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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Tell Me Why I Should Use Foursquare

You realize that I'm a seriously paranoid person, right?


I don't like to give out the name of my exact town.  I never mention the names of my boys' schools.  We have a P.O. box in a nearby town for when I need to give my address for something blog-related.  My husband often travels for work, though I usually don't mention when he's out of town until he's about to come back.


So, the idea of turning on my location for my tweets or using Foursquare freaks me out.


Like I said, I'm paranoid.  So, advertising exactly where I am makes me nervous.


I've heard people say that they only "check in" somewhere on Foursquare when they are about to leave.


But, a problem that I see with that is let's say I check in at Target on my way out the door. Okay, no harm done. Except that anyone can now see what town I live in.  And the next time I'm headed to Target, I'll probably tweet something like "Will not get sucked in to Target's Dollar Spot this time. #willpower"


And then some stalker will think Oh, she's going to Target. I know what Target she's going to. I'll hide out in my kidnapper van and grab one of her kids when she comes out.


Stop laughing at me.


I realize I'm paranoid. And a kidnapper would probably give my kids back after 5 minutes anyway.


Still. I can't get over the idea that Foursquare gives out more information than I'm comfortable with.


But, I was also a Facebook holdout for a long time.  And I resisted Twitter.  Even though I'm still not a huge fan of Facebook, I am on there. And I'm addicted to Twitter. @shellthings in case we aren't following each other on there yet.


And I've heard that Foursquare will be like that at some point- something that everyone is on. Are you on Foursquare?  Why or why not?

Labels: , ,

104 Comments:

Blogger Missy said...

Never heard of this until you wrote about it and your paranoia lol. Seems it may NOT be "as big" (or bigger than) Twitter.

I don't think I'd join it.

April 19, 2011 at 7:05 AM  
Blogger The Blonde Duck said...

I wouldn't be!

April 19, 2011 at 7:28 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I am not sure I would want to do this either.

April 19, 2011 at 7:38 AM  
Blogger SharleneT said...

It's bad enough that FB has invaded every site we visit and can show anyone what our interests are, this is just another invasion into our private lives that has no real solid reason to exist, other than to let everyone know what you're doing every second. NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW THIS! We've survived for thousands of years with the dignity of privacy and, as in Jurassic Park, just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should. It appears innocent enough, now, but when you're robbed (because they know you're not home, or your children are photographed and put on the web, or any other unforeseen horror takes place (because there's a world of sick nuts out there, too), it will be too late to worry. [Climbing down off soapbox.] Have a great day, doing whatever, whenever, and however, you want!

April 19, 2011 at 7:39 AM  
Anonymous Tiffany @ No Ordinary Homestead said...

Foursquare is fun for the serious techie but it's not a must. Some places offer discounts and specials to people via Foursquare -- and if you're there the most often in 60 days you get to be the "mayor" and might get offers if the business is clued in.

It's really still something that is just catching on. And you can turn off all the notifications to twitter and Facebook so no one knows where you are.

I love the tech stuff so I use it when I remember -- plus I do a lot of internet consulting & one of our gigs is local marketing so it's a pretty big deal :)

April 19, 2011 at 7:40 AM  
Blogger Fields said...

Honestly, It kind of annoys me when people post where they are checking in. Maybe I just don't get the point of it.

April 19, 2011 at 7:43 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm not on Foursquare. I was a twitter hold out, but I love that twitter doesn't really give out lots od informations. Facebook wants all 365 of my closest friends to know everything about me, so that makes me nervous. I mean, I'm on Facebook, but just for personal use. My blog is not attached.

I don't think I will be using Foursquare. Too scary.

April 19, 2011 at 7:47 AM  
Blogger Sarah said...

No way! I don't get the appeal -it's like inviting stalkers!!

April 19, 2011 at 7:54 AM  
Blogger Sorta Southern Single Mom said...

I'm with you on this... too paranoid...need to go get that PO Box and it always flips me out when someone has that widget on the side of their blog that says, "A person from town, state has visited this blog" and everyone can see where you are from..

I still don't do twitter!

