How to Stop Joke Emails

Email is a prime communications tool at work and among family and friends. It is also a conduit for many people sharing jokes and inspirational messages. While everyone enjoys a good joke now and then, constant streams of joke email annoy some people. Honesty is the best policy when trying to stop joke emails from cluttering your inbox.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-spam and anti-virus filter

Instructions

1. Look at your own practices. If you send joke emails to friends, family and co-workers, they feel it's okay to send them back to you.

2. Set your anti-spam and virus filters as high as they can go. This puts joke email into the junk or spam box based on key words. At the very least, your inbox doesn't fill up.

3. Request nicely that the worst offenders stop sending you jokes. With a co-worker, do this in person. Simply say your regular email is out of control and the joke messages make it difficult for you to stay on top of things.

4. Create a general message for those who send you joke emails. Convey that you're not a forwarder of jokes or inspirational messages and that you don't click on attachments in order to protect your computer.

5. Refrain from replying. Some people who send joke emails will get the message after a while, but don't be disappointed if they don't. Many joke email addicts created an actual address book group for this specific purpose.

6. Ask your workplace IT administrator for a policy to stop joke emails and that he distribute to everyone. Most IT professionals dislike joke email because it clogs up the servers and sometimes contains viruses.

Tips & Warnings

• General email etiquette is a struggle for many. Reply with an etiquette message. Some people simply don't know there's a right way to act on email.

• Check your spam and blocked messages inbox when filters are set high to stop joke email. There may be something in there you really need.

Resources

• The Company V website features email etiquette and instructions for stopping spam and other mass emails.