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When we asked how you felt about email forwarding we received a barrage of responses. We thought we'd share some of our favourites, since they've got great tips about how to handle this nagging problem
- Let people know how you feel
'I've emailed people who have repeatedly forwarded me useless emails and asked them to take me off their list, explaining that I just don't have time to read them all and that I'm wary of viruses in attachments.' —iVillager pattidan
- Put an end to Internet rumours
'The forwarded emails I can't stand are chain letters and the urban legends that people buy into. The best revenge is using information to debunk their message. This usually takes care of them.' —iVillager pattidan
- Use discretion
'My rules: only forward stuff that is really worth your time and theirs. Never forward to a mailing list unless it's something like health tips that would apply to everyone you know. The chances are that your friends and colleagues don't all share exactly the same sense of humour or life circumstances, so discriminate. Remember: just because you can doesn't mean you should.' —iVillager graceplace
- Show where the email originated
'The only time I forward an email is if I get a really good joke or some animated clips that are funny. And I only send them to friends and family. I also type in the subject line saying who it is coming from. (Example - Fwd: a joke from *name*.) It might help if more people did something like this, then at least you know who you are getting it from and whether you think you want to read it.' —iVillager hwsmom
- Delete the gobbledygook
'I love a joke or poem as much as the next person, but the headers and rubbish that come with them take time to get the message on your screen sometimes. I find this very frustrating. If I do find a piece worthy of forwarding or sending to friends and family, I copy only the main text of the mail. I then create a fresh email so that the recipient doesn't know it’s been around the world six times. It only takes a second longer to do it.' —iVillager anonymous
- Enlist the help of software
'The kinds of forwarded emails I receive have at least 50 names in the address field. I hate them and delete them without reading because you never know what they might have attached to them. Also, I don't like my email address being seen by thousands of people. I found the solution to my problem. It is a free mailing programme called Aureate Group Mail. It was a little complicated at first but it is the best one I have found. The programme will send to thousands of names but only show one name, as if each email were sent to only one person. I love it.' —iVillager junemorhain
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