So I was reading an old article on dig about letter writing today and I was wondering what everyone else thought. The article was pretty badly written and mostly filler so I won't link it, but I've read similar before and it reminded me of those.

From friends, family, or anyone who doesnt fall into bills and advertisements....
When was the last time you got a hand written letter?
A typed letter?
An email?

I'm pretty sure you've been likely to get those in reverse order. Why do you think that is though? To be honest I prefer letter writing on the computer because I don't have to start and stop and I can squeeze things in and take them out at my leisure. It makes my letter quality better, and I can print it to send it to one or more people. I usually DO send letters like that via mail though.

The last letter I posted via mail was hand written to my boyfriend at boot camp. The time before that I printed multiple pages to send to family members in a newsletter like fashion. The last long email letter I wrote was 2 days ago and I definitely do that more frequently.....I guess because it's more instant so I can know that who ever I sent it to will get it that day or the next.

Anyway, your turn! Is letter writing in the snail mail sense dying out and why?

Yes, its been overtaken by better technology... I don't think anybody really wants to send a letter through the mail that they could send in a text message or call and say to the person themselves over the telephone.  Even E-mailing is pretty well dead... all I ever get is business stuff and forwards.

I get letters from my Grandfather on a regular basis, every time he sends me money to buy kids birthday gifts. His handwriting has gotten shakier, but I cherish those letters, even if they are just a few lines and I will miss them when he passes on. He also emails me sometimes too, because its easier than talking on the phone because he is almost deaf.
I have a family friend who sends out a typed (printed) newsletter type letter once a year, which is kinda cool.
Personally I dont really write letters or emails unless I have a specific reason to do so.

I used to have a pen pal but it takes too long for the letters to get from Aus to Usa and it costs too much lol....so we sort of stopped.

But as Jake said, so many people are living similar to him where they've gone paperless on their bills and their peers email if they need them.

Soon mail will be a package delivery service and companies will force paperless .

My family prefers letters to email....but we're well off enough to use FedEX and send over a dozen personal letters a week via it.

LOL. Are you serious?

I have to agree, letters by hand are getting pretty rare because a lot of people now text or e-mail.

That being said the last time I received an actual written letter was probably 2-3 years ago to friend in school. (we wouldn't get to see each other much during school so we would write about 3 pages to each other daily.

A typed letter to be honest I can't even remember the last time I got one.

An e-mail just today. I e-mail a whole lot as I text a lot

Simply because letter writing has become less popular (clearly I'm on the anti-dead bandwagon) I like to write handwritten letters to my dear friends. Maybe it's because getting a letter is the mail is novel, maybe it's because I remember the excitement of getting mail, I don't really know.

But I do know how much friends and family appreciate letters that arrive in their mailbox. That's probably because letter writing isn't as easy, as cheap or as quick as firing off an email. And that's exactly why letter writing the old way shows someone how much you care.

But I do have friends (mostly my overseas friends) who I email and receive emails that are as caring and formal (with salutations, PSs, etc)  as a letter in the mail. I get the same giddy getting mail feeling for those.

To me it's the love that goes into a letter, email or snail mail that counts.

Letter writing is a comfort, that is true. I like to sit in the sun and write mine. I have a fantastic window box seat that does the trick!

FlanneryCam (12:50am Tue, Aug 21, 2012)

Simply because letter writing has become less popular (clearly I'm on the anti-dead bandwagon) I like to write handwritten letters to my dear friends. Maybe it's because getting a letter is the mail is novel, maybe it's because I remember the excitement of getting mail, I don't really know.

But I do know how much friends and family appreciate letters that arrive in their mailbox. That's probably because letter writing isn't as easy, as cheap or as quick as firing off an email. And that's exactly why letter writing the old way shows someone how much you care.

But I do have friends (mostly my overseas friends) who I email and receive emails that are as caring and formal (with salutations, PSs, etc)  as a letter in the mail. I get the same giddy getting mail feeling for those.

To me it's the love that goes into a letter, email or snail mail that counts.

I have to agree with you, I personally appreciate it and like it a lot more when people send me things by mail. It seems more personal or something I'm not sure, it's just exciting to know that someone thought of you and decided to send you mail.

I don't send much mail just because usually when I send others mail they just e-mail me back a response so it kind of defeits the purpose

I write letters whenever I'm dressed like this:



I can usually find enough time between floggings, wench-wooings and picking maggots out of the "fresh" produce to pen a missive or two. The fact that I do so with a feather quill and rice paper (the latter picked up during a routine transit of Batavia) should in no way belittle the modern methods of witchcraft.

Instead, one should value the inherent worth, longevity and personal touches that such messages contain. That they are now delivered by a branch of the government responsible for the creation of the phrase "going postal" should in no way dissuade us from bestowing our custom upon them.

The last time I wrote a real letter, it would've been in middle school when I was still trying to keep in touch with my grade school friends. We didn't have the internet yet, so we couldn't talk often.

I do still write "real emails," though. You know the kind.... not just Facebook status updates or forwarded funny pictures. The kind where you actually fill each other in on how your lives are going, check in on each other, etc? Yep, I still do those...although even that is really rare. Pen and paper are pretty much extinct for keeping in contact.

