“Dear John” E-mails?

In the past several weeks, several onliners have e-mailed me about getting a “Dear John” e-mail and asking how they should reply. In my opinion, no reply is necessary — get on with your life!  Anyone who would treat you in that manner isn’t worth a another moment or milisecond of your time.  I know that is easier said than done when someone you care about is apparently so limp-wristed to behave in this manner, but I would not justify that type of an e-mail with are response.

One lady explaining that after a decade long relationship, that the Dear John e-mail not only ended things but made the statement to not bother replying or calling.  Fine — I would honor that request. What a cad! And a chicken boy to hide behind his monitor when it comes to something he should have been man enough to talk about in person about!!

Some things are not meant to be communicated by e-mail. Breaking up a relationship is certainly one of them! Not only is it extremely bad manners to send a Dear John e-mail, it is plain old selfish and reflects your lack of character in doing so.  Obviously anyone would be better off without a person in their life who cannot even give them the courtesy of contacting them on the phone or in person about such an important and emotional issue.

I have covered this topic in various articles but will do my best to continue to put folks on notice that sometimes you have to communicate face-to-face or at the very least on the phone in certain circumstances.  Even if it is more difficult — it is simply the right thing to do!

Unfortunately, there will always be those who are lean on character and integrity who will hide behind their screens when it comes to doing what’s right. That in of itself should speak volumes of the type of person they are (and are not!).

If you receive a Dear John e-mail, know you are better off without someone like that in your life. Hold your head high and think of it as though they did you a favor!

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