If an ex-boy/girlfriend sent you an email with "You'll probably never read this." as the subject line, would you read it?

Contributor: GenderSexplorations GenderSexplorations
Read it but probably not reply.
12/29/2011
Contributor: GONE! GONE!
I would be too curious not to, but wouldn't reply.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
I did receive an email like this once, and I couldn't help but open and read it. I chose not to respond.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Missmarc Missmarc
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
I realize the answer is pretty much "it depends on me, him, how the relationship ended." I don't want to burden the internet with tales of my past, so ... just answer for you. Would you open an email with that title?
For someone to write an e-mail with a title like that, they'd have to be very immature. I imagine it's most likely a chain forward e-mail. In my opinion, why not just say the things they want to say... why bother to play games when it's already too late. Lol!
12/30/2011
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
I'd read it, and it would REALLY depend on which ex it was from and what it said. Most of my exes and I are friends, but one would get ignored no matter what he said.
12/30/2011
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Email titles are kinda rough to write. I'd prolly open it when I felt ready to do so, but more than likely wouldn't respond until there was a driving need for me to do so.
12/30/2011
Contributor: LostBoy988 LostBoy988
No reason not to read it and at least be polite.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
I would definitely open it, there could be something important inside. Maybe there is something s/he has to tell you and email was the best way for them to say what they needed. I would maybe reply with something like please do not email me anymore I have moved on or I do not wish to hear from you.
12/30/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
I would read it. I am way too curious about things like that. I'd also probably reply, although of course it depends on the content and context and all that. I'm someone who hates to close doors and end things forever, so if an ex reached out (in a platonic, non-hurtful way), it'd be hard for me not to answer. This has caused me to drag things out way too long in the past, but it's sort of a guilty pleasure. Semi-drama about old feelings is just candy. Hum.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Selective Sensualist Selective Sensualist
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
I've remained friends with most of my exes (all of them except the two with strict "I never speak with my exes" policies, and one whose current girlfriend doesn't like him to talk with exes)... but most of them communicate in a ... more
Well, if there's been no bad blood, then what's the harm in opening it and reading what he has to say? It may very well not have anything to do with your past relationship at all. Perhaps he is going through a very rough spot in life and just needed to vent his feelings to someone--and you are just someone he thought of that he could trust to sort through what's happening to him. Perhaps he just found out that one of his parents, siblings, or a close friend is dying, and he doesn't know how to sort through his emotions and needs advice in handling the situation. Perhaps he is not seeking advice at all and just needs an ear (or an eye, in this case) to vent.

I feel better talking to someone who is distanced from my situation (who I also know and who I feel I can trust) so that I can gain better perspective. Maybe he remembers you as someone who always gave him good advice or someone who was always a sympathetic listener?

That said, you know best what the "temperature" of the situation was both before and after you broke up. If there was never any negativity or manipulation or bad feelings of any sort before this, then I would probably give him the benefit of doubt here in assuming anything negative and at least read the e-mail.

Good luck.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Gingy Gingy
id read it and then mock him
12/30/2011
Contributor: Allstars316 Allstars316
I read it. But had to respond. But just gave the information needed and nothing else. Since then she hasn't gotten in touch with me like that. At first it bothered me and I needed to talk to my friend. It happened this past week and I was surprised and went on with my life.
12/30/2011
Contributor: shcoo shcoo
That has happened to me twice. I read them both.

The first one was a load of fake shit about how she had completely changed, and how she had so many new things in common with me and wanted to be friends. Did not reply.

The second one was from a different person who apologized profusely and said they thought I hated them. I replied, but only to say "I don't hate you, but I have nothing else to say to you."
12/30/2011
Contributor: KyotoAngel KyotoAngel
It would depend on the ex, some of my relationships had amiable endings and some did not.
I think I'd open it straight away in case it was something like a suicide note. But I doubt I'd reply unless it was really needed.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I'd read it, but I'm 99% sure I'd never answer it. I have received an email in the past and I ignored it.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Megan Jean Megan Jean
I'm very nosy and curious, so I'd probably open it, but not reply.
12/30/2011
Contributor: Highmaintenancegirl916 Highmaintenancegirl916
I would open but depending on what it says I may or may not reply back.
12/30/2011
Contributor: TheSlyFox TheSlyFox
Depending on the contents i may or may not reply.
12/30/2011
Contributor: LAndJ LAndJ
I'd want to find out what it said, but probably wouldn't answer. I don't really want to deal with the past anymore now that I've been with someone else a long time.
12/31/2011
Contributor: zeebot zeebot
I'd definitely read it, but probably wouldn't reply - but it would depend which ex it was.
12/31/2011
Contributor: poetprincess poetprincess
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
I realize the answer is pretty much "it depends on me, him, how the relationship ended." I don't want to burden the internet with tales of my past, so ... just answer for you. Would you open an email with that title?
I would open it, read it and delete it..
12/31/2011
Contributor: Curiouscat Curiouscat
I would read it, and probably would not answer. Unless I was compelled to do so. I'd have to read it because i'd want to hear what they had to say, even if i'm not going to answer.
12/31/2011
Contributor: eeep eeep
I would read it, mostly because I am far too curious for my own good. I wouldn't be able to leave it alone. Whether or not I would answer would depend on the contents, and of course the relationship. If I still felt he was a good person and deserved to have the closure of an answer, I would attempt to write him back something at least. Often when someone writes something like that, they are looking for closure (for themselves and for the other person). Most of the exes that might write me something (those I am not still friends with) would most likely get no answer.
12/31/2011
Contributor: Peggi Peggi
I'd read it and probably reply. I've stayed friends with or continue to talk to all but 1 of my ex's, and if they have something to say why not listen? They all know that I'm not going to be getting back together with them, so if they sent me an email even addressing our previous issues, why not work out whatever emotions are going on, to try and help the friendship? My ex girlfriend and I did this about a year ago, when she needed to talk about our breakup and now we're best friends again and all is well.
12/31/2011
Contributor: voenne voenne
I wouldn't open it right away, it'd probably sit in my inbox for weeks before I got around to reading it... Good luck with reading/responding to whatever it is they sent to you.
12/31/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I'd read it, but I agree it's passive aggressive. I wouldn't respond because of that. I'm just very curious by nature and have to know everything about everything that's going on. If I didn't read it, I'd go insane or something. I only have bad blood with a select few ex's, so I don't know what any of them would need to email me about anyway!
12/31/2011
Contributor: Nazaress Nazaress
I would read it (if only to prove them wrong) but depending on the content and my relationship with them after the break-up, I probably wouldn't answer it.
01/08/2012
Contributor: Katelyn Katelyn
Quote:
Originally posted by Breas
I'd open it because I'd be curious.. I wouldn't reply though
I wouldn't be able to help myself!
01/09/2012
Contributor: Zombirella Zombirella
Quote:
Originally posted by Antipova
I realize the answer is pretty much "it depends on me, him, how the relationship ended." I don't want to burden the internet with tales of my past, so ... just answer for you. Would you open an email with that title?
I wouldn't open it, I have nothing and want nothing to do with any of my exes.
01/09/2012
Contributor: Midway through Midway through
I would open it, but then not respond. But only because I tend to like watching my ex act like emos. Obviously with a title like that it would probably follow suit that it would be an incredibly self pitying email.
01/09/2012