Call it what you will, it&#39;s a chain letter.

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Hi p1key, my luv! I find myself breathing a bit of a sigh of relief, reading these responses so far, because they're in agreement with me about these things. I love funny cards, I love e-mails from my friends, I love that they , what you say about your telling your daughter that chain letters are NOT good things, half your adult life having been spent in doing so. I'm glad you're teaching her that. Chain letters can be like albatross's around our necks, I think. But I bet they'll always be around, though. They've existed forever. They'd be ok if they didn't ask you to pass them on. A nice sentiment or a loving prayer is fine, but putting the concept of luck into the picture, coupled with being required to pass it on to receive the luck is what just burns me up. Nice to know you feel the same.

4 people like this

Sparks

@sparkofinsanity (20471)

• Regina, Saskatchewan

26 May 08

I think it's the feeling of "How dare someone else tell me what to do - OR ELSE" Momentarily we feel powerless, as if we do not really have control over our fate. I feel it too and frankly often delete them. I'm not a chain letter fan really either. But sometimes, there are a few I pass on - YOU are NEVER on that list as I know how you feel about them, and last night I just forgot to clear your name from the 'send to' auto list that comes up. I suppose lately I've been feeling my mortality, my faith and the love and support of my friends, more intensely than usual. At those times, when I get something that touches me with love - I pass it on, I share the love. And most of those are faith based ones or prayers for our armed forces which I will pass on regardless of who sent them, because our troops can never have enough of our support. I understand your feelings completely nova, and respect. For those of us who have to fight long and hard to become and to STAY the people we are, it irks us no end to think that someone else can nullify that victory with a few words on a page.

4 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Spark, that last sentence brilliantly summed up what I was trying to say with this discussion, thank you. Wow, you just put it beautifully. Nullify that victory, yup. In the e-mail I sent you, when I said "you'll understand", well, this is what I mean. What you've written here in response. You know my heart and you know where my words and my feelings come from, so I knew that you would take my words as they were written and not misconstrue them. So clear my name off that list, girl! No, send anything you want, I'll read it. Thanks, Spark. And thanks for helping me state my case so well. Sending big kisses to ya, right here, can ya feel 'em?

5 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

Awright, got me some good psychokinesis going on - you're not only feeling the kisses, you're tasting them!

4 people like this

Sparks

@sparkofinsanity (20471)

• Regina, Saskatchewan

27 May 08

Licking my lips as I type my sweet! Don't know what you had for breakfast, but it sure tastes good! ROFL

3 people like this

Brian

@wolfie34 (26771)

• United Kingdom

26 May 08

Well meaning or not, they are immediately deleted my friend, I do not believe in prayer anyhow, but that's my own personal belief, regardless if they contain a prayer, a warning, sincere or insincere they are deleted, no questions, I hate chain letters, it used to be written ones now with modern technology it's emails. They serve no purpose only to harrass people, upset people and worry the hell out of people, if they don't pass it on are they going to be struck by lightening or run over by the number 23 bus? Yes friends may be well meaning but to some they can be a nuisance. Sweetheart different things worry and annoy the hell out of us, doesn't matter how small, that's how we are. I am one of the worlds greatest worriers but things that worry me might not worry others, and things that don't worry me, worries others. Sometimes I wish we had the 'bounce' option so that you could bounce these emails back to where they come from and that way you are NOT breaking the chain are you? cos you are sending it on LOL!

2 people like this

bin em

delete

Brian

@wolfie34 (26771)

• United Kingdom

26 May 08

You are never alone remember that, and maybe the bouncing idea was a stupid one, part of my vindictiveness which I have to stop, bad wolf, put those claws away ;0)

3 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Hullo, my sexy Wolf! Wow, you said all of that very well, mister! Struck by lightning or run over by the 23 bus?!! That gave me a good tickle, thank you. But as far as the bounce thing goes, I don't think I would use it - that would be perpetuating what we want to stop, which is the passing on of it. I dunno, Wolfie, I just know that I won't pass them on and I'm now learning that I'm not alone in this, not at all. How about that?

4 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

The claws are part of you, Wolfie darlin, and you do pretty well controlling when they come out, which is more than most can say. Kiss.

