It's your birthday. The staples of the day; cake, a gift(s), going out with family/friends, etc. In recent years, this also includes the many Facebook posts you'll get saying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Most people either write a generic "thank you" on the other person's wall, or says "thanks for the wishes" on their status.
Boring, right?
There is a way you can make the most of this innocent gesture. This will take more time, but write back to every single person who wrote to you. And by this, don't just say thanks. Ask how they're doing, what their plans are for the near future, or if anything good has happened to them lately. By doing this, you allow the opportunity to expand your connections and really make the most out of them. Additionally - and this is why I bring this tip here - you'll possibly get to know some HBs who wrote on your wall better.
A few weeks ago, I tried this whole thing out. A HB 8.5 who I had only met one or two times at school wrote on my wall, so I asked what her plans were for the summer. Turns out, she doesn't live all that far from me. We wrote back and forth a couple of times, where she mentioned
twice how things by her have been boring. Obviously, I take this as a hint that she'd be up for something. Sure enough, when she returns from a short vacation this week, she will let me know her plans (and hopefully we're able to do something).
In short: When people write happy birthday on your wall, write back and ask them questions. You never know what could come of it. At the very worst, you'll get to know people you didn't know as well better. It's a win-win situation. 
06-15-2010, 10:53 PM
