To think that in 2020 round Robin letters are especially pointless.

[Whalewithnosnail]

I hate these letters even in normal years (always love the Janet and Roy threads). A pointless opportunity to gloat about things no one cares about. This year's have been particularly dry- "we couldn't holiday in Italy this year, but Mavis learned to knit' and "we have had to keep up with the grandchildren by zoom". Yeah we all have- we know.

This morning we received one from two people I previously thought relatively normal, except this letter was from their dog. It was two sides of A4 with an in depth discussion of what they had grown in the garden (378 potatos, 4 varieties of lettuce, heritage carrots etc etc), an entire paragraph about a squirrel visitor to the garden and, mostly bizarrely, a paragraph about each member of the family from the cat's perspective. For example, "my big brother got married this year, everyone had to wear a mask and I wonder if these are uncomfortable because I could see tears in their eyes".

WTF?!?! So AIBU (or a total scrooge) to think that in a global pandemic you can spare us all a detailed account of your year?

Anyone else get any good ones?

I thought that until this year when I think it’s really nice to hear from people when we haven’t been able to see many. I don’t think people are boasting, I just think they are sharing news and who’s going to write a load of negative stuff. I did one this year for the first time this year and kept it up beat.

Nope totally disagree. Find I approach the ones I receive with joy and glee and a feeling of guilt I've not done one. They are people I care about.

I got one in which the DIL has disappeared totally. The formerly thought-to-be-a-loser SIL seems to have got a promotion both in his job and in his status. Bigger photo of him and the DD with their kids, smaller one of just the DS and his kids. No mention of previously very popular DIL anywhere in the RR. Where is she?????

I've never done round robins - I'll probably send a few emails tomorrow as we CBA to do cards this year. News... well, we found a few local walks we'd never discovered in the 25 years we've lived here and um, .... no, that's about it.

I wouldn't mind getting a bonkers one 'from the dog', but I'd never have the chutzpah to write one myself get my dog to write one.

I personally love a round robin, it's so interesting to hear about what people I care about are up to, and very occasionally to have a giggle at some of the more obvious brags. Never written one though, because I worry that my life isn't so interesting, or that my friends might secretly be as judgy as you lot...

We got one from the usual culprits going into great detail about their holiday that was cancelled.

I like the two we had but they hit just the right note.

I love a round Robin! I only got 2 this year and I loved them both. It's nice to feel a bit connected in a year that's been about being apart.

I have no opinions about round robins but this really made me lol

@todgerstrunk that would drive me mad! Divorce maybe?!

@overtherubicon you are right I am judgy. I guess I do like receiving them but only so I can judge. The dog one is my favourite so far. And the picture of the dog was bigger than any of their "other children"

Apparently my SIL does one, but we're never been sent a copy. Not sure why but suspect it mentions us in unflattering terms but anyway she and BIL are mid forties, I didn't think this was a thing done by anyone under 70. Does anyone else get one from people in their 40s?

We’ve had two from siblings, one starts ‘no point listing all the stuff we’ve done to fill the time this year as you’ve all done it too’, the other does exactly that

Whalewithnosnail Definitely some gossip there but some people like to keep these things private. I just would have hoped after nearly 20 years together she might have got a farewell mention, they used to think she was brilliant.

In defence of writing from the dog, most of us have got excited by the same things the dog would get excited about - a daily walk, a drive in the car, being in the park (even in the rain) with friends 🤷‍♀️

Before lockdown we visited a care home with the dog and throughout lockdown I’ve sent cards to the residents from the dog. But to be fair, the residents aren’t interested in what I’ve got up to, they were always interested in the dog.

They seem largely pointless anyway as most people are on SM and update their status with every tiny detail of their life.

Maybe I'll send one from my turtle next year.

This morning we received one from two people I previously thought relatively normal, except this letter was from their dog. It was two sides of A4 with an in depth discussion of what they had grown in the garden (378 potatos, 4 varieties of lettuce, heritage carrots etc etc), an entire paragraph about a squirrel visitor to the garden and, mostly bizarrely, a paragraph about each member of the family from the cat's perspective. For example, "my big brother got married this year, everyone had to wear a mask and I wonder if these are uncomfortable because I could see tears in their eyes"

Awwww - they were trying to be creative and amusing! I think I would have liked that round robin.

I've never done one. I have one friend who still insists on doing it. The card is a picture of her and their now adult children and the letter a massive brag about their lives, even in covid times she has managed it.
I don't see the point.

@FreeFallingFree

Apparently my SIL does one, but we're never been sent a copy. Not sure why but suspect it mentions us in unflattering terms but anyway she and BIL are mid forties, I didn't think this was a thing done by anyone under 70. Does anyone else get one from people in their 40s?

Yep I am in my 40’s and did one this year. Just to keep in touch really. I don’t post on SM and neither do most of my friends so I am pleased to get one and hope they are received in the same generous spirit. Mind you I did think carefully about who to send them too - only people who are genuinely appreciative of news, not judgy pants

I think if this year has taught me anything it’s to be nice and give people a break. Most people mean things nicely and things should be received in that spirit.

I love them. I send one each year though I realise I mostly write them as a record for myself. Looking back over the last 19 years (we started when our first DD was born) is a lovely record of moments in our life. I send less now for the ones who say things like you OP...

I think they’re lovely - wish I got some! Even if a bit cringey I like hearing news from people I know.

I actually think it sounds fun and better than social media.

My mum used to get one from a friend of hers every year when I was a child. Her husband who was a bit pompous wrote the letter and my mum used to laugh like crazy when she read it. Anyway they weren't bad people. I feel nostalgic thinking about it.

I think they’re lovely. I feel so lonely at the moment and really cherish every Christmas card and message.

I love reading them! I even love reading ones from people I haven't met! I know it's sad but it is a certain type of of person who writes them and they are always a bit braggy and I just lap it up!
Can't wait for my mum to give me the ones she had received this year to have a ganders! I hope people keep sending them!

I have never received one in my entire life! I didn't think they were a thing anymore really, because it's quite easy to stay in touch with people who you want to stay in touch with and nobody else is likely to be overly interested, unless they have a lot of time on their hands. I don't think I'd mind getting one, but it would depend who it was from, and I just can't see any of my friends ever doing one.