When to User RR (Return Receipt)

This morning I had an e-mail 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 the opened e-mail has been read.. 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 - sorta 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.....?" letting them know this is not a feature to be used for every single casual e-mail can help to inform them.

The recipient should have the privacy to determine when/if they want to read an e-mail and reply to it. 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, for the majority, I immediately decline. None of anyone's bee's wax when I opened any particular e-mail. That said, when it is an important matter and I can understand why there is an RR requested I go ahead and give my approval.

I use 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. To send an RR request for every day-to-day e-mail, especially personal e-mail, is simply not necessary.