well, I live in the US, and when i first got started, about 3 years ago, i didn't know about IRC's or about sending a SASE. i was just a fan wanting an auto...i wrote to Rupert Grint and asked him for his autograph. I sent just my letter and an index card, and to my surprise, I got a response from him. it took about a year to get it. but it was worth the wait. he sent me two personalized autographs, and signed the index card that i included in my letter.
but...now that we all know (we as in mostly everyone here) about IRC's and SASE's...i really think it is much more polite to send a SASE with either IRC's OR with the correct amount of postage.
![Wink ;-)](./images/smilies/icon_wink.gif)