Just for our younger readers it might be useful to point out that a telegram is a message sent electronically, which is then printed out onto paper and delivered the last mile by hand like a letter.

Obviously this overlaps with the fax, which is far from being a dead format.

One major advantage, when printed out on the old post office watermarked paper you have a legally binding (can be used as evidence) document in your possession. It is an effective way of serving written notice in accordance with many old legal requirements, which is probably why debt collection agents prefer this method.

What I want to know is do you still get a guy in a blue peaked cap come running up shouting “Important telegram mister! It’s from your office Sir!” Because that is so much cooler than just having your crappy mobile phone ringing.

They were also great for geeting messages to patients, who had no phone or electronic prowess. When I was a practicing physician, I can think off two times a telegram helped save a patient’s life.

Without them I called the police to deliver urgent messages, and they did. THANK GOD.

Those were the good old days.

Me I funk, but I don’t care. I ain’t no square with my corkscrew hair!

(I sincerely hope this is what Mike was going for..)

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That would so suck. Cuz then you wouldn’t know if it was legit or spam. At least with email and caller id for the phone you can see some info about a call/email before opening. it. With telegram spam you literally don’t know what it is til you get it in your hand. And to make matters worse as the delivery guy/girl imagine going all the way out to deliver something just to find out you are carrying spam.

…you’re my main man.

(Oh, come on, I can’t be the *first* person to think of that…)