Chain mails have been around for decades and have evolved over time. In the early days, chain mails were passed through physical letters, and if you broke one, it was a simple matter to ignore it or throw it away. Today, chain mails are transmitted online, and if you break one, you can expect a variety of consequences.

Breaking a chain mail can have different consequences, depending on the context in which it was presented. However, here are some things that could happen when you break a chain mail.

1. You could Feel a Sense of Guilt

If the chain mail is something meaningful or emotional, such as one that says, “Send this to five people to support cancer survivors,” breaking it could make you feel guilty. This guilt can be particularly potent if the message tugs at your heartstrings, and you believe that by breaking the chain mail, you’re somehow contributing to the problem. However, you must be wary of unintentionally spreading misinformation or disinformation.

2. You could Miss Out Entertainment or Opportunities

Some chain mails come with the promise of entertainment, such as “Send this to 10 people, and you will receive a funny meme. Don’t break the chain mail!” If you break the chain mail, you may miss out on the promised entertainment, or some opportunities that could help you, such as an invitation to a party or an upcoming event.

3. You could be Excluded from Peer Circles.

In some cases, chain mails come with subtle or overt threats, like “If you don’t forward this to 20 people, you’ll be excluded from our group chat.” Although this type of chain mail is unfair, it’s not uncommon for people to feel pressured into following along. If you break the chain mail, you could be excluded from the group chat, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing after all.

4. You Could Be Flooded with Negative Messages

There are also chain mails that come with a warning, “If you break this, bad luck will hit you.” If you’re superstitious, that can be a terrifying prospect. However, these chain mails are usually empty threats, and in most cases, nothing will happen if you break them. On the other hand, you could also receive negative messages from people who think you’ve done something wrong.

5. You Could Be Helping to Stop a Scam or Spam

Most chain mails offer nothing of value but are instead designed to spread spam or scam people. They rely on the ‘bandwagon effect’, where people follow the majority without applying any logic or reason. However, breaking the chain mail, in such cases, can be a great thing. When you break the chain mail, you’re essentially preventing it from spreading to more people, hence stopping the scam or spam before it grows.

In conclusion, while breaking chain mails may not have significant consequences, it’s essential to exercise discretion and caution when dealing with them, so you don’t fall prey to scams or spread misinformation. If you feel uncomfortable with a chain mail, you should trust your instincts and be confident in your decisions of either breaking the chain mail or ignoring it. So, if you receive a chain mail, think critically about its content and the possible consequences, so you know how to respond.