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Sunday 26 October 2014

Norwegian vs Viet facebookers: some observations (or generalisations)

Note: Probably limited, based on people I know or have observed who may or may not be in my friendlist, and not without exceptions.


- Norwegians use fb to keep in touch with friends. Viets, besides wishing to keep in touch with friends, can also use fb as a tool for sharing news and talking politics (because freedom of speech is restricted and all newspapers are state-owned). 
- Norwegians post little and post hardly anything personal and thus can show their timelines to anyone, even teachers, employers, ex-girlfriends/ boyfriends, enemies, the police, etc. Viets post a lot, but can be divided into 2 groups- those that use fb for fun and never deal with politics, and those that use fb for sharing articles and advocating democracy. People in the 1st group can post lots of very personal stuff on fb, from what they have eaten/ bought/ done/ said... during the day, to how angry or disgusted someone has made them feel, even when that "someone" is their teacher, mother-in-law, husband/ wife, employer, etc. People in the 2nd group, even when having fb friends that they don't know in real life, because of their purpose, can still share details that they'd better keep to themselves. Those that only deal with politics and treat their timelines like a newspaper of sort are extremely rare.
- Norwegians can be very different on fb and in real life because, posting little, they don't reveal much about themselves. Viets tend to reveal a lot.
- Norwegians spend most time on the newsfeed. Viets spend time on the newsfeed as well as their own timelines.
- Norwegians spend most time reading other people's posts, i.e. stalking. Viets spend most time posting statuses, photos, videos, notes.
- Norwegians can see everything but rarely leave a trace. Viets like often and comment often.
- Norwegians' posts have relatively few comments. Viets' posts can sometimes have numerous comments, even hundreds of comments below 1 single status. 
- Norwegians often read without liking. Viets can like without reading. 
- Norwegians send messages and only write on their friends' timelines when what they want to say is very general or trivial and unimportant. Viets can have a conversation right on the timeline, where everyone can read.
- Norwegians know most of their fb friends and rarely accept friend requests from those they don't personally know. Viets can have fb friends they've never met and perhaps will never meet, especially when they aim to help others know about the lack of freedom and violations of human rights in VN, which aren't reported by the media. 
- Norwegians often present a picture of themselves being happy and having a good life. Viets can pour our their anger and grievances right on fb.
- Norwegians rarely use selfies as profile pictures. Viets do so more often, and also change them more often.
- Norwegians nearly always use their real names. Viets often use nicknames.
- Norwegians nearly always use photos of themselves as profile pictures. Viets can use celebrities' photos, pictures, symbols, images supporting a cause, etc.
- Norwegians never use their national flag as a profile picture (at least I've never seen it). Viets can do that, especially pro-communist people on Independence day and some other holidays; extremist Southerners can also use the yellow flag as a profile picture.
- Norwegians don't often tag others; and when they tag someone in a photo, it's almost always because that person appears in the photo. Viets tag often, and most of the time, in order to tell friends to see/ read/ watch something.
- Norwegians don't always share (though they may do so on tumblr). Viets share almost everything interesting or funny they come across.
- Norwegians' timelines hardly have anything to see. Viets' timelines are flooded.
- Norwegians generally don't write notes. Viets generally do.
- Norwegians rarely express opinions about politics and social issues, which they can do elsewhere. Viets of the 2nd group always do and don't only discuss Vietnamese politics; e.g. these days everyone's been focusing on the Umbrella Revolution in HK. 
- Norwegians don't necessarily make a remark when it's a holiday or any special day. Viets always do when it's an important holiday, and wish friends to have a happy one.


That's all I can think of right now. 

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