Would you steal someone else’s post? Poll Results/Discussion

Former_MSE_Wendy · 4 March 2008 at 12:32PM

Poll between 4-11 Mar 08. Would you steal someone elses post?

Imagine a magazine you love arrives in a transparent envelope addressed to someone who used to live at your address. You have no forwarding address and no way to get in touch with them. Which of these is closest to what you’d do.

A. Return it to sender. It's not yours, taking it is theft. 35% (3077 votes)
B. Put it in the (recycling) bin. 9% (774 votes)
C. Open it and read it. 57% (5058 votes)

Voting has now closed, but you can still click 'post reply' to discuss below.

hjb123 · 4 March 2008 at 12:43PM

If I had no forwarding address and knew the person wouldnt be likely to come back I would open it and read it.

Its not like you are opening a gas bill or stealing money out of someones birthday card, its not even that important a thing in life isnt a magazine. If it came again the next issue I would send it back then, but I wouldnt put it in the recycling bin (without having read it first!)

JimmyTheWig · 4 March 2008 at 1:27PM

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.
The order is important. It's much better to reuse something than recycle it. So C is better than B.
A is unlikely to benefit anyone.

nephilim · 4 March 2008 at 2:57PM

i would return it, but if it gets sent again, i would open it

Torry_Quine · 4 March 2008 at 3:47PM

I would return it not least as the person may have paid a subscription. When I moved a few years ago despite having my post forwarded some of it went to my old address and I would have been really angry if the new occupant had kept it. Even junk mail should always be returned if the recipient has moved.

LimeLight · 4 March 2008 at 7:07PM

I've been in my house for nearly a year, and i'm still getting letters for the last tenant.

I usually open them so i can get the phone number of the latest bailiff looking for her and contacting them.

I get stuff for the bloke that was here before her too!

wishiwasarichgirl · 4 March 2008 at 7:28PM

definately read it, then put it in the recycling

If they're dumb enough not to have had their mail redirected or let the magazine people know their new address then that's their own fault

RedLetter · 4 March 2008 at 9:23PM

Stick it back in the post. With gone away on it!

The Posties just love "killing them off" and getting it returned to sender

LOL

skylight · 4 March 2008 at 9:47PM

I have lived here for 11 years - the previous occupants died of old age (before I moved in!) and I occassionally still get post for them.....

The silliest ones were Christmas cards every year with a letter in asking how they were and what not, but no return address! The best I had was 4 years ago a parcel arrived from Mills and Boon with books and wine glasses in it addressed to the lady who had died over 10 years previously. I kept those!

Bonbon · 4 March 2008 at 10:19PM

wishiwasarichgirl wrote: »

definately read it, then put it in the recycling

If they're dumb enough not to have had their mail redirected or let the magazine people know their new address then that's their own fault

totally agree...............

stogiebear · 5 March 2008 at 5:38AM

Open it and read it of course..

I'd be suspicious of anyone who says they wouldn't.

Would you steal someone else’s post? Poll Results/Discussion

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