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elbanditoroso's avatar

What happens if you bend an envelope that is marked "Do Not Bend"?

Asked by elbanditoroso (33520points) June 3rd, 2019

In today’s mail, I received an envelope marked Do Not Bend in big red letters.

I bent it. Actually I tore it in half. (It was junk mail from Time Magazine wanting me to subscribe.)

Can I expect the letter-bender police to visit me?

What’s the penalty for bending an envelope marked ‘do not bend’?

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9 Answers

Irukandji's avatar

“Do Not Bend” is an instruction to the mail carrier, not the recipient. It’s just a way of telling everyone along the delivery chain that there is something inside the envelope that may be damaged by bending. There’s no punishment for bending something with “do not bend” on it, though a commercial carrier (like UPS or FedEx) may be liable for damages in certain circumstances if they destroy the contents.

LadyMarissa's avatar

Apparently nothing. It seems to be used as a challenge for the delivering company to see how many different ways they can twist the envelope.I think that it was originally used to designate that there were probably photos being shipped. Now that we no one longer have photos sent out to be processed, it seems to mean very little!!!

kritiper's avatar

You could destroy the photographs or other coated items within.

ragingloli's avatar

It is a challenge to the mailman.
Just like the labels “FRAGILE” and “THIS SIDE UP”.

zenvelo's avatar

You mean like this diploma?

It just ruins whatever is in there.

flutherother's avatar

The worst case scenario would be a crease in the space time continuum opening up a crooked line all the way from your letter box to the constellation Orion. The consequences could be alarming particularly if the mutant zombies of Zone X find out about it. Unlikely to happen. I wouldn’t worry about it.

kritiper's avatar

In the instance described by the OP, I’d say the words “DO NOT BEND” was a advertising ploy to get the envelope opened without just being chucked in the recycle bin.

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