A Letter To Those Who Would Write To Me
About once a week, I get an email from someone, saying, “You don’t know me, but I’m in this situation with my partner, and I don’t mean to bother you, but I wanted to ask for your advice.”
I just want to be clear: that is totally cool. Do not hesitate to contact me.
I would not write all these insights I have on having mostly drama-free relationships if I didn’t intend it to help. I’m not saying I’m an infallible guru on such matters – I’m not necessarily correct, and often I have a very narrow window into your world – but if I can be of service, I am happy to. It’s not an insult, it’s not a waste of my time, I’m happy to do what I can for you.
Now, my timeliness on this may be in doubt – I’m busy, sometimes you get spam-trapped, sometimes it takes a day or two – but if you don’t hear from me, follow up. You’re not an inconvenience. I am deeply committed to helping people be happy as best I can, and if I fail, it’s not you, it’s me. Yell at me. I’ll come around.
The only non-cool thing? I usually know who you are. If you’ve commented in here a few times, I generally have some bead on you. Don’t think you’re that forgettable, okay? Though telling me where I know you from will help, because I have no idea that Danielle Dericky Deschamps is actually LJ User=CharityWhore.
(However, I usually don’t spread links asking for monetary assistance unless I know the people in question. No offense, but if I’m asking people to donate money to a cause, that’s partially me vouching for them – so I have to believe personally. That’s a tricky thing, since I don’t like to spam. If I point folks at someone, I want it to be super-effective.)