What do you think when you get a mass email from a friend entitled “Happy Holidays from us”, that incls a link to a page that shows (brags) about their vacation, their new car, their new job, their trip to the Oscars in LA, etc.? I generally get a text only email from them each year, and do loathe its arrival. However, this year, they included pictures, too. I understand the lack of time which warrants a mass email–don’t agree with it, but understand. The issue is that a holiday card should be something wishing the recipient happy holidays, happy new year, etc., vs. a vehicle to brag about the material things you’ve acquired or enjoyed this past year. And no, am not jealous, it’s from two *** men, and I’m a woman who does pretty well for herself.
Is it just me, or is this poor holiday etiquette?on a side note, i hear from them quite often and already knew about all these things.
September 17th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
I loathe holiday letters. I got one last week that covered both sides of an 8-1/2 x 11 paper in tiny type, and it was a month-by-month report of their whole year’s activities. I didn’t even read the whole thing; I threw it out. I would much rather just get a simple card that tells me they were thinking of me; I don’t care how many A’s little Jimmy got in school, so to speak. I don’t care what they did last August.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Yes, it’s bragging. But is it really that bad? If they are coming from people you care about, how much effort does it take you to actually read the e-mails and be happy for them? Maybe you should consider yourself flattered that they thought enough of you that they wanted to share their happiness and success with you. Personally, I’d rather receive an e-mail packed with good news from a loved one than the alternative.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Personally and generally speaking….I do not like those things. I find them rather tacky when they come from someone you see on a regular basis. I already know what they’ve done for the past year….witnessed it as it happened…and see no reason to have to read about it, too!
However, when they come from friends and family I rarely see or hear from….those who live far away….I enjoy them. It’s a way of “catching up”.
I guess the answer would be for those who send these things to send them only to those who wouldn’t know about their comings and goings otherwise. I must admit I’ve been tempted to send them back with a note asking them to tell me something I didn’t already know. But, that would be as tacky as the darned newsletter! LOL
September 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 am
I don’t mind it; however, I think the mass message should be accompanied by some kind of (even small/short) personal message. It would be painful for your friends to hear that you don’t care about what they’ve done this past year — especially if you only hear from them once a year. I loathe the cards that only say “Happy Holidays from the Smiths.” That’s all you have time to tell me about? At least your friends took the time to write something they felt would be meaningful to their friends and family. If they are your friends, you might not think of it as bragging - or you might not care so much because that’s probably just the way they are all the time, not just around the holidays. ‘Tis not the season to wallow in negative thoughts about your friends. If it really bothers you that much, don’t be friends!