April 19, 2011 at 8:18 AM  
Blogger Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Nope, not on Foursquare. I'm another hold out. I also try to be careful about what information I give out (never mentioning a town name or county name) but truth be told, if someone wanted to find us that bad I think they could. Just trusting in good things not bad :-)

April 19, 2011 at 8:22 AM  
Blogger Natalie said...

I'm with you...not that it would happen but it just takes one person crazy enough out there to take advantage of that information.

April 19, 2011 at 8:28 AM  
Blogger VandyJ said...

I am so not tech savvy. My cell is still just a standard cell, not a smart phone. I turned off the feature in Facebook that told where I was. There are some things the world just doesn't need to know.

April 19, 2011 at 8:31 AM  
Blogger KSK said...

I have had WAY to many dreams where I have been abducted... and not by aliens.. just evil strangers...to want to let people know where I'm at! I'm with you on secrecy in blog land... I probably shouldn't post pics though.. and I LOVE your P.O. box idea!
I'm not a twitterbug (I'd probably neglect my daughter if I were) and I'm picky about my FB friends and info. A little paranoia is a good thing in a society of personal information overload!! :)

April 19, 2011 at 8:42 AM  
Blogger Barbara said...

I don't know if I would be paranoid but it kind of annoyse me when I see where people are checking into...sometimes I just don't care

April 19, 2011 at 8:44 AM  
Blogger Jen said...

I am with you, I don't understand FourSquare either. I just seems like you are asking for trouble.

I actually read a blog post about someone who tweeted a FourSquare location and then one of her twitter followers who she didn't know showed up at the restaurant to 'talk' to her.

Um Hello, stalker and SCARY!

April 19, 2011 at 8:50 AM  
Blogger Jessica said...

Totally agree with you on this one, no foursquare for me. I wish I had been more anonymous with things from the beginning as you have. Scary to think others can find us so easily and foursquare seems like just leading them right to us. No thanks!

April 19, 2011 at 8:52 AM  
Blogger The Mommyologist said...

OMG Foursquare is the BEST. And nobody has to see it if you don't want them to. It's optional to link it to FB or Twitter. I don't have it linked to my Twitter, only my personal FB page, and those people are already my friends so they know where I live, etc.

It's so fun on FS when you become the mayor of a place. And sometimes you get special discounts for being the mayor, etc.

I'll take the fancy titles where I can get 'em...LOL.

April 19, 2011 at 8:55 AM  
Blogger Evonne said...

I guess I'll be the oddball and admit I use Foursquare, although I don't use it too often.

I understand your paranoia, but a friend of my husband actually had a good experience using it. Some drunk girl did a hit and run on his car. He used Foursquare to find her.

April 19, 2011 at 9:01 AM  
Blogger SLM said...

I do NOT for the exact same reasons as you!!

April 19, 2011 at 9:14 AM  
Blogger John said...

I am on Foursquare, but use it very specifically. I check in only when I'm playing a concert or some big public event where I'm hoping people will come up to see me.

If I'm with my band, or playing a musical, here I am. Check in so that I can know you were there. Heck, we'll get together for a beer after the show.

Otherwise, no - nothing. My local Monday hideout just started throwing promotions for number of check-ins . . . a free appetizer with your 5th check-in. A free beer with your 10th. I'm tempted - but, really, I'm there to hide-out. We'll see if my want for free food ever wins out there.

April 19, 2011 at 9:17 AM  
Blogger KLZ said...

No to FourSquare. No to turning on my tweet location. No to turning on my Instagram location.

It's not paranoid, it's safe.

But then, I was raised by a highly paranoid man so take from that what you will.

April 19, 2011 at 9:24 AM  
Blogger Samantha said...

I wrote a blog about FourSquare one day last month. I have a FB friend check in every time she farts! It drives me crazy, plus, really...you're giving creepers full access to your life and where you are. You are just asking for it! I won't do it, ever. I don't want people to know where I am.

April 19, 2011 at 9:30 AM  
Blogger Teresa Kander said...

Didn't even know Foursquare existed till I read this...and I don't use the "check in" feature anywhere, so it doesn't interest me in the least. I'll just stick to my blog,FB and Twitter!

