LinkedIn is LinkedIn, Not Tinder !

I am writing this post in absolute frustration and disappointment, that how smartly we convert a professional networking website into any other “Dating Site” or a “Social Media Platform” that allows you to be casual with anybody! As per my limited understanding, LinkedIn is a platform where you connect with professionals from different fields, having varied experiences for “professional” favours and conversations… Mind me when I say “Professional conversations”. 

Now from some of the recent experiences I had, I came across a lot of people who do not know what a professional conversation means. So here I am, penning all the crap that does not fall in the “Professional Conversation” limits. Every single point here, is as per my perspective and opinion, you are free to differ.

1.       Using the word “Dear”

I have big problem when people who I don’t know address me as “Hello Dear”. I mean, what were you thinking when you typed your way to “D-E-A-R”? Are you my go-to friend? Are you my mentor? Or am I your long standing partner in any way? Ask yourself these questions before hitting the “Send” button.

If you and i don’t know each other at a personal level and if we are not the best of buddies, you don’t get to call me “Dear”. But if you still choose to address me as “Dear”, please be ready with an explanation and criteria based on which you took the risk.

As simple as that!

Call me by my name, and I will hear you out. But call me “Dear”, and that message goes directly into my spam folder (& you get blocked, I assume you get that).

2.       Wishing Birthday 

When you wish someone “Happy Birthday” on LinkedIn (in this case, me!), and “Thank you” comes the courteous reply, it marks the end of a conversation. Unless I fairly know you, either personally or professionally, I will not discuss my Party plans and Cake cutting ceremony details with you! So please stop asking me.

It was my birthday a few days back, and there were a lot of generous people to have wished me. But some of them really didn’t know where to draw the line. I had people texting me “So where is my piece of cake haan?”, “Where is my return gift?” and “When are you inviting me to your Birthday party?” !!! And I am sitting here wondering what’s wrong with them?

I have screenshots of at least 8-10 people, who have sent me these really annoying messages in the last 1 week. Consider this as my humblest request to refrain from sending such irrelevant messages. Believe me, it is going to do no good.   

3.      I like your Smile

“Well guess what? I don’t like yours!” is usually my first thought when professional connections on LinkedIn drop me such messages. I mean, when the Vice Presidents and Presidents of fairly known organizations, drop you messages like “I like your smile” or “You have beautiful eyes” and “We should meet for coffee sometime”, it really gets me thinking as to where are we headed with a website like LinkedIn?

You don’t say these things on a professional networking website. Had it been Tinder or any other equivalent platform, I am sure the receiver would have gotten excited. But its LinkedIn dude, there’s a thing known as “Professional Limits”, and these remarks fall nowhere even close to it.

4.      Using SMS Language

a.      SMS Language is such a passé. And if you are still using it on a platform like LinkedIn while connecting with them, it is nothing less than a turn off.

b.     What exactly do you achieve by saving a few syllables here and there?

c.      To me, using SMS Language shows lack of seriousness in whatever it is that you are pitching. If you cannot even commit yourself to write one whole sentence, then I don’t see things materialize between us. Period.

I really wish people realize LinkedIn is LinkedIn for a reason. Let’s not turn it into a Facebook or even worse, a Tinder !