One more thing to add to my hate list: Reader's Digest that is. I used to love this magazine long time ago but now the mere mention of it is enough to give me fits :(How the love affair started...
When I was young, my English teachers used to encourage us to read Reader's Digest. "If you want to improve your English vocabularies and grammar; you got read Reader's Digest!" they hollered.
Mind you, 25 years ago my parents could not even afford basic necessities let alone subscribing to a magazine. The cost of one magazine was enough to provide meals for my family for a couple of days. Back in those days, only the rich kids were privileged enough to own the magazine and they would bring it to school to show off to other classmates. Because those snobby, selfish and spoilt rich brats would not want to share the magazine with poor paupers like me, I had to go to the public library and read the back issues of Reader's Digest and other books like Britannica Encyclopaedia etcetera.
When a relative of mine wanted to get rid a pile of old Reader's Digest, I was overjoyed and seized the opportunity to keep them. I would devoured the magazines over and over again and took great care to ensure they stay in mint condition.
There were several reasons why I liked Reader's Digest so much. For a start, the magazine comes in the right size, easy to carry and light weight. Secondly, they are very informative. Thirdly, the articles are written in fine grammar yet easy to comprehend. Fourthly, the articles were not long winded and concise. Fifthly, the magazine always carried positive and uplifting stories that inspired others.
This is how I had grown to love Reader's Digest so much over the years...
Fast forward 25 years later, how the love affair ended...
Lately, my love and respect for Reader's Digest began to wane. It all started when I started getting junk mails from them. As I never subscribed to Reader's Digest all these while, I was surprised to receive mails from them. Just how the hell they got my address and personal details, I would not know.
Every so often, I would receive a letter in the mailbox, all nicely decorated, with inky stamps all over it, saying "Important Documents inside!". When opened, it would displayed the words like: "New Zealand Post have been alerted that the documents are on their way for you, and have cleared the way for this to be processed as quickly as possible."
Then a few days later, I would receive a letter that contains most if not all of the following articles:-
- a glossy envelope stamped with bold and loud words like "Confidential Letter" and "To be opened by the addressee only."
- a nice long winded letter from the chairman of the "Sweepstakes Committee" and decorated a lovely gold stamp, stating that I am a privileged customer (Yeah right, I am not even their customers!)
- an official looking document with computer generated pen lines to circle things, stickers, lucky draw card and various other ridiculous conventions usually accompanied by another seal, and signed by "some unknown" from the "Selection Department"
- a whole page of tiny fine print, as well as a large heading, telling me I have won a whole load of money ($450,000 grand prize or something like that)
- a rather odd piece of cardboard or paper, with a cut-out card ribbon or something similar, saying "affix your gold seal (or sticker) here!"
- some fake prize vouchers, signed by Chief Financial Officer
- a pamphlet contains the latest book offer
- a YES envelope
- a NO envelope
When I saw this, I was utterly pissed off. What the hell does Reader's Digest New Zealand think I am? A waste paper bin??? So much so I wrote a nasty letter and sent back all the contents back to them. I would not go into the details what I had written but in summary I expressed my total disappointment with them as well as called them a misleading and fraudulent company who resort to cheap marketing tactics to lure unsuspecting customers.
And guess what? I have not heard back from them ever since... :)
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