April 19, 2011 at 9:35 AM  
Blogger Julia Ladewski said...

i don't have a smart phone or 4square. i typically don't say where i'm going ("Hey! I'm going to Target!") but i might say where I went when I got back. I typically don't say "Hubby is out of town all day" or we're leaving for the weekend! And as excited as I am about talking about our future Disney trip, I won't say when we're leaving. i highly doubt there are people out there stalking me, but you never know. better safe than sorry

April 19, 2011 at 9:37 AM  
Anonymous Cort said...

I am the same way! I don't want ANYONE knowing where I am at a given moment without my expressed consent. Letting the world know how often I swing past taco bell on the way home from my daycare run ... is my dirty laundry. It's not for anyone to know about! I don't know if I'm being conceited thinking that someone might be interested in stalking little ol' me...but lets not take that chance!

I hate 4square and hate seeing others posts from it.

Rant over.

April 19, 2011 at 9:40 AM  
Blogger dancing_lemur said...

I thought the same thing about Foursquare. BUT - you have total control over a) who you follow and who follows you and b) where it is broadcast. I absolutely turned off the autoposts to Facebook and Twitter - I don't want the planet knowing where I am, either.

Benefits: Lots of businesses are catching on, and you can get freebies and discounts when you check in. For example, I did a first time check in at my local radio shack and got 20% off my purchase. And coffee shops are doing a "check in here 10 times, get a free beverage" type deals.

April 19, 2011 at 9:42 AM  
Blogger Kim said...

I don't do foursquare, but it is mostly because my small town doesnt have much to check in, too. I also don't want people to know my every move all day. My whole life isn't social media and it doesn't need to be. At least for me that is what I have to stick with.

April 19, 2011 at 9:48 AM  
Blogger Sara said...

As of right now, I'm anti- Four Square. That could change, but I don't like the idea of people knowing where I am, or have been, or could be in the future.

Also, I don't care where other people are. I think that info is on a need to know basis. If it's important enough, use FB or Twitter.

April 19, 2011 at 9:49 AM  
Blogger Jenn said...

I don't think it's a problem to do it on your PRIVATE account, but I wouldn't do it from your blogg/public platform. I'm way to paranoid, too. Did you get that email I sent last week about turning off your location when you take pics on your smart phone? Super scary!!

April 19, 2011 at 9:56 AM  
Blogger Jennifer said...

I can't stand FourSquare and I hate seeing the updates come through. I don't care where you are at every minute of the day. I also don't like the "places" app on Facebook and I have it turned off.

I saw someone on Twitter one day check in at her child's school. All I could think was, "great, now I know where your kid goes to school." Not smart in my opinion.

April 19, 2011 at 10:05 AM  
Blogger Julie said...

I was born without a paranoid gene (or even an intelligent one). I live in the world of "We are all perfectly safe" - probably to a dangerous extent.

When I see posts like this I think, "Huh. I really SHOULD give more thought to the way I live my life. At least for my kids' sake."

I don't lock doors or worry. I just don't.

Having said that, I don't do FourSquare either. Because I seriously don't care where other people are.

I don't understand the interest.

Am I missing something? Besides my keys, that is...

April 19, 2011 at 10:09 AM  
Blogger Erin said...

I signed up but to be honest with you, I always forget to check in places. :P

April 19, 2011 at 10:14 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I signed up for Four Square, but I don't use it, precisely for the reasons you've given in this post. Well, sort of. I don't have kids, so I'm more afraid that someone will kidnap me. I'm more comfortable using the Facebook check-in service, because I'm only friends with people on Facebook that I actually like. I just did this mass deletion of a bunch of people I "know," but never actually communicate with. My friends' list was clogged and I wanted to drain it. So, I don't really have a problem with people I actually like seeing where I'm at. But Four Square? Eh...I don't know. It's still a little unnerving. I guess it's the same concept. You're only friends with people you approve. Twitter is the one to look out for. Now that could get dangerous.

April 19, 2011 at 10:18 AM  
Blogger The Random Blogette said...