Technology has evolved everything. Now a days, people are on their laptops and phones instead of writing letters. Although writing letters to Santa still exists, people are now moving on to calling and emailing each other. Also, most people communicate on Facebook and Twitter for their updates. I also remember PenPals when I was young and that I would write letters to my friend and he would write letters back. It was really fun to read his letters and his writing skills are great. This was when before technology has evolved.

Letter writing is dead, killed by email.
Now the question, is email dead, killed by text messages?
Actually I know I do still write the periodic letter to a relative who has not latched on to the computer and internet.  But for the most part I see an email as a letter of sorts.
I know, this is supposedly about the letters that get actually mailed.
Even when I write a letter, I use the computer rather than a pen.
My handwriting is not a thing of beauty and I can make revisions.
Actually I do email and I like it. Text messaging not so much. In fact I have left that alone.
I don't really feel too much of a need for it in my life.
That may be a whole other thread.
Ryder13

Story time:

I have a friend, and we sometimes write letter to eachother. It is a lot more personal and private. Also HOW FRIGGING EXCITING IS WHEN YOU GET MAIL!?

The end.

Idea: We should start a penpal thingy. That would be nice.

Christian (12:40am Thu, Nov 15, 2012)

Idea: We should start a penpal thingy. That would be nice.

I might be up for that. I would hate to commit to it and then get too busy or forget to follow through. I know I'm way more reliable with email than I am with handwritten letters. It's an interesting idea, though.

QuirkyJessi (11:10am Thu, Nov 15, 2012)

Christian (12:40am Thu, Nov 15, 2012)

Idea: We should start a penpal thingy. That would be nice.

I might be up for that. I would hate to commit to it and then get too busy or forget to follow through. I know I'm way more reliable with email than I am with handwritten letters. It's an interesting idea, though.

Emails just aren't as personal...Plus I think it is TOO easy and fast. There usually doesn't pass enough time for me to think about things to add to my letter. I really just don't like emails I think! PLUS I like doodling and doodles and emails don't work too well for me.

That would be AWESOME. Christian post that idea in the staff section. We'd need to look into it because obviously addresses would be exchanged so we would need to protect ourselves legally, and of course our members! I just don't have the time to look into that tonight.

To be honest, it's been a while since I received a hand written letter. I think the last one I received about fifteen years ago. The last one I wrote also about fifteen years ago and it was for my friend whose parents had decided to buy an apartment in different city. It changed when we both started using the internet more often than before. E-mails are more comfortable and basically free. You don't have to buy the envelope and a stamp. It's also the fastest way to exchange information. Sending a hand written letter usually means that the person you wrote to will receive it in a couple of days, not in a minute. That's why e-mails are more popular than hand written letters.

Maybe it would be an ideal to spend a little bit more time on emails, rather than just spit 'em out. Is that what makes them of less value than the traditional letter? Because they are not as well thought out or well-written?
I know you can get an email that is just two maybe three words. Maybe even one word.  IE  "DONE."
Short and to the point. Some emails don't even carry the salutation. I generally do use this. It is my style, hey I am as they say, old school.Some might say just straightforward old.
Of course you don't want or tend to do this one word or two word thing with letters. I guess because of the time involved. But yeah, if I need to know something, hell, who wants to get the info exchange via e-mail and who wants to go via snail mail. Maybe it is just simply the rarity of a letter these days that makes it special rather than the nature of the beast itself.
Ryder13

The difference between emails and written letters is the same as that between "having sex" and "making love".

It's the attention to details, the personal touches and the passion. You can do it quickly, just to be done with it, or you can take your time and create something memorable.

Emails don't always have salutations and what not because they're more conversation than reply....If I'm in a conversation I don't have to say hello, or remind what was said....I just talk. In a letter you have to say hi before the conversation begins...they literally are conversations of their own right.

Also I hate it when people reply to old emails for a new conversation. What the hell is that crap?!

Bunny (12:17am Tue, Nov 20, 2012)

... Also I hate it when people reply to old emails for a new conversation. What the hell is that crap?!

March 23^rd, 1861

Abraham Lincoln
President of the United States of America
Washington, D.C.
USA

My Dearest Mr. Swithins:

I deeply regret the quagmire into which the Union is falling, and you may be assured that I will strive mightily to once again create a true Union, one in which all men are equal under the law and the eyes of God.

With Prayers For Peace
Abraham Lincoln

_______________________________________ _______________________________________ ___

January 13, 1996

George Swithins IV
Yonkers, NY

Yo, Linky!

What do you think about all that jive goin' down in Afghanistan? Should the rebels be given CIA sponsorship or what?

Later, Links!
George

EXACTLY!! It's so infuriating!!

I'm making a point to write more letters to the people I care about. Although we communicate my email, facebook, phone, skype, whatnot, I find you can go places in a letter you might not normally talk about. And there's something about carrying on one conversation in a letter correspondence that is totally different from the one you carry on in real life via skype or the phone or in person.

