How do you choose your friends?

I am brand new to facebook and, honestly, not sure what I think of it.

I got a request to be a friend from a HS classmate (I graduated 30 years ago) and I don't really want this person as a friend but feel rude not accepting them. I went to a small school in a small town and although everyone knows everyone, this is not a person that I was close to in school nor someone that I have kept in contact with.

If this was someone that I didn't know at all, then it would be an easy decision.

How do you decide who to accept as a friend and how/when do you gracefully decline?

I personally don't feel bad if someone from my high school won't accept me. If you don't want the person as a friend, then don't do it. It's ok. My roommate is going through the same issues. She doesn't really want to be on Facebook because of some of her former classmates. I told her that it's ok not to accept someone. No big deal.

I don't think they ever know that you rejected them, per se, just that you never accepted them -- things get lost in the mail, wires crossed, operator error (on their part of course)... at least that's what I keep telling myself.

One of the many reasons I have avoided Facebook like the plague!

Thanks for your replies...but I caved and accepted this person as a friend. Small town politics or etiquette or whatever took over. It is not that this person is bad or that I want to avoid them, it just seems strange to be included in their thoughts and conversations when they seem like a stranger to me.

I guess I'll get use to this but as a newbie it feels kind of creepy to see conversations my friends are having with their friends...even though I know they know that I can see it, I feel like I am spying. But most of my friends don't know each other and I don't know most of my friends' friends - maybe it wouldn't feel so wierd if I knew more of the people having the conversations.

Oh well, it is late and perhaps I am not making the most sense. But I do appreciate your input as I am sure this will come up again.

The thing I've realized through doing Facebook is that people change. The people that were not my friends in high school are completely different from when I knew them. I have been able to talk to old friends without any of the old high school bs. It's been great.

good point Krylon; The Wife and I have been to 2 HS reunions, 10 and 20, and it's interesting how most people change and, believe it or not, grow up!

CarolO, use the "less news/more news" adjustment to dial down those people you don't want constant info from...