How and When to Use Return Receipts (RR)

This morning I had an email from a business guy asking about how and when one should use Return Receipts (RR) due one of his associates making this request with every single e-mail that they sent.

Return receipts are a way of knowing that an e-mail has been opened on the recipient's computer. It does not however, mean they have read it.

Do you have someone in your life who has this feature on for every single e-mail? I've found those are the folks that seem to want to know when you receive their e-mail even if the content is not critical or important - sort of a control thing. Or, it could be your friend or associate does not even know they have this option selected. Maybe nicely e-mailing them with a "Did you know.....?" can let them know this is not a feature to be used for every single casual e-mail.

RRs are to be used sparingly. Do not use Return Receipt Request (RR) for each and every personal e-mail you send because you like "knowing" when someone opens the e-mail you sent to them. Not only is this a pain for the recipient, this feature is annoying and intrusive!

How would you like it if every time you heard a voice mail, answering machine message, opened a postal letter from a friend it was immediately reported back to sender that you had heard/opened their communications? RRs should be reserved for those instances where it is critical to knowing the e-mail was received/opened. Such instances would include legal and important business issues.

It is important to know that some e-mail programs allow the recipient to decline the sending of an RR. I know when I receive RR requests; I decline. It is none of anyone's bees wax when I open any particular email. That said, on those extremely rare occasions when it is an important matter and I can understand why there is an RR requested I go ahead and give my approval.

In the past I have used RR for legal issues and important company matters where I want to have some sort of proof or trail to document that an e-mail was sent and subsequently opened. I've never found a reason to use RRs with personal e-mails to friends or family nor have I used them in my daily business e-mail communications.

Now that I think about it -- I don't even remember the last time I initiated a RR request!