Letters can be fun. But for letters to be fun, both parties need to be active. I guess I'm lucky. I have a group of 5 or so people who consistently write letters in reply to my letters.

I want to be one of those authors to have her correspondence published... Haha.

It's been a couple of years since I last wrote a letter by hand and posted it by mail.  As soon as I had a laptop and access to a printer,I found that much easier and faster. However sometimoes I write a small letter written by hand along with a small present that I'm sending; because that's more personal than a printed one

Kenny (04:56am Tue, Dec 25, 2012)

It's been a couple of years since I last wrote a letter by hand and posted it by mail.  As soon as I had a laptop and access to a printer,I found that much easier and faster. However sometimoes I write a small letter written by hand along with a small present that I'm sending; because that's more personal than a printed one

That, plus it's kind of difficult to put anthrax into an email ...

You couldn't jut save it as an attachment, SifuPhil?

Kimberley (11:15pm Tue, Jan 15, 2013)

You couldn't jut save it as an attachment, SifuPhil?

Hey, I never thought of that!

*opens bottle of anthrax*

The last time I received a handwritten letter in the mail was the summer after I graduated. This kid wrote me a letter telling me he really liked me lol. It was sweet, but I didn't like him. So I had to write him an awkward letter back...

The last time I wrote a handwritten letter was probably two months ago.

I hand write letters all the time. Call me "old fashioned". Yes, I agree with you in regards to typing on the computer, the quality is much better. You can edit and make additions. I actually re-write the entire letter multiple times until it comes out perfect. No, I do not have a lot of time on my hands, but I like the look. That look of many years ago when there were no computers and  everything had to be hand written. It just makes me feel like the person will appreciate it more because of how you wrote it and what you placed it on. It is so much more convenient to use the technology we have at hand. A few clicks of a button and you are done. A pen and paper call for much more then that. I appreciate everything given to me no matter what the method. However, when I receive something hand written, I know that it took a lot more time then if it is printed up. I am not stating that the quality of the content is any less. I am a little weird. I told you I was old school lol.

Email has replaced regular letter writing. Since email is faster, cheaper and easier, there is really no reason to write letters anymore. I think mainly older people still write letters because many of them haven't adapted to modern technology. However, a lot of people still pay bills in the mail. I personally don't see the point, since you have to pay for stamps and wait several days for the payment to actually arrive to the destination.

I write my grandmother letters every week. She loves writing and doesn't own a computer so even if I wanted to switch to email(which I don't) I wouldn't be able to.

I do think that the only people who write letters these days are those who were born in the generation before computers became the norm. The majority of people who I know will send emails to people who they want to talk to, and most of the time now I know that they will get in touch via social networking websites if there is any way that they can do this. I understand that it is much easier to do this, but at the same time I love getting letters, as it makes me feel as though people are making an effort to get in touch with me, and that they care about the things that they're writing. When you're online, you can be in contact with people all of the time if you should want to, and this means that you can often end up chatting about things that neither of you really care about, and getting in touch just isn't as special as it might have been in the past.

Whenever I want to get in touch with people at Christmas, I will always still send physical cards and letters of thanks if somebody sends something to me. I know it takes a bit longer, and costs more due to stamps, but I love the fact that people can then keep hold of what I send to them, whereas if you send an email then things will just get mixed up with the random spam messages that people receive on a daily basis.

I still write love letters to my beloved. An email, a text, a tweet, for love? Still can't beat a letter, hands down.

It is a rare occasion when I write a letter.  I just wrote a thank you letter to a woman I met on a message board because she spent the time and energy to package up a product sample, go down to the post office and mail it to me. I think sending her an electronic thank you would be in bad form.  I guess it all depends on the situation.  My mother and father are in their eighties and the bright spot of their day is to walk over to the mailbox and get the mail. 

My daughter still loves getting "real mail" as opposed to electronic mail. she just likes holding them in her hand.

I just wrote 4 letters for my boyfriend this week because he's not going to be able to see me for a few days...and I wanted him to know I was thinking of him . I do that a lot, write to him and put them on his person without him knowing .

I don't think letter writing is dead because there are still a lot of people write letters by hand. I still write letters by hand because I send letters to my wife every other month because we temporarily live far away from each other. One of my friends writes letters only by hands because she sends letters to friends and family who live far way from her. I think there are older generations who would like to write letters by hand, which they are ones who don't like or know about technology as much as some of us do.

QuirkyJessi (11:00am Thu, Aug 23, 2012)

The last time I wrote a real letter, it would've been in middle school when I was still trying to keep in touch with my grade school friends. We didn't have the internet yet, so we couldn't talk often.

I do still write "real emails," though. You know the kind.... not just Facebook status updates or forwarded funny pictures. The kind where you actually fill each other in on how your lives are going, check in on each other, etc? Yep, I still do those...although even that is really rare. Pen and paper are pretty much extinct for keeping in contact.

Seriously? I think you're the only one that still writes real e-mails beside I. It's quite sad that paper and pen becomes something in the past. I don't use paper and pen to take notes anymore.

Yeah pretty much.  Other forms of communication have really taken over.  Why wait a week for a response when I can email you and cut out 4 days of transit time?