Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

["Alan MacHett" <machett AT ibiblio.org>]

I'm the last person from whom to take advice on tact.  My answer most
likely isn't the polite thing to do.  Still, it seemed to work.

My mother is ... /was/ in the habit of forwarding everything to me, and
each included all of the previous forwarding individuals' comments and
email addresses.  The last one, several weeks ago, was a complete myth
(the Heinz ketchup thing) and I'd had enough.

I took the time to compile a list of all the contained email addresses, 71
of them to be exact, my mother's included.  Then I created a discussion
list and signed them all to it.  Next I analyzed the BS email and made my
responses to each point, finally emailing it all to the new list.  I
started by explaining how rude it is to not edit one's forwarded messages
and how it's a potential violation of everyone else's privacy by leaving
their addresses intact, obviously.

I haven't heard a peep since.  Not exactly polite, but I don't think it
was threatening or mean, either.

-Alan

In reference to Michael Czeiszperger's message:
> What's the polite thing to do with email from internet unsavy relatives
> who are regularly forwarding hoaxes, both urban and political.  The
> typical email will have been forwarded many times, and I'm usually
> included on a very long list of friends and relatives.  Should I:
>
> 1. Reply only to the author with links to the appropriate section of
> snopes.com?
> 2. Reply to everyone on the list?
>
> I've been trying #1 and its not working, since the offending emailers
> never see fit to let everyone know that the story is a hoax. :-(
>