Gone is the thrill of the postman's ring

In the good old days, letter writing was an art. Who amongst us has not received a letter that we've read and re-read and then put aside to add to our personal memory chest of treasured keepsakes? Who can forget waiting anxiously for the postman's ring, hoping he'd bring that long-awaited letter?

But with modern technology playing such a big part in our lives, it is not surprising that the simple exercise of writing a letter has become a rush job. Very few seem to want to take the time to put pen to paper, find an envelope and go to a post office, preferring instead to sit in front of a computer, say 'check mail', then 'reply' and hit the 'send' button.

The term 'snail mail' may connote slowness, but for me it's like home brewed tea; a process that may take time but is nevertheless far more enjoyable than the instant flavour. There's nothing like the fun of receiving a letter, peering at the handwriting and trying to guess the identity of the sender, then opening it, reading and savouring its contents.

No, I am not a technophobe, but I do miss receiving a letter now and then and even writing one. Writing a letter gives you more time to reflect on what to say and even to use different stationery which adds a more personal touch. 

Even birthday cards have turned out to be non-existent with most resorting to e-cards, these days. I love receiving e-cards and mail, but nothing beats the thrill of seeing a real handwritten letter. 

Snail mail, one might add, was most convenient when you had been tardy in replying your letter. When you send an e-mail, you expect a reply immediately and if you don't get one you become rather suspicious. A reasonable excuse would be that the system was down, but for how many days can you say that? When it comes to snail mail, you could always blame it on the Sri Lanka Post. Let's face it- how many of you have had letters misrouted or lost! Plausible denial works!

Then there's no bother with junk mail cluttering up your computer. Snail mail might take you a couple of days to get to you, but you never have to scroll past umpteen addresses of unknown folks to receive the same boring message which begins with ' "this really makes money", or ">>>>>>" characters or "send it to 25 people or you will face disaster".

Sriyani, a housewife is one who takes the trouble to keep in touch, via email or snail mail and chooses the mode of writing depending on the occasion. If it's just a matter of keeping in touch, she would use, e-mail but if it's an important matter like condoling with someone who's lost a loved one, she finds sending a letter more personal.

"I believe in 'letter craft' where I can find the appropriate words depending on the situation. That sadly is now lost, because with e-mail we just dash off a message and don't take the trouble to choose the appropriate words," she says.

Snail mail may take longer, but it's much better, she says. For instance, cards and letters are tangible evidence of one's affection and what's more, you can hold on to them. "Sending a letter to someone who is lonely, makes such a difference in their lives," but we can't really keep messages in our computer forever, can we? Here even if the sender is no longer living, you still have his or her letter with you.

E-mails moreover are virtually instant, that being at times, both an advantage and a disadvantage. "If you write a letter when you are angry, you can always change your mind about sending it, but in e-mail you hit the send button and it's gone even before you could think," she said.

Former Public Servant, Bradman Weerakoon says he has now switched to sending e-mails as it is quicker . With time your handwriting deteriorates and now his writing is full of scrawls, so he finds e-mail neater and nicer, he says. 

"I still go the old fashioned way where cards are concerned," he said, adding that sending a letter through snail mail is a hassle, as you have to get an envelope, stamps and go to the post office and still not be sure whether the person has received it.

"The only problem with e-mail is the number of useless e-mails you get; most are not serious and then you have to be concerned about viruses too," he pointed out.

Mr. Weerakoon still has a large number of cards which he has been saving over some time and adds that if it is an e-mail from his children he takes a print out to keep.

Working mum Champa recalled how she used to paste stickers on her letters and use perfumed note pads. "I still do write the occasional letter, but most often to people who don't have access to e-mail, who are very few." 

For some busy people, e-mails are great ways to keep in touch sans hassle. Says Chaminda, a young executive "I really can't see myself sitting down to write a letter. My friends and I keep in touch now thanks to e-mail which is much faster. I'm also sure that my message has been received." 

So before you next shoot off an 'e-msg', think awhile. How about going out, buying some stationery or a card, putting pen to paper, and getting back to that letter writing habit.

That will definitely add some joy to the receiver. Hopefully the next time you check your mailbox, no, not voice-mail or e-mail, but the box outside your gate, it won't be another bill... but an actual hand written letter!

Rush in your views

The Editor,
The Sunday Times,
P.O.Box 1136
Colombo.

E-mail: stfeat@wijeya.lk

P.S. This is the last week the coupon will be published in the PLUS, so hurry-in your views.

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