# How Long A Wait Is Reasonable For...

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-wait-is-reasonable-for/725100>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 14, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-wait-is-reasonable-for/725100 "2015-07-14T01:01:04Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-wait-is-reasonable-for/725100/1 "2015-07-14T01:01:04Z")

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I wrote a State Government agency a letter of inquiry requiring a response in a reasonable period. The letter was sent on Fri., 01 May and this Weds. will be 15 July with no response to date (and it is doubtful a reply will come even if I wait until Fri., 17 July…which I am willing to do). How many calendar days (or, calendar weeks, if you prefer) would you feel is more than reasonable to wait before elevating the matter? Thx!

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**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-wait-is-reasonable-for/725100/2 "2015-07-14T01:53:19Z")

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I’d say a month. Do people ever reply to letters any more? How about starting to phone the agency, oh, say…every day? Or find someone to email.

How [del] obnoxious[/del] persistent you decide to be depends on what you want and from whom.

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**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\
**Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-long-a-wait-is-reasonable-for/725100/3 "2015-07-14T02:25:00Z")

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> [@ThelmaLou](#):
>
> I’d say a month. Do people ever reply to letters any more? How about starting to phone the agency, oh, say…every day? Or find someone to email.
> 
> How [del] obnoxious[/del] persistent you decide to be depends on what you want and from whom.

I understand letter writing is old-fashioned, but it is legal proof of action when sent by certified and/or registered mail.