Is it impolite to ask someone to stop sending stupid emails?

Question

My aunt, who is just trying to be helpful, keeps sending me e-mails about lead in lipstick, termites in mulch, how to prevent attempted kidnappings, and other "useful" information. Once I sent to her a link to snopes.com that showed her e-mail was incorrect but she still sends me junk without checking if it's real or fake. I know it takes just a second for me to delete her e-mails but it just annoys me. Should I say anything? She's a nice lady.

Answer 1

It may be harsh but I couldn't stand my friend's stupid 'Friendly' emails any more. Some chain letters even said 'If you don't pass this around to xx people you'll have bad luck in your life!'. Anyway I politely told her, 'I'm getting some important emails to this account, and I'm afraid your emails are clogging up my account. Thank you for good information but I really need to keep my account clear so that I get those emails.' She got the idea and stopped sending them...they were so stupid to be honest. Who needs reminding that 'Your friend is important' 'Today is national friends' day (which is not even true)' anyway?

Answer 2

I had the problem before. I just told the person that I enjoy corresponding with them but they have sent me so much chain mail and junk mail that I no longer read their messages. They said they understood and stopped no big deal.  

Answer 3

Stupid emails are also know as SPAM and I'm pretty sure that it is illegal under the 1964 malicious communications act. Research it and then send that to her as an email and see what happens

Answer 4

a lady from my church was sending me a ton of emails like that and every time i would send her the snopes link to that particular email. she eventually got the message and quit sending them. i doubt she wants to send you misinformation as im sure she really does believe these emails. when she realizes that they arent true she will stop. youll be doing her a favor too in the long run. another good site for debunking those emails is truthorfiction.com.  

Answer 5

If she's your aunt and a nice lady, just be cool about it and ignore them...don't say anything to her cuz you know it's going to upset her at least a little...

at least she's not sending you "chain emails"...I get them from this dumb a** at church who likes to start them out saying "lets see if satan can stop THIS one!"...as if I don't send it to 20 other people I'm an agent of satan!...I delete those immediately ;-)..........

Answer 6

Just tell them that you do not answer junk mail and you will delete it unread.Most of it will stop.Mine did.

Answer 7

I would just look in the subject line.  If it's a forward, delete it.  It sounds like she means well, but I know exactly what you mean.  

Answer 8

this is touchy but i think its best to delete it and when she asks just i have a lot of mail comming in ..which one was it ? that way its not rude and hurts no one  

Answer 9

Yeah, I've had the same problem.  There seem to be some people who just can't help doing it.  Just delete them.

Answer 10

I THINK IT WOULD BE BEST TO DELETE THEM.

YOU DON`T WANT TO HURT HER FEELINGS.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU.

Answer 11

If it's your aunt, I wouldn't say anything. Simply delete.

Sometimes it is necessary to be impolite, but usually not with people older than oneself or relatives.