For the longest time, I gave foursquare.com users a hard time about how lame I thought the app was (CLICK HERE for more info).

Finally, I decided I shouldn’t make fun of it if I had never tried it. So, I signed up and gave it a good run for a few months. I used it so much, OTHER people made fun of me.

All that to say this: I feel I can give a more accurate review now. And here it is…

STILL LAME!!!

So… I still don’t really get it. You’re supposedly promised to get discounts and free coffee drinks as the “Mayor” of certain areas… but I haven’t really seen that at all. One good thing I see about it is that it allows people to see other people’s reviews regarding certain shops, retailers, etc. That’s great… but I think I can get more reviews from Yelp!.

As a mother that is alone with her young children for most of the day, I don’t see how this is a good for everyone to know where you’re at all the time. In fact, I think the dumbest thing to do is tag your own HOME and “check-in” when you’re there (hence, PleaseRobMe.com).

However, I do somewhat like the “game” aspect of it… collecting points and such. Games are fun. However, it’s no longer fun once you get a stalker… or get robbed. So, if you play, play responsibly. To all of you who may be more paranoid, like me, here are a few tips I’d like to give you if you REALLY want to play:

1.  ”Check-In” only when you’re with groups of other people in more public places.

It’s never fun meeting a stalker when you’re alone. It’s so much more fun to surprise him with 20 of your closest NINJA friends. Seriously, though… I don’t usually “check-in” somewhere if I’m alone or if it’s isolated.

2.  ”Check-In” when you’re leaving instead of when you’re showing up.

Honestly, this gives me a little peace-of-mind just because by the time a “stalker” gets there… my kiddos and I are long gone. I’m not saying I’m super popular… but I’m just thinking and looking out for the safety of me and my kids.

3.  Don’t “Check-In” at home.

If you are addicted to gathering points, don’t tag the exact location of your home. Drag the pinpoint into a nearby park or swamp. Maybe even into the middle of a busy highway. I personally won’t even do that, because I don’t need strangers even knowing what AREA I live in.

4.  Don’t “Check-In” at other people’s homes.

Seriously… that’s just rude.

5. Deactivate the badge updates from Facebook and Twitter.

Really. No one BESIDES other Foursquare users care if you’re the “Mayor” of the 76 Gas Station and they DEFINITELY don’t care that you’ve “unlocked the KRUNKED badge”. Thank you, Brent, for letting me know how to deactivate this. Now, I’m passing on this morsel of goodness on to you. Save us all.

So, there you go. I gave it a shot. Will I still use it? I don’t know… maybe just to remain the “Mayor” at Church! at Bethany to irritate Matt. So far, that has been one of the only positives of using this app.

What do YOU think of Foursquare?