3 people like this

mummymo

@mummymo (23706)

•

26 May 08

hmmmm I do totally understand what you mean nova although I don't feel as strongly about them as you do! I do occasionally pass on these chain mails if I like them or think that some of my friends will - I have no compunction however in deleting them if I don't like them or they are menacing in any way! I don't get upset that someone has sent them on - I like to tell my friends to pass any threatening ones on to me if they are wary of not following them as I will dispose of them with no fear! I wouldn't dream of telling you you shouldn't feel that way - no one should tell anyone else that! xxx

2 people like this

mummymo

@mummymo (23706)

•

26 May 08

We all have something that creates that feeling in us nova - see you are human - and I though you were either an angel or a goddess! xxx

1 person likes this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Thanks, mummy darling. I seem to have a rather strong reaction to them - always have. I guess they just push one of my buttons, and push it hard. And you would be the last person I'd expect to tell me how to feel. That's just not how you are. Thanks for being here, mum. XXX

3 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

I'm entirely too human, mummy. But that's what's the best of me too...

1 person likes this

ayumitakashi

@ayumitakashi (4462)

• United States

26 May 08

I also hate those too. It really gets me mad when people send them to me. I've told my friends not to send them to me and I haven't gotten one in a long time. But then one arrives in my mailbox in a while and I get mad. I don't really like that because it doesn't make any sense even though it is sent with love like you said. But I don't like them at all.

4 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Hello again ayumitakashi, nice to see you. I see that I'm not alone in my feelings about this. I just wonder why they continue when it seems that so many of us hate them. Even knowing they're sent with love, they still irritate us. Interesting. It's the implication of a threat that bothers, I think. A threat of something bad happening. It gets our defenses up. Every time.

4 people like this

ayumitakashi

@ayumitakashi (4462)

• United States

26 May 08

Yeah Nova and it's like the threats sometimes catch me off guard and I'm left thinking why send something about love and then mess it up with a threat? It doesn't make any sense. And when they get sent to me they just take up space that I might need. I dread seeing FW:FW: on the subject line. It drives me crazy.

3 people like this

matt666999

@matt666999 (1)

•

26 May 08

I hate them aswell. yeah if i dont send one im going to die ? like thats going to happen. i may be a dreamer but im not stupid ! :)

2 people like this

WindWhisked

@WindWhisked (147)

• United States

26 May 08

I think some chain letters I have seen are sweet and funny: however, the fact that they are not unique and are meant for everyone is one reason I don't want them to be sent to me. Perhaps there should be a museum of these letters, so where people can see them for the things that they are: generalized statements that try to appeal to people's guilt or the amount of mischief they feel like causing to others upon sharing the chain mail with the people they know.

3 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Yes, WindWhisked, some of them are definitely sweet and funny and I always feel touched that someone thought of me - but it's the chain-letter thing that bothers me about them. A museum of these letters is not a bad idea at all! Can you even imagine how many examples of chain letters there must be? Yikes! I like how you used the word mischief in connection with chain letters - I think it fits well. Thanks for chiming in, darlin. And a big warm welcome to Mylot too. There are so many incredible people here and I hope that you can get to know them and grow to love them like I have. You'll be blown away by the support you can get here, the friendship you can experience. I have a feeling about you. I think you're going to be very happy here. Cheers!

5 people like this

Sparks

@sparkofinsanity (20471)

• Regina, Saskatchewan

27 May 08

Hello windwhisked and welcome to the lot and the magic of our nova! I just had to butt in here and tell you wind, that when I first saw your user name I thought it said, Whiskeywinded! LOL I thought "Now there's MY kind of friend!" LOL But hey - windwhisked is really cool too, so I'm putting in a friends request.

3 people like this

WindWhisked

@WindWhisked (147)

• United States

26 May 08

Awww, thank you Nova! :) That was the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me online, by far. Thanks for inspiring such an awesome discussion!

4 people like this

wisedragon

@wisedragon (2325)

• Philippines

26 May 08

I feel the same way you do. Sometimes the content is really nice like a feel-good story with a great moral lesson. So I do read them sometimes. But I NEVER pass them on. When you get to the last part where it says you have to do this and that or something bad will happen to you, that's what gets to me. It's absolutely ridiculous for an email to have the power to control my life! I don't believe that at all.

