Facebook Ignorement.

I received your friend request and I was happy to get it. I'm very happy that you would think of me enough to send me a friend request. I want to be your friend, too, because you are an interesting, knowledgeable person, and you are surrounded by other very respectable people in your family and friends.

Unfortunately for both of us, I cannot accept your request. The problem isn't that I don't like you- as stated above, I do. The problem isn't some silly political worry about who I have on my friend list and who I don't. The problem isn't a personal grudge.

The problem is this: In my observation, you've treated those very respectable members of your family and friends quite poorly, on many occasions. We've all made the mistake of taking a friend or loved one for granted more often than any of us would like to admit, but in your case it seems to be a pattern. Specifically, I've witnessed:

Passing of (what I believe to be) your responsibilities on to members of your family.

Manipulative behavior.

Talking about others in condescending tones, either in front of them or, worse, to their friends.

General lack of support for any ideas or plans that didn't come from you, even when the plans don't involve you. This is closely related to you lack of ability to accept suggestions or ideas from others.

You are quick to give advice (often good advice, as you are knowledgeable) - however that advice very rarely comes without cynicism and negativity.

I believe the above behavior has robbed you of a lot of happiness in your life, our facebook friendship being the latest, very unfortunate, victim. However, I think it's likely the smallest victim. I believe that this kind of behavior has robbed you of much deeper relationships with the people around you, and that makes me very sad- because you, and those around you, deserve better.

I honestly hope you take a serious look at how you see and treat those around you, and learn to accept, love, and grow with the people in your life in ways that you currently are not. Should this happen, I would happily entertain a friend request, though I'm sure that would be the smallest of the joys you would find by making these changes.

-Chris