I like getting them (both PM and e mails) from other members
I’ve had 'em and enjoy 'em.
PMs and emails are handy if you spot something on the web that you know a Doper is interested in and for whatever reason, you don’t think there’d be much point in starting a thread on it. Besides, the person may not see it, and if it’s something that’s time sensitive, then an email or a PM (or both as I’ve done before) is a handy way to alert someone. I certainly don’t mind if I get one from a fellow Doper.
I’m all for PMing and e-mail. Usually, it’s from something I read and I wanted clarification on something that would sidetrack the thread. A couple of times, it was because I wanted to ask a question about something that wouldn’t be of interest to anyone else (like, was it the store at 66th and Park, cause I KNOW how awful that place is) and a PM is the easiest, most direct way.
ETA: Like the others said, if I didn’t want them, I’d disable them.
I like getting PMs. Makes me feel special. 
Fine with me, as long as we’re all civil.
Me, too. In fact, I’d consider it a compliment that someone noticed me and actually wanted to communicate with me. 
I’ve sent and gotten PMs but only recently. I do infrequently email a Doper with some thoughts. Either way, if I reach out it is for a reason and if they demur, I won’t reach out again.
Otherwise, I cannot see much difference between the two- aside from the fact that PM’s take up a smidgen of the squirrel-power upon which we all so dearly rely.
Cartooniverse
I like PMs and emails. Hell, I’ve probably gotten more of those than I have public replies. They’re great for wandering off topic, to avoid reviving a dying thread, for saying something you don’t mind sharing with one person, but don’t want to shout out to the whole world (like a phone number to your favorite dermatologist), or even for an on-topic comment when someone is feeling a bit shy.
I’ve never gotten a creepy one.
I don’t remember thinking about it before but I just checked and I did enable them. But I’ve never gotten one so I guess I forgot.
I don’t see anything wrong with pm’ing a friendly comment or piece of information.
I’d be happy to hear from anyone on the SDMB via PM. I’ve been very happy the few times I’ve logged on and found I had a PM.
I certainly don’t mind. I’ve received a few emails from Dopers and the exchanges have always been pleasant. If I did get a flame mail, I’d probably laugh at the person for being so cowardly.
I also use my email address at the imdb for the plot summaries I write, which has led to a lot of emails from random people, usually looking for more information about movies or TV shows. Overall, it’s fun. Most are polite (I try to help them out as best I can), a few are rude or demanding (which I simply ignore), and a few are entertainingly insane, like the one woman who sent me a 5-page, multi-colored email emphatically insisting that The Entity was not a work of fiction. I’d never said anything either way, but apparently my address was the only one on the movie’s page, so she picked me. I keep that mail around for amusement.
I always wanted to be PMed. Hopefully, someday, my little notification thingy will read “new message.” I wait for that day…
Serious, doesn’t bother me a bit. I think it’s a good function and welcome messages from all dopers!
Brendon Small
Are you kidding!? Half the reason I joined Facebook was because of the notifications. It puts a smile on my face and a song in my heart to open my email and see that I have 14 unread nonspam messages. I’m an emailaholic. FEED MY ADDICTION!. Ahem
Yesterday I got a PM from someone simply because I said I don’t mind getting PMs for any reason, and I will amend my above statement with what I wrote in reply: There should be some reason. 
I said “any reason” because there had been conversation about whether people prefer to get only friendly PMs/e-mails, but I don’t care what the subject is. I care that there is a subject, though: I’m not much for “hi for no reason” messages.
PM, email, IM. Give a holler whenever you want! I certainly didn’t make them available because I didn’t want to talk to people!
Yes, that would be a bit weird to me too. Especially if that’s really all they have to say and don’t want to talk.
I don’t mind either PMs or emails, and I’ve received a few.
There are some truly lovely people on the Dope. Some stinkers, too, but I think the lovely people outnumber the stinkers.
If I minded I’d have it switched off. Never had a problem with a bad email from here.
I don’t mind PMs or emails, though I’ve not received many of either.
And I’ve used PMs negatively, apparently in defiance of what the rest of you consider to be the appropriate manner. I used the PM instead of Pitting a poster because I thought the current behaviour was a departure from their regular posting style and wanted to bring it to the poster’s attention, not flog them in front of the whole board. We worked out our differences–one of which is that we both come across as bitchy at times–and all is cool now. Should I have not taken that to PM?
Now I’m all worried that I’m a bigger asshole than I thought I was. 