2 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

I don't believe it either and it pisses me off every time I see it. And it's a rather nasty little surprise too, after you've read something perfectly lovely, then you glance down and see those damning words and your lovely little moment is blown out of the water. This is gonna help though, this post. It's going to stop some of them, I just have to believe that. So very many of us have spoken up about this - surely it'll have some impact, don't you think? I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. (what,me superstitious?)

CanadaGal

@CanadaGal (4304)

• Canada

26 May 08

I'm like you... I can't stand those chain letter emails. I refuse to pass them on, period. And if that's the reason why my life is the way it is, then so be it. I'll live with that. Because I have the inner peace of knowing I didn't subject my friends to the same emails.

I RARELY forward email jokes. They really have to make me guffaw LOUDLY in order to make me want to share. And even then, I will only pass it on to a select few friends who I know will "get it" (usually it's something fairly crude, but to me, downright hilarious).

2 people like this

chain mail

emails

CanadaGal

@CanadaGal (4304)

• Canada

26 May 08

It's lovely to see you too hon. :) I've been around... just not posting a whole lot. It's another busy week here... the older boy turns 9 on Thursday and has a sleepover on Saturday. So preparations are in the works (which includes a big clean up of the house... which really, should wait until AFTER the kids have all gone home lol).

2 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Crude? Did someone say crude? My sense of humor tends to run to the crude too, CG. There and in the gutter. I only send jokes to a few people too - the ones who know my sense of humor well and will appreciate the joke coming from me, more than if they had just seen the joke elsewhere. So far, we've got 100% agreement in the responses. Ok, when's the other shoe gonna drop? Someone's gotta dissent. I'd better brace myself. Hey, CG, lovely to see you.

3 people like this

ellie333

@ellie333 (21016)

•

26 May 08

Oh I get annoyed at these too. I receive a lot of them in text messages and what I do then is forward back to the person that sent it to keep them happy and then delete, it was probably the phone company starting them anyone knowing that most people will forward on. I love some of the words in the email ones I receive and if it were just the words great but it the bit at the bottom saying if I don't then this will happens that gets to me big time. Again with the email I will send it back to the person if it says and to me too if you class me as a friend blah blah blah but not to anyone else and will then press delete. They are just a modern day version of the old snail mail chain letter which the Post office probably started to sell more stamps. My daughters don't bother either with them and I am gradually letting friends know what I do so I don't get that many now but they still love me anyway they just accept I don't believe in all this stuff. Ellie :D

2 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

I'm with you, completely. And I guess that my posting this might just end up helping a bunch of us who really hate the things. Everyone's pretty much said the same thing and felt the same way as we do, el. So maybe more of the nasty little things will be deleted before they get sent on. We could come close to wiping out this epidemic!!!! Nah, that's probably wishful thinking, but still, I think that there will be fewer being pushed around out there, at least from the people who've responded here. And darlin, your friends will love you no matter what you believe in - you can trust me on this one and I count myself among your friends too. Our friends are the people who really know us but like us anyway.

1 person likes this

ellie333

@ellie333 (21016)

•

27 May 08

Yes lets hope this discussion has put an end to a lot of these chain emails and texts eh! Oh how true Nova, my friends might not like or agree with some of the things I do sometimes but they still love me and I appreciate you saying that you consider me as a friend too. Ditto. Thank you. Ellie :D

DelicateFlower

@DelicateFlower (314)

• United States

27 May 08

I can't stand those. I especially don't like the ones where they have a nice Godly message, then at the end, they say something to the effect of "If you really , truly love Jesus, pass this on to everyone in your address book, if you don't it's because you aren't sincere in your faith." Man that just gets me. I DO LOVE JESUS!!! and my faith has nothing to do with whether of not I do or do not spam my friends, most of whom are also Christians and don't really appreciate getting things that are 10x forwarded. I think it's a form of spam, and they try to guilt trip you into continuing the spamming. Now, the prayer ones, like emergency prayer requests, I usually do pass on. For one thing, if it's legitimate, they aren't trying to guilt trip you into it. They will be straight forward, to the point and urgently asking for prayer for whatever the emergency is from anyone and everyone who is willing.

