Discussion Question

[minoanmiss]

Inspired by this potentially NSFW situation described at Ask A Manager, I thought I'd ask: have you ever sent back a personally addressed letter unopened, and/or written conversation-ending commentary on it before sending it back?

Comments

[baranduin]

I have written commentary but then ripped it all up to prevent the sending back.

ETA: Wow! Having just read that post, good for her!

[bikergeek]

I agree, BTW, with Princess Consuela Banana Hammock, who said, A profanity marked, unopened “return to sender” letter is not taking the high road, but it falls within a range of what I would see as normal emotional reactions to being treated so terribly.

There were multiple rounds of fail in how that poor intern was treated. Holy shit.

And no, I can't recall ever having done that.

[vass]

Only when it was personally addressed to someone else who doesn't live here any more. I've only escalated above "return to sender - left address" for repeat offenders.

In the scenario linked, I can understand her point of view, but I have to admit, in her place I'd be too curious not to open the letter.

[tibicina]

No, but my curiosity would pretty much kill me if I tried. I'd want to know what it said way too much to not open it.

That said, given what was done to her, I can absolutely understand why she would respond that way. Especially with what she'd experienced of management at the company. She really didn't have a way to know that the rest of management was not the same.

[princessofgeeks]

I have not returned any letters like that but I have thrown them away.

[sabotabby]

No, but I don't get letters, as a general rule, from people I want to end relationships/friendships/conversations with. You can't really do the equivalent with email.

[cmcmck]

Yes- to my parents for reasons you're aware of.

[ororo]

I don’t think so, but my memory is fuzzy.

I am furious at the way this intern was treated. I’m sorry she didn’t wait to find out that disciplinary measures had been taken, but I can’t say I blame her.

And it doesn’t matter if the intern was a student.

[filkerdave]

I haven't done that but I can't blame her at all

[lb_lee]

I have not, but I've definitely had to toss letters unopened; my parents would likely recognize my handwriting if I RTSed. (And any profanity on my part would have just fueled the fire.)

Also they have never tried to send me tons of mail to get me back; they preferred phone or email for that.