Mail: To Open ... Or Toss? - Andy Rooney (his usual wit and wisdom)

[Endangered Specie]

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/15/60minutes/rooney/main709471.shtml

snip:
When I spoke about mail a few weeks ago, I said I often throw away a letter without opening it. Tonight, I thought I’d tell you how I decide what to throw away.

First, if the word "important" is on the envelope, you can be pretty sure there's nothing important inside. Toss that! If it happens to be a bill, don't worry. They'll send another.

The word "important" has been used so much that it has lost its importance, so they now often substitute "urgent." Another variation on "important" is "do not discard." Discard any envelope with do not discard on it.

snip

Near the top of my list of mail I throw away without opening is anything that comes to my house addressed "Current occupant." I've been in the house for 53 years. I am not a "Current occupant." I'm at home.

Mail addressed "To our neighbors" is in the same category. This is a letter I opened by mistake. It begins, "Dear Property Owner."
Well, how dear do you think I am to anyone who addresses me that way?

"Dear wastebasket. Here's a letter."

:) a great read. video available too
http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/i_video/main500251.shtml
click on '60 minutes' and 'play under 'rooneys mailbag'

[wallwriter]

1. I susally find him pretty annoying, but the last line is great.

[Historic NY]

2. I've started a "new rule" at my house it goes in the garbage can....

before it ever sets foot indoors. This way I don't have to sort through my regular mail to find the junk stuff. A perfect time saver.