I certainly don’t know how the “word” eyeball originated. I presume it means finally seeing someone or some people you’ve only corresponded with through email, text or any other electronic medium. Hence, the informal use of the word “eyeball” or eye-to-eye. So prevalent is the term that folks use it even after they met the person(s) several times already.
The crux of the matter is that EBs are getting to be a common occurrence in the blogosphere. Can’t anymore count the number of EBs I attended ever since I went to the first Pinoyblog Christmas party in December 2004. There are those precious times when I meet with my close online friends (such as the one I’ve just wrapped up with our Blogkadahan… post coming next) and the rest were spent covering the EBs for my column (after which you have the chance of seeing your face in the newspaper, heheh).
As I found out, EBs can be an enlightening thing. Sometimes, a blogger’s online persona does not match his/her actual personality. It always pays though not to judge a book (blogger) by the cover. And a blogger has to remember that a one does not go to an EB to be shy or sulk in a corner, you’re there to network, make friends, gain new links and be noticed.. otherwise, what’s an EB for?? Here’s my unofficial EB etiquette guide for bloggers:
1. Dress to kill but always dress the part. One thing I’ve learned, Pinoy bloggers are most comfortable in their jeans and tees. But a tee with a statement (the URL of your blog, perhaps) takes you a notch higher. Pierre always comes in a jester’s outfit because that’s what his blog title says (Jester-In-Exile).. cool huh?
2. Wear a pleasant attitude, wear a smile. You are no longer brooding in front of your computer dude!
3. Know what to expect, but don’t expect too much. For example, the invite said there will be free donuts but the delivery truck got stuck in traffic along EDSA. Ergo, it pays to munch on something before leaving home, otherwise you might not be able to wear…. see No. 2 😛
4. Prepare and flash those business cards. Because even though you had a thousand hits yesterday, don’t presume that everyone will know you from Eve. And bloggers who mean well always check the URLs of peeps who attended the EBent.
5. Circulate, circulate. Don’t just limit yourself to one table or group, at the risk of being branded elitist, snobbish or clique-ish. Nuff said.
6. Keep your tactfulness intact. You may think someone is horizontally/ vertically challenged but never ever utter ” I never thought you’re so short/fat in person!!”… because that, my dear, is better relegated to your mental recycle bin. Ouch!
7. Avoid the merry mix-up. Don’t pretend you know Blog A when you’re actually referring to Blog B… otherwise Blogger A might get confused.
8. Show some sense but don’t be a show-off. Remember that you’re talking to fellow geeks who know as much you do, or even more. Unless of course you can do rare things like bending spoons and disappearing in a trunk like Harry Houdini..go ahead then, show it!
9. By now most people know that bloggers are fond of taking photographs at these events. But for Chrissakes, ditch pressing the shutter button when someone is trying to befriend you or talk to you. Disengage from the dear camera for a while.
10. Don’t monopolize the conversation or talk about yourself, or your blog, all the time. Otherwise you’d get to be known as the Boring Blogger from Bermuda.
11. Go easy on the food and booze. You don’t want to eat too much and suffer from stomach discomfort…you don’t want to drink too much and do things which will land you on blog headlines the next day.
Any other ideas in mind?
You might want to add ethics.
Be careful in asking questions. avoid the following:
1. are you pregnant?
2. are you married?
3. how old are you?
4. what do you do IRL?
5. do you own a car?
Some people think this is okay while some don’t. Personally, I tend to move away if people ask these questions. While I have no qualms sharing information such as this, I hate it when it’s beeing leeched out of me. It’s like invasion of privacy or something. 🙂
very cool! 🙂
“4. Prepare and flash those business cards.”
True indeed! I’m preparing a bunch of these when I get home. 🙂
Shirt with URL also a great idea, but it might work for people with short URLs.
So agree with you Keysi. Sometimes people ca be so careless that they ask “are you pregnant” when in fact your tummy is just bloated 😀 Pinoys can be so prying that they don’t hesitate to ask those questions you’ve just said even when you’ve just met!
Thanks for dropping by AJ and Weng. As for the biz cards, I still have to make them really:)
hahaa may naalala ako..
never say the line:
“I enjoyed reading the sexscapade you posted in your blog last week. ”
ewww muntik ko nang masabi to sa isang blogger. buti nalng may tali ang dila ko.
ahahaha
Loko-loko ka Eric 😀
Who is that…. I would like to read the sexcapade, lolz
nice to post this in the pinoy moms network as we will have future lunches.
another tip: don’t bring up a rant or entry . if you want to talk about it, just comment on the entry but not during the meetup
I think the term eyeball started with the CB radios where q codes are used.
Anyway, it was nice seeing you again after a very long time. July ulit ha.
Yes thanks Noemi..will post this in Pinoymoms when I arrive home later (haven’t left home yet but preparing to work now)
Ganun Tito Rols, di ko alam ang history ng eyeball eh. For sure, the July EB will be a blast with Sachiko around
#4 is interesting. Maybe I should start preparing a set na rin. The only cards I have are my day job ones.
Good to see you again, Ajay!
circulate circulate was so true and a must to gain new readers of your blog and friends also!!!
Haha, I don’t have your day card Toni…but yes, am also thinking of getting them cool blogger cards too para professional blogger na talaga ang dating, lolz…
Hope to see you in future EBs, Ernesto:)
I also had EBs before, long long time ago when I was still an mIRC addict.
Anyway, thanks for posting this. I will surely remember this guide.
Thanks for this Ajay!
Here’s mine…
When introducing yourself DONT ever say “I am Juan Dela Cruz of CruzBlog.com.” The other person may think “Soo what if you’re of CruzBlog.com, i never heard of it.”
Way to go, Shane.
Haha, thanks for contributing this Jeffrey:)
Hey Ju,
Very good guidelines, although, I am not really into EB’s. I hardly have any time for personal stuff at all. Good thing, I know you from “way back”… no need to put on a mask (hehehe)
Take care!!! Hope to talk to you soon.
AL, I fugure it’s really hard for you coz you’re in Europe..EBs seem so rife in Manila. You know naman, this is a city which is alive with a lot of things, the city that never sleeps:)
It has never been easy to mingle with everyone in our blogger EBs, but we should always do our best to warmly welcome the first-timers. =)
Couldn’t agree more Markku 🙂
EB came from eyeball, we all know that
but the word eyeball became popular in the 90s, when amateur radios (2 meter) ruled the airwaves in the absence of phones (both landline and mobile)
radio users chat using the radio looking for someone to be with in those days before the internet became popular locally
they call meetings EYEBALL referring to the eye or something like to see eye to eye meeting
now the term is abbreviated to EB
this was asked of me for the nth time already. but the topic is not fit for my blog and i’m avoiding off-topic posts lately 🙂
Thanks for this bit of trivia and historical data Tutubi:)