How do you hide messages on facebook?

[Samantha]

When you send a message to a person on facebook, previous messages sent will appear, how do you hide these?

[Tina]

I don't think you can

[JimDandy]

Facebook assumes that all conversations between two people are exactly that, conversations. Facebook assumes that once you've opened a dialog, that you'll probably just reply back and forth anytime you want to message that person. I for one, hate that.

The simple answer is to click on the middle icon at the top left in the notifications area (to the right of the "facebook" logo. This is the icon that shows the number next to it when you have messages waiting. Whether you have messages waiting or not, when you click that icon, the drop down list of notifications (past and current) displays. But at the top of that list is a link "Send a New Message". Click that link to start a new conversation thread with somebody.