The Rudest Things You Can Do When Emailing
I remember Roy got in trouble for saying “Hey Friend” in an email when we all started working together because someone thought it was condescending.
Email has been around for a while yet as you know from your own inbox, people are far from perfect at using it. In fact, some folks are darn right rude in their electronic mail. It could be that they’re monsters or maybe they never had a lesson in how to not come across as passive-aggressive online. Here are some etiquette experts’ tips on some faux pas to avoid.
Writing Sloppily. Despite all the spelling and grammar checks built into email systems these days, some people still manage to send out sloppy emails. Civility expert Patricia Rossi says that when you send out messages riddled with errors the “other person might get the impression that you are rushed, do not pay attention to detail or have a careless attitude.” Take an extra second to proofread your emails. Your coworkers’ eyes will thank you.
Rambling On And On. You wouldn’t corner someone at work and force them to listen to you go on and on about something, would you? Then why would you do it via email? Take etiquette expert Nick Leighton’s advice and keep “your communications respectful, clear, on topic and concise.”
Lashing Out In The Heat Of The Moment. Not to be dramatic but you could be one click away from losing your job if you can’t control your temper. Far too often people let their emotions get the best of them at work and fire off a scathing email only to regret it almost instantly. Etiquette expert Juliet Mitchell reminds you that “if you are ‘feeling some kind of way,’ you should wait, review, revise if necessary and then decide whether to send.” If you’re feeling frustrated, take a break, and cool down before typing your replies. You’ll save a lot of money on replacement keyboards.
