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They're, if I recall correctly, a $X0 million [edit to add: crikey, checked stats: $500 million a year at the telephone company alone] a year business in Japan.
by patio11 13y ago
They're, if I recall correctly, a $X0 million [edit to add: crikey, checked stats: $500 million a year at the telephone company alone] a year business in Japan. The overwhelmingly most common use is sending a message similar to "We regret that we were unable to attend your wedding. Best wishes to the bride and groom on their unending journey together." That will run you about $20. For an extra $30, you can send the telegram with (e.g.) two dolls of Micky and Minnie Mouse dressed in bridal attire holding a scroll case for the telegram, so that it can be held on the gift table until the bride and groom have the opportunity to read it.
Of course it's inefficient. That's precisely the point.
- henrikschroder 13y agoSame in Sweden, it's only really used for sending wedding greetings. The reason is that telegrams are seen as the most formal mode of communication, because once upon a time it was faster delivered and more expensive than a hand-written letter. Although there now exists many modes of communications that are way, way, faster, it retains the traditional formality, and is therefore used in traditionally formal settings, such as weddings.
- dsego 13y agoIn Croatia it's still customary to send condolence telegrams.
- VLM 13y ago"Of course it's inefficient. That's precisely the point." Sounds like that tech will be replaced by word processing a note using 50 different fonts and colors, printing it out, and then scanning/faxing it.