Has email replaced writing letters?

Sometimes. I used to be really big into pen pals from all over the world, then it went to emailing and now its pretty much chatting. When we have less time, we send emails to keep each other updated. I still correspond via the post, but mostly to exchange postcards or little gifts that my friends and I send to each other. I think it has been at least 3 months since I sent out a 'real' letter. It takes at least 2 weeks to get from the USA to anywhere, whereas emails are instant. It's a sad fact, but I think its a dying art. I keep saying I'm going to sit down and write a proper letter, but it never gets done.

Fortunately not all our friends are online. Yes there are a few rebels still resisting the time thief that is the computer. So happily I can write a letter whenever the muse takes me and I wrote two yesterday, just to keep my hand in. lol I do enjoy a proper letter, and I know my friends do too.

You make the right question, I don´t write personal letters for many, many years. The last words I wrote was in a Christmas postcard to some friends/customers. We spend so much time in front of a PC, that email it´s easier and faster.

I still write handwritten letters because I think they're appreciated so much more by the recipient. I also feel that something personal like that is so much better for your own satisfaction. I think the last letter I wrote was about a month ago, but I have a couple that I must write shortly, and will make plenty of time for them. Thank you for this discussion. I had to type my reply, but there ya go. You can't win them all!!! lol.

I love both writing and receiving print letters in the mail. But in spite of that, email has all but completely replaced the art of paper letter writing for me. Even though I love holding a letter in my hand and seeing the familiar handwriting of the writer as I read it, and on the flip side hearing my own pen scrawl across paper as I compose a letter, I've still given in to emailing instead of letter writing on all but rare and special occasions. The reason why - nothing more than laziness! Even if I do get around to writing a paper letter, it will sit on my table for several days before I got the extra step to get and address and envelope, find a stamp, and mail it. I rarely have these supplies on hand because I do almost all my bill baying online as well. With an email, I just write, hit send, and I'm done. I don't stumble across the email a week after I've written it, sitting there waiting for me to get my act together and ship it off. I worry that letter writing will become a lost art. I try to keep notes and letters to myself in a paper journal, at least, and enjoy that. When you write to yourself you don't have to mail anything!

I last wrote a letter a few months ago. Some friends and I have had this very discussion, and try to write letters to each other whenever possible simply because it has become something of a lost art. E-mails and text messages are faster, but they are deleted as soon as they're read. We risk becoming the first generation in history that will leave no written personal record, and I think that's a shame.

Sure has. I don't think I've gotten a real letter since I was in grade school.

Yes, e-mail, mobiles & chatting have really replaced writing letters. Now a day people do not find time to write letters. Before 5 years or so I used to write 2 letters in a week. But now hardly write 1 ot 2 letter in a year.

I do but in a good way. I remember as a kid writing letters back and forth with my Grandma. I loved getting her letters. I still would like to see some letters in the mailbox. My mother still writes letters (she just got a computer hooked up to the internet in her house but will only use it when one of us kids is there with her to check her emails). I received a letter from my mother today responding to a poem I wrote about her and sent to her via mail. I would have liked to have emailed it to her but didn't know WHEN she would see it. However, with the internet I think people stay in touch a lot more. They can email each other every day. Not to mention the fact that it pretty well costs nothing. This was the first year I did not send Christmas cards because postage was just too darned expensive. I rarely IM. I join a chat on a writing board every Saturday night and sometimes I just get lost with so many people "talking" at the same time about different things. I prefer message boards and email. But who doesn't like to get mail that isn't bills or flyers?

I guess it is on case to case basis. Well if the person you wanted to write to is on the other part of the world, then e-mailing them is better. Less expenses, faster, no hassle. But if you are courting someone, or as a girl, I prefer to get love letters personally handwritten and placed in a very nice stationery.

Oh, I hope not. I am a huge fan of the written word ... especially letters, thank you notes, etc. For Christmas I gave each of my adult daughters a beautiful "writing basket" filled with stationery, note cards, thank you's, stamps, pens, misc. cards, and a book I found that helps you know just the right thing to say for different occasions. They were both thrilled. I think it's almost a lost art, and it's definitely something that the younger generation doesn't feel as passionate about. I remember when I was young I used to love to write a letter and use sealing wax on the back of it and metal stamp with my initial in calligraphy. I used to get these at the Hallmark store. You can't even find them there any more. What a shame.

I haven't written a letter in 3 or 4 years now. I think it'd be really nice to have a hand written letter come to me, at least it'd feel more personal then!

It seems emails and myspace messages have replace the handwritten letters. I notice it myself. What sucks about it with a myspace, though is you can delete your account and forget about those letters you typed up to your friends or boyfriends. With handwritten letters, you can have a memorable shoebox of letters you can open up any time. It's definitely more personal when it's handwritten.

I too can not remember, my penmanship is horrid because my hand tries to keep up with my mind. Type fast, people can read it, and everyone I know even my parents have e-mail. Ummm I wonder if my handwriting will improve as my mind slows down?

I don't think so. Though everyone now a days prefer E-mails,but the feelings,emotions and the message through the letters have their own unique Impression

I think writing email have replace letters,but i still prefer to send greeting in post which wud surprise them then just sending them an e card. Every thing has it own importance.

ya its true that today we have litrally stopped writing letters.we just are hooked to email and net.this is a global phenomenon not restricted to any country or region but has a worldwide effect. before judging any change as positive or negative lets see its causes . this is so popular becoz writing emails is far more easier faster and better means of communication.plus the upcoming of chatting has popularised this then even more. this phenomenon has both its merits and demerits. merit is that communication has become faster and easier. but the demerits accompanying it are more. one loses the essence of his/her particular language. the language degrades a lot. plus our personal touch is not there. i would therefore request people to get back to their trditional way of writing!!!

I wrote a snail mail letter to my Grandparents a couple months ago.. Besides that I havent in years, I love e-mail, Its so fast and simple!!

The world of business now, almost all the non verbal communications has been using email, or printed letters. In my working enviroment, I don't see anyone use written letters as the means of correspondence. However, on personal communication, some older, middle aged people prefer the hand written ones.

Aside from the few thank you notes that I write during the year, I havent written a letter for ages. I find it way easier to send an email! Guess its the technology for me from now on