I find it annoying when people send me email and they request a return receipt. My email program tells me when I click on the email that the sender has requested a return receipt–essentially proof that I’ve opened up the email. I have the option of sending the return receipt or not.  If I send the return receipt, I feel obligated to reply to the email sooner rather than later. If I don’t send the return receipt, I feel like I’m being deceptive.  It’s a no-win situation.

What really irritates me is when the email is not asking for a reply but the sender wants to promote a particular position on something they feel is important.  Is the sender so insecure that they feel they have to have proof that their words have been read, even if the receiver doesn’t really care?  Okay, maybe I’m being harsh.  Maybe there’s a completely different perspective on return receipts that I’m not appreciating. Then again, maybe not.

Okay, I’m done being pissy.  Pet peeve over.