I get IMs from from former friends and potential new friends.

They have always initiated the chat but, I have often thought I would
like to chat with some of my other friends.. Should I start that?

I don't keep email addresses in my inbox/contacts, and I think you have to have that
in your contacts list.?. which also goes against my rules..

what are you thoughts on this........

I haven't gotten to the manners yet.  I am still trying to figure out how you know whether somebody does IM and what their address is.