I so agree with you! I think that it is crazy to let people know where you are. Not only does it worry me that someone will come and kidnap me but people will also know that I am not home and break into my house. No thank you!

April 19, 2011 at 10:23 AM  
Blogger Hutch said...

I'm not as secretive about where I live, but I totally get the paranoia. For some reason on FB it doesn't bother me as much.

April 19, 2011 at 10:39 AM  
Blogger Lisa said...

Not on it because I don't see why people would care where I am every waking moment of my life. :)

April 19, 2011 at 10:43 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

My husband & I are on FS with some people from work. We have fun stealing mayorships from each other. Though he works for the media, so he is always beating me! He let's me have the mayorships at work. Of course I don't have that many followers, so stalking doesn't scare me.

April 19, 2011 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger MommaKiss said...

I think foursquare is the dumbest thing ever. Leave it on the playground.

April 19, 2011 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger Diane said...

Never heard of it but that's just craziness. I will definitely NOT be foursquarin' it!

April 19, 2011 at 11:06 AM  
Blogger Kir said...

we are kindred spirits my friend, I have no issue with people knowing where I am in theory, but even FB got old when I realized that I didn't want to put my every single thought online...and for people to know where I am...FOR WHAT???

I too resisted FB and twitter (and became addicted like you) but FS and I are not going to have any kind of relationship, although I would almost welcome a kidnapping if they'd let me nap for a few days before giving me back to my family. ;)

April 19, 2011 at 11:10 AM  
Blogger Toni said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

April 19, 2011 at 11:13 AM  
Blogger Toni said...

No way! I turned off any "location" services on my cell phone and iPod, too. I try to avoid any way stalkers could find me. I'm totally paranoid.

If it were up to my husband, I wouldn't even post pictures of my kid on the internet. He is not a fan. I have every privacy setting there is on Facebook, though.

April 19, 2011 at 11:14 AM  
Blogger Macey said...

I turned off all the location services for my cell and laptop as well.
I don't think it's being paranoid. In this day and age it's just being smart and proactive.
I don't use Foursquare and don't plan on it.

April 19, 2011 at 11:24 AM  
Blogger Nicole said...

I never never use those location thingies. Talk about an invitation for stalking or breaking into your house! Eeep!

April 19, 2011 at 11:32 AM  
Blogger Kristina P. said...

I have a friend who uses it and it posts her location on her FB status. I know where she is at all times. I am creepy, so I enjoy it.

April 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM  
Blogger Heather said...

I am not on it, because this is the first time I have ever heard of it. I don't twitter.

I was more paranoid when I was a single parent. Now The Coach is paranoid enough for both of us.
I haven't mentioned our town, but I am sure even dumb stalker could put it together from shirts The Coach wears in blog pics.

April 19, 2011 at 11:33 AM  
Anonymous Denelle @CaitsConcepts said...

I am most definitely NOT on Foursquare and have no intention of it anytime in the near future. I can totally empathize with your paranoia and have been known to lock my car door when I see someone walking in my direction while I'm sitting inside.

So they parked next to me. So what? ;)

April 19, 2011 at 11:45 AM  
Blogger Brenda Susan said...

No I doubt 4square will be as normal as Fb etc. It makes no sense to me why people want to tell everyone where they are! I don't get it at all.
Burglars probably invented it, that's my theory!

April 19, 2011 at 11:48 AM  
Blogger Jane Bitch said...

I'm not a fan. Maybe because I'm anonymous, but I don't use it period. I don't really "get" foursquare.

April 19, 2011 at 11:51 AM  
Anonymous Paula @ Simply Sandwich said...

I think this falls in the category of "waaaaaay too much information"!

April 19, 2011 at 12:08 PM  
Anonymous tracy said...

I was - but stopped because I GET SO ANNOYED ON TWITTER BY PEOPLE'S FOURSQUARE UPDATES. Like I really care you are at the store? NO, I DON'T.

Okay, I feel better.
xoxo

April 19, 2011 at 12:15 PM  
Blogger Oka said...

To be honest, I'm not trying to "sell" anything, so I am already considering down sizing what I do. Therefore, I am not starting anything new.

