I thought I was an Old

[redbird]

In an online discussion of someone who wasn't sure about going to their father's upcoming birthday party, one commenter suggested sending a "happy birthday" telegram to the party, to be read aloud. Another person asked whether that was still done, meaning the "reading it aloud" part.

No, it's not, at least not in the United States; Western Union got out of the telegraph business in 2006.

Comments

[adrian_turtle]

Have you ever been at a party where such a thing was done? I received them in 1981 and 1992, and had to explain (or have explained to me) the peculiar customs of New Yorkers, theater people, and those involved in politics. By the mid-1990s, I think I might have seen a telegram at a party. Only once, though. And with a footnote, explaining what a telegram was. Or maybe it was a written card or printout of email, and somebody talking about how in olden days people sent telegrams.

Something I've seen is a collection of messages from people who are there in spirit. Cards, email printouts, etc. Solicit them, print them out, stick them to a bulletin board. Obviously this can't be arranged by somebody who isn't there. In many cases it can't be arranged even by somebody who IS there. And there are families or social groups for whom it would be uncomfortable. But I've seen it work well.

[redbird]

No, I'd only heard about it in books. I don't think I've ever received a telegram, or been home/present when someone received one.

[erik]

When I was a youth in community theatre (in the mid 80s) we did once receive a telegram to the theatre on opening night. It was cool.

[ironed_orchid]

I've seen it done at weddings in the early 2000s, but even then people were switching from telegrams to emailing the groomsmen or bridesmaids (I worked in a function centre where we did approximately 50 weddings per year).

[oursin]

I think, in lieu of telegram, we sent email with congratulatory message to partner's nephew's wedding, to be read out. (They are in Australia. We are in London.)