Polite response to unwanted email?

[buvezdevin]

Dear Aunt Fern,

You clearly put a great deal of thought into your email, which was undoubtedly well meant.  Unfortunately, none of the information you provided is relevant to opportunities we are pursuing, nor to the reasons we are pursuing them.  We do appreciate your well wishes as we continue!

Regards,
GSNW

*Optional* P.S. of course, should we eventually go to Country A, we will be delighted to send you the details as personally experienced, to round out your supply of travel related monologues!

[Outdoor Girl]

^  I like this one.  It lets her know that you think she is a busybody and needs to mind her own business.  Politely.

[Cat-Fu]

It doesn't really matter what she emails or says, but you don't want to burn bridges. It will be easiest if you just send an email back and then forget about her.

Dear Fern,

Thanks for email. It sounds like you had a great time in country B. We'll let you know if we have any other questions about visiting country B.

Love

I really like this version! I think it's great because it doesn't give Fern the opportunity to argue and further blow hot air about Country B.

[Alpacas]

Dear Aunt Fern,

You clearly put a great deal of thought into your email, which was undoubtedly well meant.  Unfortunately, none of the information you provided is relevant to opportunities we are pursuing, nor to the reasons we are pursuing them.  We do appreciate your well wishes as we continue!

Regards,
GSNW

*Optional* P.S. of course, should we eventually go to Country A, we will be delighted to send you the details as personally experienced, to round out your supply of travel related monologues!

Love this one, for the same reason as Outdoor Girl

[Betelnut]

There is a certain person at my work who emails rude, condescending and intrusive instructions/advise/opinions to me and others at my work.  I usually reply:

XXX:

Thanks for your input!

Betelnut

[Lady Snowdon]

Dear Aunt Fern,

We did receive the email that you sent to us the other day regarding the possibility of us moving to Country A.  I'm not sure what information you were trying to give us, since your email focused on Country B, not Country A, and the jobs we are applying for are in Country A.  We'll be sure to let you know if we need any help at a later date. 

Love,

GNSW

Possibly too cold, but I would be really irritated by this person telling me what I should be doing. 

My grandmother has a similar habit, of giving opinions regarding certain nationalities, except that her opinions were all formed in the 1970's and 1980's, so a lot of it isn't relevant anymore.  For example, she lived in Berlin, Germany while the Berlin Wall was up, and her view of German society is based on that very fractured viewpoint.  I disregard almost everything she says regarding "all Germans", due to that. 

[CrazyDaffodilLady]

Maybe I'm being petty, but it would stick in my craw to say "thanks" in any way, shape, or form to this woman.  You received the email, you read the email, you want to acknowledge the email (to shut her up).  But the email was not written with kindness or concern for you, so gratitude is not called for, to say the least.

[bonyk]

Maybe I'm being petty, but it would stick in my craw to say "thanks" in any way, shape, or form to this woman.  You received the email, you read the email, you want to acknowledge the email (to shut her up).  But the email was not written with kindness or concern for you, so gratitude is not called for, to say the least.

I agree with this.  I couldn't thank someone for being completely overbearing.  I would say something like, "I got your email, but it wasn't really relevant for us.  See you at the next family gathering!"

[Dandy Andy's Daddy's Love]

Dear Aunt Fern,

Unfortunately, living in Country B is not an option as the commute would be far too long.

[oceanus]

OP, I think your own email is fine, although I enjoyed reading some of the others.

(Whew. Fern sounds like a real piece of work, btw     )

[Shoo]

I don't think I'd reply to her email at all.  I'd just delete it and go on with my life.

[sammycat]

Maybe I'm being petty, but it would stick in my craw to say "thanks" in any way, shape, or form to this woman.  You received the email, you read the email, you want to acknowledge the email (to shut her up).  But the email was not written with kindness or concern for you, so gratitude is not called for, to say the least.

I agree with this.  I couldn't thank someone for being completely overbearing.  I would say something like, "I got your email, but it wasn't really relevant for us.  See you at the next family gathering!"

You're not being petty at all CrazyDaffodilLady - I had the exact same reaction!

Personally, I'd completely ignore the email, and all the texts from people demanding a follow up.  However, if you really, truly, honestly feel a reply is warranted (and I don't think it is), then I like bonyk's response the best.

If anyone, including Aunt Fern, mentions it to you verbally, I'd just get a puzzled look on my face and say,"'yes, I'm not sure why she/you sent that.  Everyone knows we're investigating Country A, not Country B.  Fern/You must have gotten confused".  Then beandip. (Or maybe even email that response to her).

[Lauds]

It doesn't really matter what she emails or says, but you don't want to burn bridges. It will be easiest if you just send an email back and then forget about her.

Dear Fern,

Thanks for email. It sounds like you had a great time in country B. We'll let you know if we have any other questions about visiting country B.

Love

I really like this version! I think it's great because it doesn't give Fern the opportunity to argue and further blow hot air about Country B.

I like this too, but the OP's email is good too.

Really, the aim of the response is to shut Fern up and shut any arguments down. So I wouldn't mention country A - she'll just fire off another email. And once you've replied try and block her email address completely!

[kudeebee]

It doesn't really matter what she emails or says, but you don't want to burn bridges. It will be easiest if you just send an email back and then forget about her.

Dear Fern,

Thanks for email. It sounds like you had a great time in country B. We'll let you know if we have any other questions about visiting country B.

Love

I would use this but leave out the first line. I would not thank her or she may think what she did was helpful and send more emails.  Or, substitute " I read your email on country b." for the first line.

[MariaE]

Dear Aunt Fern,

You clearly put a great deal of thought into your email, which was undoubtedly well meant.  Unfortunately, none of the information you provided is relevant to opportunities we are pursuing, nor to the reasons we are pursuing them.  We do appreciate your well wishes as we continue!

Regards,
GSNW

*Optional* P.S. of course, should we eventually go to Country A, we will be delighted to send you the details as personally experienced, to round out your supply of travel related monologues!

Love this one, for the same reason as Outdoor Girl

This is my favourite as well. Not the least because it actually doesn't thank her for the email.