Three Questions: What Makes A Good Pen Pal?...

[dnb]

What makes a good pen pal?

What makes you favor one over another?

What makes you stop writing to one?

[Halden]

What makes a good pen pal?

 

So far I have found that the best pen pals have been the ones that are most open about themselves and their interests. I love getting letters from people that are different politically, economically, spiritually...whatever. I find this is a great way to learn, especially if both sides are willing to hear and listen to one and another.

 

What makes you favor one over another?

 

This is a tricky one, as I am not sure I could put a finger on it. I guess the easiest way is similar style, not necessarily same personality or backgroung as many of my pen pals are from competely different walks of life and upbringings but if their writing style is good and they can carry on an honest and interesting conversation then they get the nod from me.

 

What makes you stop writing to one?

 

I have yet to stop writing to a pen pal so I do not know but I would imagine a waning interest or that there just wasn't enough in common. I would hope that most would at least notify their pen pal of their intention to cease.

Edited November 21, 2010 by Halden

[dnb]

Hi Halden,

I'm in the middle of writing to you! Should be in tomorrow's mail. Good input. Thanks.

Dave

[PhotoJim]

For me, it's pretty straightforward. My favourite pen pals are the ones that I care most about. I come to care about them by having things in common with them and developing a rapport with them.

 

My favourite pen pal is one I've had for 24 years that lives in Australia. We've grown up together, in a very real way. We've lost touch for a year or two or three a couple of times but we never completely drift apart. We met three years ago and discovered that the rapport is as real in person as it is on paper.

 

She and I would be best friends if we lived near each other, so it's easy to have a great relationship with letters, too.

[linearM]

What makes a good pen pal? A good pen pal is one that responds and is interesting. When I approach a FPNer about snail mailing I usually check their profile to see if we have some shared interests or something that I know nothing about that would be interesting to find out about.

 

What makes you favor one over another? I like a pen pal who engages in a conversation; books they've read, ideas, creative pursuits, family. I find that if a pen pal just lists what has happened since the last letter, I'm not as interested.

 

What makes you stop writing to one? If there is no response to a letter after a reasonable time, I begin to wonder. I usually send a second letter and wait for a response. I don't send a third letter. Sometimes a person is just busy or something happens in their life. I've had pleasant surprises of letters arriving after more than a year of silence. I'd much prefer, if a person is busy, that they just send a quick note...Sorry, lifes crazy right now, will get back to you later.

 

Dnb I enjoy exercising my writing hand and putting my fountain pens to work, check out my profile, if you are interested in snail mailing give me a holler.

[Halden]

Dave,

 

I look forward to it and glad my input was helpful.

 

Photojim,

 

That sounds really nice.

[Strang]

What makes a good pen pal?

 

I think a good penpal is different things to different people. I have lots of penpals and they are all good, but they're different. Some write short, cordial, infrequent letters that cover health, work, family, book reports, and the weather in their part of the world. Some penpals write extensively about pens, ink, and paper. Some combine the two styles and write quite detailed and personal letters covering a myriad of topics. I like all types and find that it is interesting how much my replies are fitted to the style of letter I receive.

 

What makes you favor one over another?

 

I like all my penpals but I find I am closest to those who are willing to give me a glimpse of their lives beyond the colour of ink they are using and the weather outside their window.

 

 

What makes you stop writing to one?

 

So far I have not stopped writing to any of my penpals and I'm not sure what would make me do that. Some have stopped writing to me. Of those, only one wrote to say he wouldn't be writing any more.

[countrydirt]

I enjoy all of my penpals. I even enjoy deciphering some of the handwriting - as I am sure some of my penpals do with mine.

 

I originally tried to avoid any discussion of politics and/or religion, but this always led to superficial letters that were sort of boring. So I have changed, I am not afraid to ask questions about religion or politics and often find that despite differences, we have much in common!

 

I sometimes favor some over others because we just seem to "click"

 

I have stopped writing because I got busy and because I am so disorganized, I lost the addresses. For that I apologize. I have never had a penpal offend me or cause me any anxiety.

[dickydotcom]

What makes you stop writing to one? If there is no response to a letter after a reasonable time, I begin to wonder. I usually send a second letter and wait for a response. I don't send a third letter. Sometimes a person is just busy or something happens in their life. I've had pleasant surprises of letters arriving after more than a year of silence. I'd much prefer, if a person is busy, that they just send a quick note...Sorry, lifes crazy right now, will get back to you later.

 

Totally agree with that.

 

Dick D

[Barnett]

These are great questions. I often thought it would be enjoyable to have a few pals to pen around with, but I wasn't sure if I would make a good pen pal. The replies offered give me a bit of insight and may prompt me to take the plunge.

Bart

[Miranda]

What makes a good pen pal? Umm. Responding! Sorry, dnb, your letter arrived and I am yet to reply.

 

 

And letter etiquette. Should one PM the sender to say the letter has arrived? And let them know how soon a reply should be expected? Does one let them know that a letter has been sent? I know there is that posted letters topic, but what if I only write to a few people and don't want to be overwhelmed by all the postings there.

 

thanks for any clarification.

[Halden]

Miranda if you want to update the arrival/departure of letters do so in the FPN Post Office. Happy Mailing.

 

H

[dnb]

HI Miranda,

Of the pals that I have, none of us PMs arrival or departure. Personally, I haven't used the FPN Post Office, but I did see that at least 2 pals there who do.For me, I like to try to turn letters around or I feel I lose rapport. Some folk are on the same schedule and others not. That makes it easier on me, too. Because I know they are not bugged by when they respond, it frees me in case something comes up and I can't respond quickly.

Look forward to your letter.

Aloha,

Dave