Email read receipts.
Eminently practical.
Supremely irritating.
I occasionally use read receipts.
It’s an incredibly simple way to make certain that your email has reached it’s intended recipient.
If they allow the receipt to be returned, that is.
If not, you’re still in limbo.
I know the value.
Why do I feel as if people are insulting my manners, disparaging my character, when they request a read receipt from me?
Why do I feel hurt that they have no faith in my innate consideration of others, to promptly reply?
Even though we both no there is a very good chance that I won’t?
Why do I always hesitate before answering yes (or no, shame on me) to the ‘Allow read receipt’ question?
Read receipts do serve an excellent purpose; perfect for things like blog events, when the sender just needs to know that the email was delivered but doesn’t require a response.
So, why am I equally irritated when I get a request for one….
And the one I requested isn’t returned?
You say I can’t have it both ways? Why not?
I’m trying to find some balance.
I had the same problem when Caller ID was first introduced. I wanted to know who was calling me but I didn’t want to identify myself to the people I was calling.
Now, when I’m in the US, it’s even more irritating. People I call won’t answer the phone because they don’t recognize the ID, or they have unfamiliar ID’s blocked.
At least, that’s what I think is happening…..
So, if you haven’t heard from me in awhile, I place the blame squarely between read receipts and caller ID.
That’s my story and I sticking to it!
How do you all feel about email read receipts? Both the requesting and the responding?
More importantly, how do you feel about stuffing vegetables?
I could hardly let the prolific green devils slide into winter oblivion without stuffing them now, could I?
I know I said no more zucchini recipes, but this isn’t a zucchini recipe.
It’s a pasta recipe!
Don’t you know anything?
I can’t submit a zucchini recipe to Presto Pasta Nights!
Ruth, the founder and author of Once Upon a Feast would not be happy with me if I tried that!
Psychgrad, of Equal Opportunity Kitchen is the host this week. Be sure to visit her blog on Friday for all the wonderful pastas!
Zucchini (Courgette) Stuffed with Orzo and Feta, serves 2
2 zucchini or summer squash (courgette), 9″ each (22cm)
6oz (180gr) ground beef, turkey, sausage,
15oz (450gr) chopped tomatoes
1 onion
2 cloves garlic
1 tbs olive oil
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
1/3 cup orzo
1/4 cup beef stock
1/4 cup red wine
3oz (90gr) feta
1.5oz (45gr) Greek or other olives
Cut the stem and root end off of the zucchini, then slice in half the long way. With a spoon scrape out the seeds and flesh from the center forming long boat-like shells. Leave 1/4″ (.6cm) at either end to hold in the filling. Put them in a baking dish, single layer, cover with foil and bake, 400F (200C), for 15 minutes. Remove and keep covered until ready to fill.
While zucchini bakes: Chop onion. Mince garlic. Heat olive oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chili powder and sauté briefly. Add onion and garlic, sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add ground meat to skillet and cook, breaking it up as it browns. Add tomatoes, herbs, stock, wine and pasta, stir well, reduce heat to medium and simmer 10 – 15 minutes, until pasta is done. Stir often or pasta will stick. You may need to add more liquid if sauce starts getting too thick before pasta is done. Add water, 1 tbs at a time.
Cut feta into small cubes or crumble. Slice olives in half. When the pasta is done and sauce is thick stir in the feta and olives. Spoon filling into the zucchini. Any filling that doesn’t fit, just keep warm and serve on the side. Cover zucchini with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 minutes longer.
I’m sending her this with a read receipt request (she chuckles, wickedly)
Katie are you flip flopping here on us ;0)
As far as I’m concerned you can have it anyway you like it with these stuffed zucchini as long as I’m invited to the table!
There was a time when you could track receipts painlessly through Outlook. Don’t know if that feature is still available, but Yahoo (my current account) doesn’t offer it. I did find it useful for strictly business transactions. Even so, just b/c a recipient clicks open a message doesn’t mean that they have actually read it; you just know that they got it.
Delicious zucchini boats, the best of the Mediterranean.
Delicious. I have bookmarked to make them.
I didn’t know you could refuse a read receipt! I guess I never got one as I’ve never been given the option of refusing. I learn so much from you, Katie!
I know what you’re saying about read receipts. Sometimes I just cancel out of them – not sure what happens when I do that. But, it’s my way of protesting. At the same time, a lot of people are pretty dismal with responding to an email, so it sends the message that they should pay attention.
I feel very positively about stuffed zucchini. If read receipts were on one end of a continuum, stuffed zucchini would be on the other. I don’t know what the continuum would be called – maybe “things I like”.
Thanks for participating in the week’s Presto Pasta Nights!
Tanna, Just expressing a bit of frustration… all better now. We’ll be eating at 10:00… We’ll wait for you!
Susan, there is that… one could click and delete. I use Outlook and it can only track if they’re returned…hahaha!
Happy Cook, I hope you like them – and thank you!
Psychgrad, I really think I’ll stick to food and back off the computers for awhile… Preserve my sanity!
Zoomie, yes you can – kind of defeats it all, doesn’t it?
Those zucchinis look amazing Katie! 🙂
Read receipts…I feel just the way you do. 😉
Brilliant. I still have summer squash and zucchinis in the fridge and I am a bit burnt out from then. I would like to try cooking them this way, so I can enjoy them again.
Great recipe for using the giant zucchini a friend left on my porch this morning!
all i can say is WOW!!! This site is awsome.
I don’t mind the occasional read receipt for things that are really important … what bugs me are the people ALWAYS ask for a read receipt and are only sending jokes. Who cares? I usually don’t send back but it doesn’t matter anyway … the jokes continue coming with read receipts!
Meanwhile, I am really sorry my 2 zuccini plants didn’t survive the jungle summer … I’m going to have to see if they have any in the market in town to try this dish!
JennDZ, meaning- love AND hate them?
Lannae, hope you like it ;-))
Lydia, oh-oh, the neighbors have hit again, eh?
Thanks. Dr. Doc
Anne, that woyuld really drive me nuts… jokes with read receipts????
I hate read receipt…don’t use them, don’t like when others do. Okay, enough negativity on my part…I just got back from a great yoga class, all calm and peaceful. Deep breath…
Katie, so glad you sneaked a zucchini in with your pasta this week. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Nights.
Katie,
What a great idea!! Just the other day I was thinking what to put inside zucchini… now I know 🙂
Have a wonderful weekend, Margot
Ruth, I feel that way… until I need them.
Margot, and orzo is small enough to fit well!
I don’t mind a read receipt when it’s for something businesss related and you have to prove it got through on a certain day. But for jokes?!?!
Love the zucchini – I’m fully in favour of stuffing vegetables.
I found your blog while googling “read receipt manners.”
I hate them and wanted to share a link to an authoritative source that says–use them sparingly. Found something on netmanners.com
However, this zucchini looks marvelous!!!!!!!