Is LinkedIn a businessplatform or more?

Dear LinkedIn community, dear LinkedIn network, usually I don’t post much on LinkedIn, except for my Blog, which is already a while ago. Today though, there is a problem I want to discuss with you. Because I don’t think I’m the only one with this problem, please bear with me.

As a longtime member of the LinkedIn community, I value this business platform and have build up carefully my large network here. Also, I regularly actualize my profile, repost important posts that catch my eye and value personal messages or contact requests.

It is a whole other level though, when messages get too personal, or when someone, who doesn’t even belong to my direct network, uses my personal e-mail, to send me a personal message, which happened this week and it wasn’t the first time something like this has happened.

He wrote, and I quote: ?I was on a search for a former employer on the network when I came across your LinkedIn profile picture which left me no choice but to stop and stare at your gorgeous eyes and beautiful smile which struck a part of me and I cound’t have gone another day without saying ?Hello beautiful?. I have never gone against protocols of the LinkedIn network, but you left me no choice.? Maybe these feelings might be true, or maybe not, but frankly: I don't care.

Now, some of you might say this is harmless and I should be flattered, but the fact is, that to me this does feel as an intrusion into my privat sfere. Besides the fact that I’m happily married for 20 years, I wouldn’t have been interested at all otherwise, because I consider LinkedIn to be a BUSINESSplatform only. If I were to be interested in romance or friendship, I could register an online dating platform, couldn’t I?

This event presented me with a dilemma. Do I leave LinkedIn, including my whole network and useful Jobtips? I don’t want to. It took me a long time and much care, to build up my network, which I don’t want to loose.

Do I change my profile picture for an unflattering one, or leave it out completely? I don’t want to. There is nothing wrong with my profile picture: it is professional and it is to leave a good impression to my contacts.

Yes, I did change my private settings, so no one should see my e-mail anymore. But I don’t think this is a real solution to this problem, is it?

The same has happened on another business platform, on which I'm not active anymore, as well. People obviously think, because of a profile picture on a business platform, they have the right to aproach you with their personal feelings, without knowing you at all.

So here’s the thing: why don’t we keep LinkedIn to be a safe, professional, businessplatform, without having to fear such personal approaches or feel uncomfortable being on LinkedIn? Personally I would certainly appreciate this and I hope all of you do.