Pelican version brag letters

[Por_sha911]

You know what I'm talking about. The letter you get every year around this time saying "Greetings and happy holidays from the ___ family. Here's all the award Junior won this year, all the places we visited, things we've done..."
Seems to me that we have some people who constantly post pictures of themselves, info about things they do, or how they spent their holiday. I guess it helps them to feel better about who they are if they can impress someone. Sort of like the guy at the office (everyone knows that guy who is always telling you how much he spent on (whatever).

Just a general observations with no particular person in mind.

[M.D. Holloway]

Joe, we get these as well but have never sent any out (surprising because I'm always bragging about the kiddos).

I did have the idea of doing one in a newspaper type format with the good, bad and ugly...I still may do that...

The thing is, no one really cares (save grandparents) about all the great things the kids have done or the interesting places you've gone or what have you.

While I can understand the need to share experiences as well as the burning desire to think that the rest of the worl cares if your kid got honor roll or scored 4 three pointers the fact of the matter is that no one reslly cares.

[masraum]

Weird, I've never seen one or heard about them. I'll consider myself lucky.

[fintstone]

I get these every year. I guess if the writer lives in Beverly Hills and just got a 6-figure raise and his kid pitched a no-hitter and hit 4 home runs last week...and his wife, the super model had a new gig shooting Sports Illustraed in Costa Rica...

It might annoy the recently laid-off fellow whose wife just left him and has a leaking roof in his mobile home in rural North Dakota. Just thinkin...

[Por_sha911]

Ever notice that some posts in PPOT that follow the same format?:
-Here's what I did last night for ___ holiday / vacation
-here's pictures of stuff I own
-here's a pic of me posing with ___

Sure there are times to share a pic of a new car, gun (um I mean spoon ), or a great deal scored at the flea market but some folks (no one in particular) are always posting about themselves. It seems like they feel that they have to brag about what they have, where they've been, or who they know, in order to feel good about themselves. It strikes me as the difference between being entertained versus having peace. I worry that they would not enjoy life without the stuff.

[mikesride]

well, I for one enjoy the posts of "what I did last night....or on vacation" Its a cool way to see what others are doing and what I might be missing out on. Plus if somebody is posting here about something new to them, of interest to the rest of us.....lets say a cool car of some type, don't we all enjoy that? I do!
I miss the old "heres what happened this year" letters folks used to send out....I guess I am able to find happiness when those around me wish to express their own...

[Lapkritis]

I would call that type of behavior "facebooking." Some people like reassurance from others that they are living an enviable life and so fish for compliments. On the other hand, this is primarily a Porsche forum where we all share a similar passion and those related visual aids help.

[HardDrive]

???

This is a forum for people that love German sports cars. If you want sunshine blown up your backside, go elsewhere. Now if you excuse me, I'm going for a walk with my brilliant child and my beautiful anesthesiologist wife

[Don Ro]

My sister and sister-in-law used to send those out every Christmas.
I'd get to the 2nd or 3rd paragraph and just toss them...who cared?

[widgeon13]

I hate them but when I was growing up my father was in the military and they were quite common, especially when you moved every couple of years. They were a nice way to stay in touch with everyone.

Today, it's just bragging about how much you have.

[legion]

We send out a cute picture every year. Last year had my son staring down Santa. This year had him making cookies.

Of the 100 or so Christmas cards we get every year, we get 5 or so brag letters. One is from a distant cousin involved in politics, another is from my vegan aunt who works for NASA (in HR) and spends all of her free time on Ancestry.com.

I let my wife read them and report on the 2-3 mildly interesting things (total) that the 5 letters contain.

[Tishabet]

I don't send these (send a holiday card with a few pictures but no letter) though I do get a few each year. Typically these are from people I don't stay in touch with otherwise e.g. former neighbors. I don't really get the bragging vibe for the most part, it's typically the wrap up/update from the last year... Junior graduated from college, we took our annual trip to Maine, great grandma is in failing health, mom has a new job etc.

Assuming these are people I like and care about, it's good to hear that they are successful and enjoying life.

[yetibone]

Yeah, I don't do that, 'cause it'd make you guys SOOOO jealous.

[Por_sha911]

Originally Posted by mikesride

I guess I am able to find happiness when those around me wish to express their own...

Don't get me wrong. This isn't envy. I'm happy for others that have good things happen. That's why I said there are times... Its just that some people do it all the time and that seems like an indicator of where they are at.

[mikesride]

Originally Posted by Por_sha911

Don't get me wrong. This isn't envy. I'm happy for others that have good things happen. That's why I said there are times... Its just that some people do it all the time and that seems like an indicator of where they are at.

Yeah, wasn't intended to imply envy. I guess the letters like this I get are more updates than "bragging". But even then....there is a member here whom recently bought a Ferrari!!!! WOW!!! could sound like bragging if taken in the wrong context.....but me I am more like "wow!!! Blown away and please post pics" I don't feel most guys on this site are bragging things up too bad. Just sharing life experiences with a group of like minded individuals.
Now if I got a braggish type of letter from some pompous wanna be Mr. Moneybags relative every Christmas then yes I guess I would feel some of what you are talking about.

[Evans, Marv]

My non favorites are from people I don't see for a long time and are mostly only acquainted with, that are filled with news about relatives I have no idea whom they are.

[VaSteve]

Originally Posted by Tishabet

I don't send these (send a holiday card with a few pictures but no letter) though I do get a few each year. Typically these are from people I don't stay in touch with otherwise e.g. former neighbors. I don't really get the bragging vibe for the most part, it's typically the wrap up/update from the last year... Junior graduated from college, we took our annual trip to Maine, great grandma is in failing health, mom has a new job etc.

Assuming these are people I like and care about, it's good to hear that they are successful and enjoying life.

This. I haven't been n Facebook until this week... So in many ways this was the only update I got from folks, family, etc. I have seen the year end letter dying off a bit with people keeping up to date with Facebook itself.


But seriously, if it bothers you that much maybe you're wrapped a little tight? People don't usually write about hardships and struggles....so do. I have a cousin that writes from the perspective of a squirrel or something weird. I get a lot of junk mail, this is hardly bothersome.

[Rick Lee]

My folks used to get them all the time and we always compared them for their cheesiness and usually poor spelling and grammar. I find them pretty insulting. Fortunately, I'm at the age where all my friends just send us a photo card of their young kid(s).

[nostatic]

I think you guys are missing the point - the OP is complaining about the equivalent threads on PPOT, not the actual holiday letters themselves.

I for one am shocked - shocked that anyone on this board would post something about themselves, their family, or their stuff.

[Gogar]

+1 I got 5 or 6 Christmas cards from friends,

EVERY CARD was filled with pictures of kids and dogs. Not an adult to be found in any picture.

I thought it was kind of weird, honestly.

Next year I'm going to just send everyone a blank card, since I don't have any kids or dogs.