Dear Judy,
My grandmother died of Alzheimer’s. That was 8 months ago. She had six children, 15 grandchildren (me among them), and lots of cousins, nieces, etc. Meaning, a network.
One of the nieces (or maybe a grand-niece or a great-niece, no idea), keeps emailing all the rest of us about this and that. Grandma’s quilts and Grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. Cousin Lenny’s new book, just out, and Cousin Al’s bronchitis. It’s driving me nuts.
I’m all for family, but this social networker grand-niece is a real nuisance. Also I don’t care about most of my cousins. Any way I can opt out of a social network with tentacles without being totally rude and lame?
Phil
Dear Phil,
Yes, of course there’s a way to opt out out of social network with all those tentacles.
Just don’t answer the emails.
Thanks for writing
Judy
Phil, don’t drop out. You might find out something you’d like to know. Perhaps someone is passing down an old family photo that you might be interested in. Also, you can always skim it over. I really don’t see the problem with having one extra email in your mail box.
Social networks make me long for the days of carrier pigeons, or snail mail!
I am an only child, adopted by a loving couple who gave me everything except family. For reasons I will not elaborate, I have not contacted my birth family. My mother is an only child. My father’s family did not like my mother (different race and social standing) and basically cut him off when they married. I was lucky enough to marry a wonderful man and we have lovely children. My job is rewarding in every way. Is anything missing from my life? Yes. An extended family. Phil, count your blessings.
Phil, set up filters on your email to put messages from this person directly into the trash. Or, put them in a special folder. Then, you can periodically scan them to see if there is anything important.