write another letter?

[DE]

I sent a letter to a Filipina a little over a month ago.  I enclosed the letter, pictures and stamps in a Christmas card, which I put in a plain white envelope.  I've not received a response.  Think it's time I send another letter?

[Patrick]

... in response to write another letter?, posted by DE on Jan 12, 2002

I don't know what the typical response rates are like in the Philipines, but I know for Latin women the rate is, on average, only around 20%, or 1 in 5.  If you're picking a single lady to write to each time, you might be in for a real long process to find a compatible lady.  I wrote to 30-40 each time I started the process and narrowed the field down before visiting a few months later.  After 4 "waves" of letters, I found "the one" and married about 2 years after starting the process.  If I had written to only one lady each time, I don't think I ever could have succeeded in finding my wife.

Just something to think about.  I say it in the agency I run (not Asian), but most guys think I'm just trying to sell them more addresses.

[Ray]

... in response to write another letter?, posted by DE on Jan 12, 2002

DE,

The mail is especially slow over there this time of year. I still haven’t received the card my wife mailed 3 weeks before Christmas. Under ‘good’ conditions, it will take anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks to receive a response by snail mail. Be sure to include your e-mail addy in the next letter.

And when you are writing to someone, there is no rule that says you have to wait for a reply before sending off the next letter.

Good luck,

Ray

[DE]

... in response to Re: write another letter?, posted by Ray on Jan 12, 2002

Ray,

How would you suggest forming the second letter when I've not received a reply to the first?  Should I mention that I've sent one letter and am not sure whether she's received it and then briefly introduce myself again and then talk about what's been happening?

Thanks,
DE

[Ray]

... in response to Re: Re: write another letter?, posted by DE on Jan 12, 2002

DE,

That was the first one? Like Patrick pointed out, often you will get no response for one reason or another with addresses from the agencies. But if she is no longer available, there is still a good chance that your letter will be passed along to another lady. If the address is no longer valid, and the letter is returned to you, it wouldn’t be unusual to have it show up 6 months or a year later.

Some of the other guys on here can give you some good advice on how to start a mailing campaign to a number of ladies. If you can get a personal intro from a Filipino family or coworker, all the better.

If you send a follow up now, I would just send a short note asking if the first letter arrived and maybe a very brief intro. And don’t forget that e-mail address!

Ray

[greg]

... in response to Re: Re: write another letter?, posted by DE on Jan 12, 2002

DE, You should know that the Philippine Post Office Employees are Corrupted. They search the snail mail looking for $$$$'s and Valuables. If they open the mail or steal the stamps off the envelope, then it's undeliverable. Yes, that's a good idea to always send a second or third letter just in case. Use security envelope, meter stamp, tape the envelope seal. I usually write the words "letter only" on envelope. A shame, but we gotta be creative when sending letters to the Phillipines to avoid thief. They mostly look for letters from USA, so I usually put words "guess who" in place of my address. Sorry, for this long blabbing. greg