Secondly, FourSquare seems to be be TMI in my opinion. I don't see why you'd want to hand your info right over. I'd rather the stalker have to do his/her own homework than to hand it all over in a nice nifty folder.

April 19, 2011 at 12:34 PM  
Blogger Andrea said...

I am not on 4sq. I'm also not on FB. No need for it. I'm OK w/being on Twitter, but I'm quiet about where I am when I'm there, etc. I don't have a location thing set on or anything, either. I only say I'm in the Triangle area of NC. That's huge. It could be ANY and everywhere. You know? Anyway, I know some people know where I am, and I just trust that they respect me and my privacy enough so I can trust them, or something like that. but to check in wherever I am? Nah, no thanks! ;)

April 19, 2011 at 12:35 PM  
Blogger PBJdreamer said...

I guess I am the odd man out because I think the most boring facebook updates are the ones that mindlessly list where you are.

I just do not care.

I also don't care to see what you are eating or wearing.

I am all silly like that I guess.

UNLESS

You are in the oval office or having dinner with Johnny Depp

that is all

April 19, 2011 at 12:42 PM  
Blogger Patrice said...

Someone already said pretty much what I was going to say but I'll offer my two cents anyway. I love foursquare because it is fun to "compete" to become the mayor of places. Also, business are really starting to catch on to giving people deals for checking in on foursquare. I got free chips & salsa at a restaurant once just for checking in!

Maybe I'm biased because I want to go into social media marketing and foursquare is huge for marketers, but I like it!

I totally get the whole paranoid thing, I thought that at first too but unless I know the person in real life, I don't let them follow me on foursquare.

April 19, 2011 at 12:46 PM  
Blogger MommyLisa said...

I am on it for fun...seriously if someone is stalking me now??? I am over 40 and overweight...its not happening. ;)

April 19, 2011 at 12:50 PM  
Blogger Lourie said...

I must be out of it. I have no idea what four square is! LOL. But I totally get the paranoia thing. If it is online...it is out there.

April 19, 2011 at 1:22 PM  
Blogger Kmama said...

No, I'm not a fan. I don't want people knowing where I'm at. I'm not overly paranoid, but I just don't need people knowing where I'm at all the time. I don't "get" the fun in it at all.

April 19, 2011 at 1:58 PM  
Blogger Not a Perfect Mom said...

I never even heard of foursquare, how lame am I? but honestly? I don't know if I can commit to any more social media in my life...geez...
and does it just tell you where people are all the time? Because unless you're coming to my house with some country fried steak I could care less that you checked in at Cracker Barrel

April 19, 2011 at 2:38 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have heard of it but never really advertise where I am going to be (unless I am going to a park - then use the made-up names my kids use for it "the sand park" "the castle" then if someone asks which park I mean I can answer or not)
But yea. I always think someone is going to steal me. I don't know why in the world they would want me - but I am paranoid too.

April 19, 2011 at 3:26 PM  
Anonymous Megan (Best of Fates) said...

WHATEVER YOU DO DON'T JOIN FOURSQUARE!!!! I mean, I'm all for stalking. It's kinda my niche.

And I'm *always* open for new "fans."

But Foursquare is like pushing yourself onto people. Then every freaking time I open up Twitter I have to see exactly where Jane's eating and Carlos is meeting his mistress to buy discount office furniture. This is very annoying in two ways. 1) Don't try and force me to stalk you. If you're worth it, I'll get there on my own. Now you just look pathetic. And 2) Do you really want a stalker who can't even do the work to follow you around? 'Cause you just gotta get better self esteem.

April 19, 2011 at 4:18 PM  
Blogger Melinda said...

I'm always the last one on the technology train and was a reluctant FB and Twitter user (still am). I'd never even heard of Foursquare, which probably makes ME square. I'm with you -- makes me uncomfortable.

April 19, 2011 at 4:20 PM  
Blogger Stephanie Faris said...

You know what? I don't think you're paranoid. I think you're smart. You could protect your tweets and only make FB accessible to those you know and trust, but that's a lot of work. I never understood the benefit of checking in anyway. Who cares that I just ate dinner at McDonald's? If I want people to know I went somewhere I liked, I'd just post it as a status update and leave out the location.

