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0 pointsTheAmazingRace10mo ago0 comments

In my view, this tends to go out the window when randoms on the Internet share hints and suggestions in the first place. This is known in some parts as “vague booking” which is intended to possibly elicit sympathy or a similar reaction, with the intent of getting a feeling out of their system.

A good example of this would be a Facebook post similar to the following: “oh wooow I had such a hard day! Can’t believe what I had to do to overcome! Craaaazy time! I hope nothing like that happens again.” and then provide zero context.

Then they act surprised anyone would request for more details. I don’t get the pearl clutching folks like this do. If you have no intention of elaborating, either don’t engage in any responses or don’t bother sharing anything on the Internet at all.

To be clear, this is not a dunk on you or anyone in particular. Just explaining why others might be so inquisitive.

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ChrisMarshallNY10mo ago

Eh. Not "vague-booking." Interesting appellation. Hadn't heard of it before.

There's fairly practical reasons for not disclosing these specifics in public. Some folks here would probably understand, quite well.

Like I said, I think that people oversharing on TikTok has gotten folks thinking that they have the authority to demand intimacy from anyone they want. If someone doesn't share their secrets, then "what are they hiding?" or "They are being fake."

Can understand it, but I'm not particularly sympathetic to that mindset. I certainly don't think that of others. I'm 63, and not interested in impressing anyone. I can share more than many, because I'm no longer looking for work, but I couldn't care any less, about being some kind of tragic archetype.

gardenhedge10mo ago

I hadn't heard of "Vaguebooking" either but intuitively recognised it immediately. That nails this thread really.

Your reply also has a subtweet style to it - but I sure there's a better word to describe it!

Anyway, look at us now not talking about the subject... Because it was only vaguely referenced in the first place.

ChrisMarshallNY10mo ago

Exactly.

To be fair, though, some of the most interesting stuff on HN, comes from “diverted” comment threads (not this one, though).

Of course, I’ve always made it easy to get in touch with me. I would assume that if someone was legitimately interested in the backstory (as opposed to some prurient interest in public grandstanding), they could contact me directly. It has happened, in the past.

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0 pointsTheAmazingRace10mo ago0 comments

To be clear, this is not a dunk on you or anyone in particular. Just explaining why others might be so inquisitive.

0 comments

ChrisMarshallNY10mo ago

Eh. Not "vague-booking." Interesting appellation. Hadn't heard of it before.

There's fairly practical reasons for not disclosing these specifics in public. Some folks here would probably understand, quite well.

gardenhedge10mo ago

I hadn't heard of "Vaguebooking" either but intuitively recognised it immediately. That nails this thread really.

Your reply also has a subtweet style to it - but I sure there's a better word to describe it!

Anyway, look at us now not talking about the subject... Because it was only vaguely referenced in the first place.

ChrisMarshallNY10mo ago

Exactly.

To be fair, though, some of the most interesting stuff on HN, comes from “diverted” comment threads (not this one, though).

2 more replies

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse