MEMORANDUM
TO: Men all over the planet
FROM: Melissa
RE: Show me you poker face
DATE: September 28, 2009
The whole poking phenomenon on Facebook has always mystified and intrigued me. Not so much for the creepiness factor (though I suppose it could be creepy if you’re getting poked by random strangers….), but for this simple reason: I have virtually no idea what the collective meaning is of said pokes.
What exactly are you trying to do when you ‘poke’ someone? That’s the million-dollar question that’s been running through my mind for years, actually.
I’ve heard arguments from many camps on the poke’s true intention. Some say it’s merely a way of saying HEY to someone and nothing more. Others say it’s a subtle form of FLIRTING, as in “I like you and would like to poke you (and more?) in real time, so I’m sending you this virtual poke as a signal” like it’s the animal equivalent of the mating call in the wild.
Why am I so obsessed with decoding this little riddle? Because of my deep-rooted hopeless romantic nature, and of course because of my three-month poking war with Facebook Flirt last year. The guy just throws me off my whole game; from my end, I know why I keep poking him: Because he’s HOT, funny, sweet and of course I’d like to get to know him better. Oh yeah, and I’d LOVE to poke him in real time.
But why did he keep the poking going? Oh, yeah, and even more questionable: Why did he just suddenly stop? A lion in the wild doesn’t just simply lose interest during prime mating season, does he? Guys, let’s me serious here: That’s just not your standard MO, is it?
So I’m left to wonder (irritatingly, in fact): Was he merely indulging that crazy girl from the cornfields? I feel like I’ve been pranked and still can’t find that damn hidden camera. It’s not a very fun position to be in. Really. It’s not. At. All.
Seriously, though, what are your thoughts? What is the real meaning behind the elusive Facebook poke?
[Photos via dustjacketattic]
Man Candy Monday.
Love Lounge: The Virginity Taboo.
Have a fantastic weekend
Must-watch TV show: Damages
The Bare Essentials Today says
That is a really good question! I have no idea what those pokes are and what they mean. I actually just find them kinda annoying and usually ignore them when they come in. If you figure out the true meaning, let me know!
Sparky says
That's a good question! For me, its a mixture of everything.
For some of my friends, its just our way of saying "hey, im still alive, and I havent forgotten you"
For others it was a war, to see who could poke the longest without giving up through sheer boredom and annoyance
and then for others its a flirty thing.
So, in short I reckon it entirely depends on who the person is that youre poking.
For me, I dont really care about the whole poke thing, I can take it or leave it.
Anonymous says
Honey, it means nothing. Just another internet thing. Would you think it was flirting if someone "bit" you in a Vampire game or threw a sheep at you? It's nothing.
Sandra says
I disabled pokes on my page because I thought they were horribly annoying. I think it all depends on who you are poking. I think it's idiotic but that just might be me.
If you are curious as to why he stopped poking, maybe he got bored. Perhaps you should send him another one and see if he does it back, or write him a message and say hello.
I wouldn't try to read too far in between the lines. Poking is innocent and harmless, or at least I think so.
Michell says
I'm inclined to say your friend stopping the war out of the blue is indeed his/men's MO.
Hollehh says
I have no idea what a poke is really, even though I've been having a 'poke' war with my friend, sometimes you don't see it when you've been poked, or forget about it, maybe thats why he stoppeD?