Why is it not proper to write with red ink pen?

Question

I've known it all my life - filling documents, writing letter, signing with red ink pen (or pencil) is not proper. I understand the pencil bit, but I never knew exactly what was wrong with the red ink. Does somebody know the explicit social rule?

I get it!!!! So it's like discourteous to write in red ink + it's not practical for colour blind people.

Oh thanks so much.

Answer 1

I don't know that it is a social rule, but red ink is difficult for people with a certain kind of color-blindness to see. It also does not copy well and is not as readily apparent to the eye as blue or black ink. In school situations, red ink is used almost exclusively for corrections.

Answer 2

Have you ever tried reading something written in red pen? It's difficult.

Also, the red pen is associated with corrections (think: teachers). It's very easy to see red pen marks on something written entirely in blue or black ink.

Answer 3

For legal reasons at the least, red ink cannot be used. I am uncertain as to it's precise meaning, but there are at least one or two official, legal uses for red ink. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Answer 4

In the Police Service in UK., different ranks used different coloured inks: The lowly Police Constable used blue/black, right up to God who used Green. There were about three colours in between, one of which was red. It is probably the same in the army. So, to use an ink that was above your rank was taking the Pee and got you into all sorts of problems.............

Answer 5

Black ink, or even blue ink, show up better than red ink.
Too, if you are referring to the school setting, red ink is generally reserved for the teacher's use.

Answer 6

Should the need arise to photocopy the document, letter, etc. red ink does not copy well so black ink is preferred.

Answer 7

Also red ink is generally used for corrections on papers so it stands out.

Answer 8

It's just harder to read. And if it's for school the teacher is likely going to want to mark it in red pen so you can't have your writing be the same colour.

Answer 9

Some people just feel it's rude. Like you are superior to them ........harkening back to schooldays when teachers mark with red pen.

So it's safer not to use red unless it's something urgent or you really want to be rude to the person you are writing to.

Answer 10

Apparently its because some people cant see red ink or something like that