2 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

Yes, how dare they imply that your faith isn't sincere? I've never seen one of those, but I'm sure that I would be just as angry about them as I am about the ones I do receive. And if you feel that you want to pass along the ones for emergency prayer requests, I don't see anything wrong in that, not at all. It's your choice. And those probably do some good anyway - they're sent with prayer and there's power in prayer, so you add all that up, and you've got some pretty strong stuff, I think. Like you, the most of us here seem to feel that the ones that threaten bad luck or promise good luck in exchange for you doing something with them should be deleted and/or ignored and are just plain spam. Welcome to the Lot, DelicateFlower. I wish you many happy hours here.

AnnieOakley1

@AnnieOakley1 (5596)

• Canada

26 May 08

I agree with you 100% nova. If I choose to forward on a particular message I delete all that garbage that forbodes bad luck or promises good luck. If I like the message I forward it to whomever I so choose. But sometimes, I just get pissed and delete, delete. They p@@# me off royally, too. I am the type of person that if you try and force me to do something, I will go the opposite way. And those blasted chain letters do just that. So there you go, my opinion.

2 people like this

chain letters

hate chain letters

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

Ok then, your opinion is firmly registered! lol, so tell me how you really feel! I think it's a natural reaction to dig our heels in when we're being forced into something. Our defenses come up and we have to stand our ground, not be moved. Those chain letters say we have to send them on - Oh no we don't!! I love this. Everyone seems to feel exactly the same way! So how do those things keep popping up, if everyone hates them? This discussion is going to stop some from being sent, I just know it. Wow, it's actually productive, this discussion.

3 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

I hadn't thought about that aspect of it, no surprise there. But whatever they are or contain, they are never welcome, not really. Delete, delete, delete.

3 people like this

AnnieOakley1

@AnnieOakley1 (5596)

• Canada

26 May 08

I hope so. I'm at the point now that even regardless of the message, sometimes I just delete it because it is a chain letter. They could unknowingly contain a virus.

2 people like this

tessah

@tessah (6617)

• United States

26 May 08

if its the type of "chain" fwd that is just wishing someone a good day.. and there arent any crap added to them, i will send them along and not be annoyed. but when people send me the " do this or yer genitals will rot off... or yer loved ones will die.." bullsh|t.. it DOES tick me off. i will send them on back to who sent them.. along with a note in the fwd, telling them to stop wishing bad things on me and my family and not send those gl00m & d00m sh*t to me or i will be forced to block their emails and then theyll never be able to send anything to me ever again. it usually does the trick

2 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

Yes, if it's not crap, I can see how you might forward it on, but oh boy, those other ones just get me. Do this or yer genitals will rot off, yup, those are the ones. But the ones that tell me something good's going to happen to me if I forward them are just as bad. I resent that just as much. YOU, however, have the right idea with that little trick you do, sending them back with that delightfully ominous message. I need to learn to use my delete function. And my own personal edit function too, but that's a whole nother story.... Love ya, baby!

tessah

@tessah (6617)

• United States

27 May 08

;squishes!;

ruby222

@ruby222 (4847)

•

26 May 08

I have to say that i have had loads of these chain type things..but usually unless they are from a family member i dont ever pass them on..but even then sometimes i dont!..i think its a personal thing .and im not really greatly into them..if i have bad luck or whatever thats more down to just life in general...so i will take my chances on this one!!

2 people like this

luck

mail

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

26 May 08

I agree, ruby. I like to take my own chances too. It seems that all of us get tons of these things in our e-mails, from some unknown but vastly far-reaching source. I guess it's just a matter of picking and choosing which ones we want to even look at - who they're from plays a big part. Nice to see you here, ruby, thanks for coming in.

2 people like this

Rosekitty

@Rosekitty (19368)

• San Marcos, Texas

27 May 08

Yuck...Chain letters..Nova..I'm like you and feel guilty but now i've done something i don't normally do since i have so many emails to answer from mylot now, and thats for me for the past week deleting them before i even open them. Otherwise i'd never get done with these emails..LOL..Now if its a funny joke..I love to pass them on..like the chili one..did you get it?

