FB FAQ (Friendship Book Frequently Asked Questions)
Everything on this page refers to snail mail, not email.

What are FBs ?
Small booklets made for the purpose of getting and sharing penfriends. Someone makes one, sends it to another penfriend. That person can write their name, address and interests in it, then pass it to another penfriend. This continues until the FB is full. Then it's sent back to the person who made the book (the maker).

Anyone who handles the book along the way can write to anyone else in the book, except people who say they want no penpals.

Isn't that the same as chain letters ?
No.

What's the difference ?
First of all, the term "chain letter" is a misleading label. What most people know as a chain letter is actually a pyramid letter. You know the type. They include things like : Copy this letter x times, and promise wonderful things will happen. If you don't copy the letter (or "break the chain"), terrible things await.

Many people believe chain letters are illegal. I'm not sure about other countries, but here in Australia, I was astonished to discover that there's no Post Office rules again chain letters as such. The rule they break is the one about making threats through the post, which all pyramid-type chain letters do.

FBs are like a chain, in that they are passed from one person to another. But there is no compulsion and no implied threat. You don't have to put your name in it, or even pass it on.

FBs can only be passed on with the full co-operation of everyone to whom they are sent. They are therefore not the like pyramid-chain letters.

How did FBs start ?
No idea ! Anyone who knows, tell me, and I'll add it here.

Who can swap FBs ?
Anyone who knows someone who swaps them. You'd be surprised how many people do !

Further questions (and answers) are welcome on this page. Contact me.

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