Relationship Spam

Regardless of whether you are currently in a relationship or coming out of one, you have the potential to become the victim of what I am referring to as relationship spam. Spam is essentially any unwanted and unsolicited communique.

  For instance, this week, I received an email for my previous significant other wanting to discuss why she felt our relationship fell apart and why she needs more time with our daughter.  She was essentially reopening the metaphoric can of worms. Thus, I have deemed her email "relationship spam." Just when I begin to feel better (i.e., reemerging from my ashes), I receive one of her wonderful 14-page treatises, so for all intents and purposes, it is spam. It is nearly impossible for me to begin to move on with my life when I am constantly receiving communiques from my ex.  We have a child together, so naturally I am going to have to speak with her and do so civilly; however, I do not need or want to speak to her about a relationship that is dead and gone.

Nevertheless, I began to think on this term "relationship spam," and I began to see how it can apply to even those who are in happy and rewarding relationships.  Consider the partners who send emails throughout the day just to say "I love you." These messages, in my opinion, fall under the same "relationship spam" banner. They are cute and endearing the first and maybe even the second time, but eventually your spam filter is going to kick in and the messages are going to be rerouted to the junk mail folder (or you otherwise stop replying).

Spam can occur not only in emails.  If your significant other (or ex) calls frequently, you are getting spammed.  What's worse is if you allow the calls to go to voicemail, you realize you are getting spammed.

So, how do we resolve relationship spam? Depending upon the nature of the relationship (or non-relationship), there are a few different responses.

1. Change your email address and telephone numbers.  This option works only if you are not required to still maintain dialogue with the person, such as if you have children together. This option might also fail if you maintain shared friends.
2. Ignore the messages or set up your mailbox to automatically filter certain messages.  
3. Politely ask the person to stop emailing you so much (the equivalent to replying with "Unsubscribe" in the subject).

I am curious to see what other ways there may be to resolve relationship spam...let me know what you think.