Email etiquette. 
Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say that email needs to be another place to follow the rules. However, there are some things that I feel people may need to know if they expect to communicate effectively, efficiently and without causing people to talk behind their backs. And face it, this isn't something that was taught in school. We had to learn this on the mean streets. (I may be exaggerating here.)
So, without further ado, here is my working list:
- Don't ever assume people know you're joking, or being sarcastic. Unless there is an LOL, it will be read as if you are the meanest person that ever walked on two legs and could press a "send" button.
- If you are going to forward an email, be sure of three things;
- That you have read the email or at least know what you're sending to your unsuspecting friend or co-worker.
- Delete the additional headers that show up from when someone forwarded it to you.
- Be kind enough to add a little message, letting me know that you thought it was interesting. Or even just a "Read this" or "LOL" would suffice.
- If you simply forward me the daily journal of the listserv you're on, I am going to think you are a horrible person. On a related note, if I want the email you got from that random group, I would be on the list. And if I am on the list, why are you sending it to me again? I don't need 6 copies of the same email.
- There is a BCC (blank carbon copy) for a reason. If you're sending a message to 10 or more people, CC or BCC. I will only scroll past about 15 names before I decide that if you couldn't take the time to BCC or CC this list of people, I can't be bothered to read your email. Please use spell check. I don't expect perfection, but a little effort wouldn't kill you, would it?
- This may not be an issue for some, but tame down your automatic signature. I don't really think I need to read your 15 favorite quotes each time we email. Thanks, but no thanks. Maybe you could pin them instead.
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| At least Dilbert feels my pain. |
