We all use email, especially at work. I send and receive volumes of email daily and one question haunts my mind. Is it proper etiquette to reply to every message one receives?
For example, I'm having problem loading an eLearning program. I sent an email to the owner of this program. She sent me the information I needed; there was a MS system glitch (of course) and a work-around. Now do I write back with an email that says, "Thank you"?
It's the proper thing to do, but it seems silly. Perhaps I'm essentially a rude person, but I think about the server space for each "thank you." Don't even get me started on the "you're welcome." And it is You Are Welcome. "Your welcome" can be followed with "was a great introduction to the business."
Ah, the email thank you. I'm not a big fan of the email thank you. My rule of thumb (and that doesn't mean it is a good rule to follow) is that if the action a person took for me required some effort then I thank them. If it was an easy thing to do I don't send a separate thank you but I'll try to remember to thank them another time. Best yet, thank them with the request. "Would you do this for me? Thank so much!"
Posted by: Laurie | January 26, 2005 at 02:45 PM