What to do about Return Receipt Abusers?

I’ve written about RRs on this site, including what return receipts are and how to use them. (What is an email Return Receipt (RR), and how do you use it properly?)

However, some folks have not read that article and need to refresh their technology skills. Many don’t know what they don’t know.

Regularly, someone fills out my ask-a-question form and asks how to address those who do not know how to use return receipts. So, here’s a note I have written to the Return Receipt Abuser in your life. Feel free to send folks to this page or just take my text and use it yourself.

Example Note to Return Recipt Abusers

Dear RRA:

I am writing this open letter to help you understand what return receipts are and how to use them. First, please stop requesting a return receipt with every email you send.

The RR or Return Receipt feature in your email program is frivolous. Being the recipient, I can decline/disregard the request for a return receipt as I do for every RR request I receive. So, what’s the point?

As I’m sure you can understand, I do not particularly appreciate senders wanting to know when I open or receive an email—that is my business, especially regarding day-to-day communications. Did you notice that I said “opened or received”? RR’s requests do not mean that I’ve actually read your message.

Maybe you can explain why you included an RR request in every email so I can understand. Are you trying to babysit the person on the other side? Is it curiosity or just being nosy?

RRs can serve a purpose on important and legal emails where knowing the other side received the email is critical. However, when most simply decline these requests today, it is more of a nuisance, and you risk being annoying by having this feature engaged for your everyday communications.

I am open to understanding why you continue engaging RRs on every email you send. I look forward to your reply.

Thank you,