Reading other people’s greetings cards

I wouldn't do it at a friend's house. I might at a close relatives or someone I knew very well. I don't think that you can really complain though if they are on display.

I've never given it any thought. I always put cards on display. What's so private or intrusive in birthday wishes? Not fazed at all by who looks through them. If I didn't like it I wouldn't display them.....

I started to reply and explain that I receive a lot of cards and so I keep a couple of pretty ribbons strung up in the hall to display them, then it it occurred to me that I had forgotten to take down the Christmas cards from there! I've just done it now.

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if friends or family read my cards, but in order to do so they would have to take them off the line or tilt their heads sideways to read them. Before Christmas there were cards saying Thank You, Thinking of You, New Granddaughter etc. - all fairly innocuous and most say on the front what they're for. I would occasionally read cards in my children's homes and at my parents-in-law's home if there were a special occasion, especially if it was under discussion. So for example last year my father-in-law won a very prestigious award and received many cards that were put out on display. I can't honestly remember, but I assume I would have said, 'May I?' before reading them.

It really wouldn't be a big deal for me, but then I don't display cards that I wouldn't want read, cards from clients for example.

It’s not something I do (read inside them), but my sil does (birthday cards, not Xmas cards). I used to find it a bit odd, but am used to it now!

But if they are humorous, how do you find out the punch line? I wouldn't dream that I was expected to ask permission!

How British! They are only birthday cards, a part of a celebration not hush hush secret documents!

Sorry, posted too soon. Same as I wouldn't pick up a private letter and read it if it was lying around in view.

I wouldn't dream of reading another person's cards unless invited to do so.

I would not dream of reading birthday cards on display if I was visiting a friends house. Damn rude of her I say. I would say that anyone who picks up and reads personal cards is rude.

I'm with you, vickymeldrew. It's something I would never do and would not expect any one else to do!!

No I wouldn't read other people's messages out loud. Actually I would just admire the fronts, and not read the insides at all.

Havent ever thought of it.In the country where we live they never put out cards, I wouldnt read them if they did.

Gosh, maybe this is a family thing, in my family, parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, friends etc always look at each other’s cards, laugh at the funny ones etc. I always thought this is why people exhibit them. Isn’t the displaying of them the key thing? Would never read other mail, never heard of anyone minding them being looked at before.

I couldn't do that in anyone's house regardless of how friendly I was with the occupant/s. Admire them but don't touch------which applies to everything else in someone else's home.

Nanagem That’s unbelievable!!!

I would not read other people's cards f they were displaed,, but if you decide to do so .....................

I wouldn't do it, but I know some people do, but I don't understand why reading other people's birthday card would be of any interest to anyone. I once had a friend who used to look at my calendar, she probably knew more about my appointments than I did myself. I always found myself moving any calendars, letters, cards etc. before she arrived.

I do it with relatives ie DD etc. but I can't imagine reading anyone elses. But she is a close friend so i would not let it bother you. As from the responses here a lot of people do, and I can't really see an issue.

If you choose to put them out on display surely you can't really object to family reading them, I find this happens a lot with Christmas cards, rest of the family catching up with cards from family friends sent to me, I have no problem with that. Must admit I would find it a bit odd if friends rifled through them. Likewise if you don't want your bank statement looked at put it away. Old friends who are a bit like extra family do sometimes get it wrong I am sure she was just enjoying your birthday with you part of which was apparently reading your cards.

I've always thought cards on display were for reading! I read all my granddaughter's cards last week. Mind you, she is four. Your friend probably saw nothing wrong with it.

I'd probably do that as I'm incorrigibly nosy!

I definitely wouldn’t do it, and was quite annoyed to find my mum reading mine once including the one from my husband, I think it’s intrusive and prying to read something that is private, but my parents are like that, I once came into my kitchen to find my father reading my husbands bank statement! I once had to stop my mother looking through my teenagers daughter’s school bag , I told her that she was out of order, she then gave me a lecture on how I was out of order for not doing so!

Funny post its my birthday next week so I'll give this some thought no it wouldn't bother me at all! Just glad I was remembered ha ha

I agree with you Vicky. Fine to admire the card itself, but not to read inside. My ex-sister-in-law used read inside any cards we had out when she visited. She also studied the wall calendar in my kitchen. Both rude and unacceptable in my opinion.

I do that. I'll stop now. Not in friends houses, but I do it with family.