Rant/PSA - Email

[sourceninja]

The worst part about email is that people expect a formal letter back as a response.

I can't just reply with

I will look into the issue and contact you.

I have to reply with

Dave,

Thank you for the update. I promise to review the issue and contact you as soon as a resolution is reached. If you need any more help please contact me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you,
Me.

If they used IM, the first response is just fine. But via email it's considered rude by most of my co-workers.

 

[AstroManLuca]

Most people are careless about keeping in touch. I know some people don't like being available all the time, but in most cases, they're out of touch because they're just careless, not on purpose.

I have my phone all the time, my work email is always checking and pops up when I get a new one, and I actually listen to my voice mail. I don't even get many work-related calls or emails! But if someone needs to contact me, they can, unless I'm on the crapper, in the shower, or sleeping.

Most people I know don't ever answer their phones or check their voice mail. The one who is really good about it doesn't even have a cell phone, but he's easier to get in touch with than most people because he has a VOIP home phone that sends him an email when he gets a voice mail.

 

[lxskllr]

The worst part about email is that people expect a formal letter back as a response.

I can't just reply with

I will look into the issue and contact you.

I have to reply with

Dave,

Thank you for the update. I promise to review the issue and contact you as soon as a resolution is reached. If you need any more help please contact me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.

Thank you,
Me.

If they used IM, the first response is just fine. But via email it's considered rude by most of my co-workers.

Break them of that expectation. If they want a formal response, they can send you a formal question with a fountain pen, on real paper, and wax sealed ;^)

 

[RagingBITCH]

Things I hate:

Replying to all with "thanks" or something completely useless
Adding your email address and website to your signature - seriously?
Those tree hugger messages in their signature telling me I need to think before printing this email. Fuck you...I'm going to print it anyway now.

 

[alkemyst]

Fuck you...I'm going to print it anyway now.

Make sure you shake your fist in the air as well.

My biggest pet peeve is "See below" and you have a train wreck of responses to sift through.

 

[RedCOMET]

My biggest pet peeve is "See below" and you have a train wreck of responses to sift through.

I don't mind that if its about an issue i will eventually have to deal with personally. However, what I do hate is when the email train will impact me and i'm not part of the original email train. that annoys me more than the see below.

Also, Life hacker just had another article about email pet peeves and etiquette.

 

[Patranus]

I would say it really depends on the situation.

If your company provides you a Blackberry then it is reasonable to expect that you will be checking your email continuously.

 

[alkemyst]

I don't mind that if its about an issue i will eventually have to deal with personally. However, what I do hate is when the email train will impact me and i'm not part of the original email train. that annoys me more than the see below.

that's what i meant...totally dumping it on me for me to go a figure out what they even need.

 

[kami333]

Things I hate:
Adding your email address and website to your signature - seriously?

I have my email address in my signature. Outlook likes to display names and hides the addresses.