Thursday Curmudgeon – Xmas Edition

Is it just me or is everyone else sick of getting “wishing you a merry christmas” emails flooding their inboxes?
I know, I know – we’re all hella busy and this is the time of year we are supposed to reconnect, so sending an on-line card or email seems like a quick solution.

But it reeks of insincerity. And its spam. So stop – pretty please?

Say what you will about the post office but the physical act of writing something – even your name – and applying a stamp forced people to put some kind of filter on who they sent holiday cards to. Now we are all a wrist flick away from a list of 600 people you “care” about.

If you really care about me stop cluttering my in-box with holiday flavored spam. Just so you know – these emails are kill-on-sight for me – I don’t even open them.

Social Media Meets the Holidays

Good social media is personal, sincere, and conversational. These on-line cards don’t meet any one of these criteria. It is an old broadcast mentality hijacking the new technology.

Normally the Curmudgeon doesn’t make suggestions – he just gripes and the world moves on ignoring the muttering figure in the corner with the askew elf hat and a fistful of cookies.

• Take the same minute you would have to write a physical card and send a personal note to those you truly care about. Ask them a question – start a conversation that will last into the new year. Write from the heart.
• Go on to Facebook and scribble on the walls of your real friends (you know – the ones who would help you move on an hot August Saturday).
• Pick up the phone and call already.

Oh – and to all my friends out there – Happy Holidays. I mean it – really.