It amazes me that some people seem to generalize that the use of Facebook is exclusionary to the use of other forms of communication.

I still walk down the hall to talk to my roommates or officemates when that is an option.

I still go out to dinner, movies, Bunco nights, pumpkin carving, gingerbread house making, study groups, doggie play dates with my local friends frequently (at LEAST once a week).

I still go home for Christmas.

I still call my parents and grandmother weekly and non-local friends occasionally.

I still *GASP* write and mail hand-written letters to my best friend.

I still keep private conversations private (either phone, email, or facebook PM).

BUT I also keep up with many more friends that I would not be able to otherwise. I can inform multiple people at once, I can include pictures or video, and I can receive similar messages that I wouldn't have otherwise gotten due to cost prohibitiveness or it being hard to track me down (I've had OVER 6 different addresses in the past 2 years...). I can keep in contact easily and more regularly with people multiple timezones away were schedules and price prohibit frequent phonecalls. I've "re-found" friends that I'd lost contact with. Been quickly notified when friends who I care about but am not in regular contact with need help, etc.

If Facebook is not for you, that's fine. Using it doesn't mean you fall into a black hole in front of your computer though.

People who are rude or lack social skills will be that way whether they are on Facebook, email, passing you on the street, or calling you on the phone.