You’ve Got (Annoying) Mail

text

email

Etiquette

text etiquette

email etiquette

don't be rude

don't be annoying

In light of recent email travesties goldmines we are taking the opportunity to enlighten our readers on proper email etiquette. Think you have email mastered? Maybe you do, but are your texts driving people crazy? Here’s our advice for how to keep your digital communications – and you – on the up and up (and out of the hands of the vengeful press).

1. “K.” This is not an appropriate response to an email or a text. It sounds passive aggressive and lazy. Let’s see how hard it is to use a complete two-letter ABBREVIATION for a word. >> OK. Phew, I had a hard time locating the “O,” but luckily, it’s always next to the “P.” As in please. Besides, think of all the calories burned!

2. Giant Graphic Signatures. This is unnecessary and rarely aesthetically pleasing. Plus, it adds an attachment to every email you send, which makes other people’s inboxes fuller and less navigable. AND, if your phone number (or any other linkable information) is written in text, recipients can usually click on it from their phones. Sometimes life is easier when you simplify. That swirly font is ugly anyway.

3. Razzle Dazzle. Large, ostentatious fonts (see above). Designed email stationery. GIFs. Your email is not the appropriate venue to showcase your fabulous personality, and you will immediately lose credibility – regardless of your profession – if you adopt the ridiculous practice of bedazzling your emails. Save it for the jean jackets. 

4. Reply All. If you are sending an email to a large group of people ask yourself the following question: Will every person on this email care about every response? If the answer is no, BCC the entire group or send your note individually. If you are on the receiving end of one of these mass emails, and you think an entire audience may not appreciate your response, lose the “all.” And folks, this model applies to the new and improved group text function on your smart phone. Nobody should be subjected to an incessant buzzing while you and your hilarious friend share your irrelevant chatter.

5. Forward. Look, we get that not everyone can craft a clever email. It takes a special kind of genius to make an offensive political joke, use 24 different fonts, upload pictures of cats and create a mile-long document filled with asterisks inviting you to make a wish at the very end. We don’t care how much you want your wish to come true, how funny that cat is or how true (it is not true) that political joke is, don’t do it. Let’s try to rid the world of forwarded email chains in 2012. And if you don’t tell this to 25 people, the world is going to end.

Guys, following these rules is not hard. Emily Post may not have outlined them back in the day, but we promise, she’s on our side (this time). Have you noticed any other annoying habits that didn’t make the list? Share them in the comments and give the perpetrators a piece of your mind!

Taken the tour, but still want more? Get in touch!