that works for a lot of people.

Or should I just bite the bullet and get an Instagram so that I don't seem weird, and then perhaps ask for further contact details via that platform?

Abstaining from social media can be extremely alienating.

autistic btw if you couldn't tell lmao, I have spent a lot of time thinking about this problem

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[–] MeowZedong@lemmygrad.ml 12 points 7 months ago

Besides Lemmy, I'm the same. I don't think there's anything wrong with your approach, it doesn't sound condescending to me, but you also don't need to justify why you don't have social media unless you want to (if you are). It mostly sounds like you're overthinking things to me.

"I only have text" or "I don't use social media, but here's how you can get ahold of me" "I don't have Instagram, but I can give you my number" are what I would say. Keep it simple and offer an alternative form of contact.

If they ask you why you don't use social media, then you can explain if you want, but unless they probe you for more, I'd keep it simple. Why don't you use social media? "I'm a privacy advocate." "I don't like it." "It's just not my thing/not for me." "I'm happier without it."