I believe not long ago someone had their house robbed because they posted something on FB that let everyone know they were out of town. I now wonder every time I see someone announce they're away for a week or whatever, do they have a good security system? A house-sitter?

April 19, 2011 at 4:26 PM  
Blogger Kel said...

Well, I don't know what foursquare is, but I don't think you are paranoid. I don't give out information on my town, family names, or exact days hubby is out of town either. I'm not sure if I like the idea of someone tracking my location either.

April 19, 2011 at 4:34 PM  
Blogger Sandra said...

I think I'd skip it, too, especially because you are so popular (over 2000 followers. Sheesh! ;)) and because you do have small kiddos. My husband did it for a while and got us some good deals (for instance when he could show the clerk at one of our favorite restaurants in town that he was the "mayor" of that restaurant for visiting a certain amount, they gave us a free meal.). But in general, I'd probably suggest you pass for all the safety reasons you mentioned. I'm paranoid like you! :)

Hope you're having a great day!

April 19, 2011 at 4:43 PM  
Blogger Claremont First Ward said...

Nope, not on FourSquare. Can hardly keep up with Twitter and Facebook and I never reveal my location, either, unless it's past tense. I WAS in FLORIDA. I went to this place.....

April 19, 2011 at 5:09 PM  
Blogger Liz Mays said...

I started doing it but then pinpointing my location got to me, especially since people I've never met were requesting friendship on there. It made me way uncomfortable so I deleted the whole thing.

April 19, 2011 at 5:25 PM  
Blogger Cindi said...

I finally just joined Facebook about 2 months ago. Can I let you know about FourSquare in a couple years? (LoL)

April 19, 2011 at 5:35 PM  
Blogger HopefulLeigh said...

I'm just as paranoid as you are! I refuse to join FourSquare, even if certain places give you a discount or freebie for checking in there. It's just not worth it to me. My paranoia is more due to being vigilant as a single person- I don't want the freaks to find me!

April 19, 2011 at 5:58 PM  
Blogger mdforkids said...

I didn't even know what it was until now! I've heard about it, but since I don't have an iphone either, I figured it was all above my head anyway!

I'm kinda with you on this one...how much info do we really need to be giving away?

I'm slow to warm up to these kind of things.

April 19, 2011 at 6:15 PM  
Blogger Deputy's Wife said...

There's no way I'm going to use 4square for 2 reasons: 1) Nobody cares where you are every second and 2) You're right, stalkers are CRAY-ZAY! and they show up out of nowhere.

My boss at my old job used to check in (and still does) on Facebook. I can tell you exactly what he does all day every day, and that's a little weird to me.

April 19, 2011 at 6:47 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

I'm with you on the GPS of things. my niece will often FB her whereabouts and that makes me nervous!

You know me. I had never even heard of foursquare until right now. LOL

Iw ould say I won't be using it anytime soon. I still have to figure twitter!

April 19, 2011 at 6:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm not on Foursquare and it does not interest me for much of the same reason you gave in your post.
And truthfully, I really don't think it will get as big as twitter or facebook.
Facebook has a location feature too and i haven't acivated that either even though i'm only friends with people I am truly 'friends' with in real life.
I just don't see much of the point in foursquare and i think the potential to jeapordize too much of your privacy and safety is too great.

April 19, 2011 at 7:01 PM  
Blogger adrienzgirl said...

I don't really want everyone to know where I am 24/7. There are some creepy people out there.

April 19, 2011 at 7:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm paranoid, too! I'm so not into this!

April 19, 2011 at 7:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Foursquare freaks me out. I really don't like people knowing where I am..

April 19, 2011 at 7:28 PM  
Blogger Honey B. said...

I'm with you, I think Foursquare is creepy! I call it a Public Invitation to be Robbed. lol

April 19, 2011 at 8:16 PM  
Blogger Ashley said...

