PenPals: A Forgotten Delight

Feeling down and alone? Is your social life lacking? Do you wish you had someone to talk to? Or maybe you want to learn about other cultures?

Email penpals or even snail mail penpals are out there. You just need to know where to look. After some research I found this website:

http://penpalsnow.com/

Someone in need of a penpal can sign up for free and post an ad about who they are looking to share ideas with. And people browsing ads can email or snail mail someone they feel they can connect with.

Yes! The want and need to write and email complete strangers still exist. It isn't an elementary school experience anymore. The above listed website lets you search for males or females within an age group and country of your choosing.

I had an ad up for three days, and I have already been emailed by about 17 people from all over the world looking for a new friend.

Here are some helpful links for people new to penpaling:

http://www.ehow.com/how_13423_write-first-letter.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_13424_practice-proper-pen.html

Please remember these tips:

1. Writing one or two line emails or letters are not going to help people get to know you.

2. End each email or letter with a question so your penpal has a good topic to write to you about.

3. If you don't feel comfortable talking to a specific person it is okay to say no and cut off contact.

Warning: Unfortunately if you post an ad people looking to scam you might contact you. It is safer if you use a Post Office Box mailing address instead of your home address, and maybe create a new email address so if you get spammed it will not affect your personal email account. Don't give details when writing back and forth that would provide someone with enough information to come look for you in real life. Do not accept marriage proposals or money.

Penpaling is fun. Please be safe.

Thanks so much for reading.

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