Shi Languang, a junior university student in Nanjing who started to write letters three years ago, says he enjoys the traditional way of communication.

He was troubled by the fact that he often got nervous when he talked to a girl he liked in person, and sometimes there were misunderstandings, so he decided to communicate with her by letter, he says.

"I can take my time and don't have to worry about failing to correctly express myself .... The receiver gets a more accurate idea of what I am saying, too. I reckon handwritten letters can express more feelings than words can on a screen."

Even sending the letter is something to savor, he says.

"When my carefully written letter drops into the mailbox I'm thinking about what the person receiving it will feel and look forward to receiving the reply."

Completely counter to the impatience that the world of instant messaging can engender, some aficionados of the handwritten letter find that waiting for the reply is part of its pleasure. As they wait, thoughts and emotions have time to develop and become clearer.