Crap Mail – A Rant, should be the real title of this post, but I don’t want to get barred from Google and the like.
I have had the same thing happen to me twice recently. Here’s the scenario:
Long lost friend finds me online, we reconnect and exchange updates and pleasantries. A week or two later the forwards to their e-mail open group list start filling up my InBox. Usually it’s junk mail that they pass along. You know the type: mediocre jokes; urban legends; the latest virus scare; a sob story.
It’s not that I can’t enjoy a humorous anecdote once in a while, but I really dislike having my name and email publicly displayed to a list of people I don’t know, ready for poaching, as typically these types of emails circulate to even more people I don’t know. I also dislike having crap filling up my e-mail server. I’m not sure how to tell you to take me off your list without offending you, so I hope you read this post.
If you really must pass along all these bits and pieces, give me the options of:
- Remaining anonymous by using blind carbon copy (BCC)
- Opting out (without any hard feelings)
Both of these things can be accomplished by publishing these must have items on a free blog like WordPress or Blogger. I can even show you how to set up a blog or recommend some top folks to you. You can do something as simple as sending a quick note (using BCC of course) to your group that reads, “Hey, I’ve got a great blog of jokes and cultural anecdotes. Check it out for a daily dose of fun!” Instead, you could also produce a monthly opt in e-newsletter using a free service such as MadMimi, or if you really want to get serious, use an auto-responder like aWeber, which protects people from unwanted spam. If you can’t or don’t want to set up a blog or newsletter list, ask first before you put me on your list! Don’t just assume everyone you have in your address book wants to read these types of emails.
So, if you are a long lost friend or acquaintance, I’d love to hear from you, but please don’t think of our re-connecting as an invitation to add me to your list so you can pass crappy regurgitated e-mails along to me. If I tell you to take me off your group list, please don’t be offended. I would much rather get some original news from you, your original thoughts and ideas, your comments on my posts, or an update on something you are working on. Sorry to sound harsh, but this is a rant. Bottom line, please ask me first!
I welcome your comments! You know who you are.
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I am so with you on the forwarded e-mails that contain all manner of joke and verse-I really dislike the ones that ask me to propogate same to 6 of my friends if I want good luck for the rest of the day…pleeeeeeasse!!
Yes Karie, I get furious with these people and I hope they read this post!
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