I was also a facebook hold-out but now I can almost admit that I'm addicted. I only recently gave in to Twitter and I have absolutely no idea how to do anything on it. I'm honored to have #ff mention me sometimes but I don't even know what that means. I don't know how to retweet so that I can add to it. I think I've got enough on my plate. The stalker inside me recognizes how foursquare would be a stalker's dream so I don't think I'm going there. Not that I think anyone would be at all interested in where I am except to perhaps avoid those places with all our fun meltdowns. =)

April 19, 2011 at 8:23 PM  
Blogger The Suburban Princess said...

omg! Those kidnapper vans with the blocked out windows scare me!

I think Foursquare was invented by stalkers for stalkers.

April 19, 2011 at 8:32 PM  
Blogger kc said...

absolutely not! I don't do it, I do not see the point in it...I cannot stand it when people "check me in" with them. SERIOUSLY, don't do that. "but I'm just tagging you." Yeah, and now everyone on there knows where I live and what I do, not to mention that I am not home. It is so easy for a person to find out where we physically live anyway, they really don't need help finding out when we are not home. Such a security risk to yourself, your property and so many other reasons I can think of that it is a bad idea.

April 19, 2011 at 8:35 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

NO! I am like you I dont want people to know where I am. It creeps me out!

April 19, 2011 at 8:44 PM  
Anonymous Stephanie said...

Wow, a lot of people had opinions on this :) I would never "check in" somewhere via Foursquare or any other service because of all the reasons you listed and many that the other commenters did. I am also a little paranoid about people knowing where I am at all times. Seems to me it could lead to some creepy stalking.

April 19, 2011 at 8:47 PM  
Blogger Elena Wollborg said...

I don't think you're crazy at all - I was skeptical too. My husband uses Foursquare and Gowalla and now has me addicted to 4sq. I do have top secret rules though - I'd be happy to share them with you, just not on here since that would obviously negate the secret rules. ;) Most of the shopping I do is not in the exact city I live in. I always say "Detroit" on twitter, etc., not the exact suburb. If you were to check my 4sq, you'd see I'm in a lot of different cities, so I guess I don't worry about the stalker risk. I also a lot of times do the checkin just as I'm leaving. Two reasons I love it - (1) I've actually found really good deals with it. I once got 50% off shoes at Steve Madden b/c there was a special 4sq deal that day, deals at Sbux, a local restaurant gives you a free margarita if you checkin, etc. (2) If I'm meeting up with a lot of friends at an event, I can see who is there/who isn't yet. It can also show me if there is someone I don't want to run into. ;)

April 19, 2011 at 8:59 PM  
Anonymous Missy said...

I am both a facebook and twitter junkie, but cannot, like you, for the life of me figure out why it's fun to check in places on 4square. It's a little bit paranoia, and a lot "what do people care where I am?" My husband is still a facebook holdout, by the way. He would probably have apoplexy if I started using 4square!

April 19, 2011 at 10:09 PM  
Blogger Crystal said...

I'm somewhat paranoid about that too...I mean, let's face it, my hubby is gone ALL THE TIME! I'm also still very much a twitter virgin...although I'm lving twitter! I see some blogs that are totally plugged into everything and think I may want a piece of that awesomeness...but I think it would all be too much for me. I mean, mom of 4, wife, soon-to-be-single mommy and all that goes with it...I think blog, FB, and twitter is enough for me right now. I don't want to be a social media slut :) Honestly I don't even know what any of that other stuff is. I'm old-school!!

April 19, 2011 at 10:57 PM  
Blogger KristinFilut said...

I'm on foursquare. I am not religious about it. Steph actually chewed me out for checking in once when I was at luch over an hour away from my home. I understand the concern.

April 19, 2011 at 11:18 PM  
Blogger Loukia said...

I don't see the point in Four Square at all... I find it annoying!

April 19, 2011 at 11:39 PM  
Blogger Truthful Mommy said...

No foursquare for me for the exact same reason. I'm not giving the newest Craig's list killer directions to come get me!We can be the lone holdouts together:)lOL

April 19, 2011 at 11:55 PM  
Anonymous MamaRobinJ said...

I had Foursquare connected to my professional Twitter account, and that lists where I live and I never really thought about it. People can figure that out because of my work anyway.

I was always paranoid about tweeting or checking in somewhere if we were away (Hi! Please rob me!) but other than that didn't worry about it.


