Expert: Keep Your Political Rantings Off Social Media For Your Own Good

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The presidential election has some people fired up on Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites. Some say the passionate postings go too far and are calling for some online etiquette.

If you support one, the other or neither, there are people who don't want to hear it. They're sick and tired of political rantings and ravings that are posted on the Internet.

"It's getting to the point where I'm going to start unfriending people," Jim Halpin told CBS 2's Dave Carlin on Friday night.

"I think people just spout off a lot of nonsense," added Lisa Brown of Midtown.

Etiquette expert Thomas Farley said posting your political views online can be a bad idea, but less so if your circle is small and close.

But if your list of people is larger and more unfamiliar, stay away from hot button topics, especially political ones, he said.

"There was a Pew Research study earlier this year that talked about 18 percent of us unfriended somebody...because of political posts they put up on Facebook," Farley said.

Farley recommends that if you want to talk politics, you should do it in a setting face to face with people you really know, instead of going to social media sites.

"You are better safe than sorry if you keep any of that political commentating completely off your social media platforms," Farley said. "Be very careful because you can offend people in ways you are not even aware."

Farley said people have angered their bosses and offended their own families by posting political opinions.

"If their views are contrary to your own I would hide them. If they are offensive compared to your own I would unfriend them. If it's somebody who is a close member of your family or a friend I would talk to them in person," he said.

Farley said a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself "What would my boss or my grandparents think if they saw this post?" before you proceed.

What do you think?  Should people stay away from posting anything political on social media sites?  Let us know below...