Social Networking Breeds Positive Offline Interaction

Chris Brogan wrote a good post this morning entitled The Me Game, in which he shares successful networking tips.  As I commented on his blog, it reminded me of something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: how the open, transparent and inclusive norms and etiquette of social media are impacting our behaviors–and thus the culture–of the offline world.  I find that the honest, friendly and helpful culture of my social network conversations and interactions breed their offline counterparts.  For example, when I tweet or post comments on someone’s blog and then receive positive comments, suggestions and feedback online (oftentimes from people who are strangers to me in the offline world) it encourages me to be more altruistic offline.  I find myself letting cars in front of me in traffic, smiling more at people on the street and holding doors.