I just don't get the point, though. I experimented to see what the fuss was about but I don't get it. Just deleted my account the other day, actually.

April 20, 2011 at 12:09 AM  
Blogger Sandra said...

I think you're smart!
I spill my guts and I have yet to make my phone number unlisted. And my first and last name is on my blog. My husband won't let me go to BlogHer because he thinks I'll get kidnapped and sold into slavery.
You're the smart one Shell! Never forget it!

April 20, 2011 at 12:10 AM  
Blogger Natalie said...

I didn't even know what it was, but now that I do, no way! I'm just as paranoid as you ;)

April 20, 2011 at 1:09 AM  
Blogger Jessica said...

I've never used foursquare for many of the same reasons you listed. I say the town I live in on my blog but I don't want to advertise exactly where I am all the time.

April 20, 2011 at 2:09 AM  
Blogger Red said...

DON'T DO IT!!

There is nothing i dislike more then 4square logins on twitter, and now that FB has the stupid check in thing, UGH!

I never know anyone to use it for anything but bragging rights, "oh look at where i went last night, im soooo impressive blah blah"

Like i said,
DON'T DO IT!!

April 20, 2011 at 4:16 AM  
Blogger katsidhe said...

I've never heard of this Four Square thing before now, but I'm exactly like you are. Even my name, "Kat", while really is what people in real life call me, too, is technically short for my middle name. Maybe it's a bit paranoid, but I'm only paranoid because I KNOW THAT THEY'RE WATCHING ME!!!!

April 20, 2011 at 8:31 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I'm equally as paranoid.

April 20, 2011 at 10:53 AM  
Blogger mypixieblog said...

I am with you on the Foursquare thing. I refuse. It freaks me out for all the reasons you mentioned. I don't need anyone knowing my exact coordinates at any given time of the day. I also get the impression (in NYC anyway) that people use it as a means to feel important, like, "look where I'm checked in!" and that's a total turn-off to me. No thank you!

April 20, 2011 at 11:24 AM  
Blogger {Stephanie}The Drama Mama said...

I'm am not on foursquare, and honestly, when I see the fourqsquare posts on Twitter, they freak me out. I'm like why on earth would you want me to know where you are? Especially considering a lot of my followers I don't even know who they are. Unlike Facebook, where you can set your privacy settings and you can choose not to list your hometown, etc, foursquare is wide open.

To me, thats like a calling card to come and get me. LOL. I'll be paranoid with you. ;)

--The Drama Mama

April 20, 2011 at 11:45 AM  
Blogger Liz said...

No, I've thought all those same things. I don't do FourSquare either, and I don't get why people feel the need to do it.

When I got my iPhone, I immediately turned off the location for my camera so people can't tell where I am from photos I upload.

April 20, 2011 at 1:37 PM  
Blogger Renee said...

I signed up as soon as I heard about it. I'm kind of selfish when it comes to that kind of stuff. I wanted to secure my username incase it became the next best thing. That was over a year ago and I never use it.

April 20, 2011 at 6:12 PM  
Blogger Sarah said...

I do it and my hubs always says that I shouldn't tell my stalkers where I am. My take on that is that if I truly have stalkers, they knew where I was long before Foursquare...but that's just me. I ain't skeered but then, if someone actually found me that way, would they admit it???

April 20, 2011 at 10:46 PM  
Blogger Helene said...

A good friend of mine LOVES FourSquare but, like you, it freaks me out! No discount is too good for everyone and their mother to know exactly where I am at all times, kwim?

April 20, 2011 at 10:51 PM  
Blogger Mrs4444 said...

I'm a social person, but I don't have a need for everyone to know my every move. I've actually seen people's FourSquares Tweet their HOME addresses. Crazy. So not worth the risk.

April 22, 2011 at 12:22 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

You are not paranoid. People can already find out enough stuff about us without us helping them!

April 22, 2011 at 5:28 AM  
Blogger Scary Mommy said...

Foursquare freaks me out, too. Plus the updates on twitter are annoying as hell.

April 22, 2011 at 10:03 PM  

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