E-mail Etiquette
E-mail Etiquette
A basic problem is the terseness that flows from e-mails’ relative anonymity and immediacy. “In the absence of the visual and/or voice clues we get during direct or telephone conversations, misunderstandings occur,” she explains.
Netiquette niceties include:
Know the code. Writing e-mails in all caps is the same as yelling. Augment communication via symbols that convey emotion, such as :) for humor. (For those newly online, turn your head sideways when you look at the symbols and you’ll see a smiley face.) For more symbols, see www.lake-online.com/internut/emot.htm.
Be courteous. Let e-mails mirror courtesy normally used in telephone conversations or snail mail such as a greeting, a friendly sentence or two, the reason you’re e-mailing, a closing, and your name. Also include your title, phone number, or address.
Do it right. Check spelling and grammar of every e-mail to show respect for the reader and your desire for clear communication.
One to a customer. Forwarding a joke to everyone in your e-mail address book assumes they all think exactly as you do and that they have nothing better to do than read your junk mail. It also broadcasts e-mail addresses to all recipients. That’s a major no-no.
No fast-forwarding. The recipient of forwarded e-mail deserves a sentence or two of explanation. Not doing so is the Internet equivalent of unwanted taped solicitor calls.
A polite response. When responding, copy and paste the original e-mail in the response field, delete extraneous material, then type your answers and comments.
Avoid unnecessary attachments. They’re the biggest way viruses are spread. A virus detection program can help but isn’t a sure thing. And downloading large files such as photos can be time consuming.
No privacy here. E-mails can be forwarded, so you never know who may read them, and your office e-mail may not be secure.
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