2 people like this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

27 May 08

The chile one. Shite, I can't say that I did, but I'm not sure what address you sent it to. The hotmail one? I'll have to go check. BUt I think that if I did see it, I'd probably remember. Hmmm. And there's nothing wrong with deleting e-mails before you've opened them. Throw that guilt away! I almost never go to the e-mail address that Mylot has. It's chock full of garbage! I could drown in it!

danishcanadian

@danishcanadian (28953)

• Canada

27 May 08

I just ignore them. I don't have time for chain letters, and if the people who send them to me don't like the fact that I don't have time for chain letters, they can step into my shoes for a day and see if THEY have the time for chain letters.

1 person likes this

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

28 May 08

Boy, you don't sugarcoat it, do you? lol, nicely said, danishcanadian. If anyone reads your response here, I really dont think they'll be sending you any chain letters, nope. Thanks for stopping in - nice to see you.

raijin

@raijin (10345)

• Philippines

27 May 08

They are all over here, we receive them through text and via snail mail/email as well. It doesn't bother me much, but it does irritate me. I believe some people can't do things the good way, they make our beliefs and faith on something look bad. So for me, they are just a bunch of people who are seeking attention and preaching the wrong way. I mean, if I do believe in God then why would He allow something that would put me in a situation which is against His will..

1 person likes this

atttention seekers

giving faith a bad name

letters

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

28 May 08

Right, raijin, they don't make a lot of sense, do they? We don't believe in them, but there's still a tiny shred of doubt and superstition and that's what angers me. Someone taking advantage like that. I refuse to send any on, just on principle. And I understand they're illegal too. I never knew that! Great to see you, pangga mahal. Always. I hope you are well and feeling calm and happy. Please know that you're cared about and loved.

1 person likes this

lexus54

@lexus54 (3572)

• Singapore

27 May 08

I never believe in chain letters. I believed them only when I was a kid and that was umpteen years ago. For chain letters to work, the carrot and stick approach is applied... do this (i.e. send it along to others) and you will get some reward (receive luck or something); don't do this (if you don't pass it on) then you will get retribution (something bad will befall you). This approach is necessary I guess because chain letters are designed to prey (if I can use that term here) on the unsuspecting and the gullible amongst the many people who receive such letters. I find chain letters a waste of time and a little annoying sometimes, but thankfully I receive very little such letters these days probably because the people I communicate with are not so young anymore and don't believe in these things either. I must admit though that not all chain letters are annoying. Some offer you nice verses amidst captivating sceneries and soothing background music. I just enjoy them and then dispose of them in the waste-bin thereafter.

1 person likes this

lexus54

@lexus54 (3572)

• Singapore

29 May 08

Yes, I am fine thank you, and I always try and keep a happy disposition whatever the circumstances, because that eases the stresses of life. Hope you are fine too in every aspect of your life.

@novataylor (6570)

• United States

28 May 08

Yes, they are very carrot and stick, lexus, well said. And they DO prey on the gullible and unsuspecting, yes. They're just bad all the way around and I refuse to read them or pass any of them along. Even the pretty ones. Very nice to see you, lexus. I hope all is well with you and that you're happy.

poisonivez

@poisonivez (504)

• Norway

26 May 08

well, i dont get mad with those people who sent me chain letters because maybe they feel what i felt when i received and read the letter. I dont believe on those letters because ive received lots of them even before. But i dont know why, that sometimes after reading those letters, I would feel obligated to send those to others. I know its far from the truth what is written in there but it bugs me a lot especially with those letters that say, "something will happen to your loveones if you will not send this to others".. i would feel fear for my loveones because i was thinking that what if its true..what if something will happen to them. i know its silly! but i just dont want something will happen to them.. so why not give a minute of my time for this letters, besides, it wont cost me anything. Thats why, if a letter like this would be sent to me, I dont read it, so i wont feel obligated sending those to others.

2 people like this

fiona08

@fiona08 (454)

• United States

27 May 08

I hate them too! I think it is such bad form to wish someone luck, but in the same breath, threaten them with bad luck if they don't do as they are told! I think the ones that say, "If I receive this back I'll know we are friends", are just as bad. It is a good thing that most of the people who send them don't really take them seriously anyway. I do feel that pang of guilt as I hit delete. But hit it, I do. :)

1 person likes this