Communicating with an ex- best practices?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately, not writing back at all is not an option in this situation because the ex enclosed a sentimental item that they asked to be returned.

Nonsense. You are under no obligation to return an item you never requested.

Donate, or Trash.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When writing to an ex who has written an unsolicited letter, which of the following is the better way to respond:
“We can never communicate again because I am married now.” Or,
“Please don’t communicate with me again. I am now married.”

Or something else?

Unfortunately, not writing back at all is not an option in this situation because the ex enclosed a sentimental item that they asked to be returned.

bs you can NOT write back. Just because they tried to manipulate you saying to mail what they sent back. Don't play games with people like this. No response.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When writing to an ex who has written an unsolicited letter, which of the following is the better way to respond:
“We can never communicate again because I am married now.” Or,
“Please don’t communicate with me again. I am now married.”

Or something else?

Unfortunately, not writing back at all is not an option in this situation because the ex enclosed a sentimental item that they asked to be returned.

bs you can NOT write back. Just because they tried to manipulate you saying to mail what they sent back. Don't play games with people like this. No response.

+1. I’m strongly in the “it’s ok to contact an ex if you want to” camp, but only if you make it clear that they should not feel any pressure to respond if that doesn’t appeal to them for whatever reason. Or, if you are desperate to hear back from them for some reason, be forthright about that and explain why. The approach OP encountered is manipulative and uncool, and I wouldn’t dignify it with a substantive response. Maybe keep the item, maybe send it back, depending. I’d probably send it back with a short note saying “I’m returning this and am in a place in my life where it is better for us not to catch up.”