Sometime in my past I was guilty of being at a party or two and having a little too much to drink. I know I probably said and did some crazy things, but my fellow revelers forgave me because they were being pretty crazy too. Though the expression hadn’t been coined yet, everyone adhered to the tacit consent of “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas” rule. We seldom had to worry about how our behavior would look in the bright glare of daylight because, by then, nobody could remember most of it anyway. Now, thanks to technology, everything has changed.
These days cellphones have become an essential party accessory. Now party goers can easily share their fun with everyone on Facebook, Twitter and other sites. Multiple pictures can accompany the ode to camaraderie and alcohol. The more fun they’re having, the more they share. And by the bright glare of daylight – it’s all still there.
Imagine you, as the party goer, still sleeping off the affects of the past night, while all of your sane and sober ‘friends’ and followers are reading your posts. There’s a good chance they just won’t see the humor of you being tagged in a photo with your shirt pulled up over your head. And how about that moon shot? Surely your boss has a sense of humor right? By the time you actually check-in to your social media sites, even you might have second thoughts about where the line of appropriateness is, but by then it’s too late.
Just like responsible drinkers designate drivers, responsible drinkers should designate thinkers. Turn over your cellphone and car keys to someone you can trust to keep you safe in both your physical and online lives. People who are not fit to drive are likely not fit enough to post updates either. To keep what happens in Vegas in Vegas, keep your hands off your mobile devices and get your party friends to agree to the same. That way you won’t have to apologize or explain anything to your online list of friends and followers that is made up of everyone from your school days to friends, relatives (young and old) and employers (past, present and future).
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