Are Quotation Marks Acceptable?

A site visitor writes:

Is it acceptable to emphasize a point in an email with quotes? For example: The people on the Board are “elected” not appointed.

Anything you can do to ensure your intent and the meaning of your comments come through as intended is O.K.

That said, I don’t think the above is a good example of emphasis instead I would take that as more along the lines of elected but insinuating how they were elected may be at question with a bit of sarcasm. Is that what you intended? If that’s the case the above use is fine.

Nuances of perception with the written word in plain text can be tricky. Sarcasm should be avoided if possible as it is subjective and open to interpretation by the other side. What I do for emphasis is use forward slashes, for example:

It is not that I care, it is that I care /too much/.

Twelve-Step Program Aims to Cure E-mail Addiction?

Now I’ve heard it all! Addicted to e-mail? Maybe dependent, most likely unorganized — but addicted? I think that is a bit extreme. Are onliners now going to be going to rehab because of e-mail?

Here is the article where I read about this:

Twelve-step program aims to cure e-mail addiction

Some of the points made are valid with the cause being more times than not lack of guidance or training on how to properly use this wonderful, still fairly new technology. Add to that a combination of little-to-no discipline or discretion when using e-mail and you will have problems.

On my E-mail Etiquette Web site I have an article on how to get organized before you too may become “addicted”:

10 E-mail Organization Tips - Get Your e-mail Organized

Are You the Initiator?

Do you have acquaintances where you are the one who always initiates a contact? Is the only time you get an e-mail from some people is when they are responding to your e-mails? Should you continue to always be the one to make the first move?

I can understand how frustrating that must be. Could it be the other person is truly very busy? It could be taking the first step is appreciated as that gives the other side the opportunity to communicate with you. If they do respond and are not ignoring you why not keep things status quo?

If the other side responds in kind with details, are chatty and really seem to enjoy your e-mail, I would continue. I know my Mother rarely e-mails me first and I know she loves me. However, if the replies are terse or abrupt, maybe just forget about it and wait until they contact you.

On the other hand I know I have a person from my past that will e-mail me on occasion. I never e-mail them first - because I am really not interested in reinstating our relationship so I am cordial and polite. Rarely do I ignore someone who continues to contact me. The rare occasion being when we really have no relationship or anything in common to continue the communications. In that case what is the point? Both sides need to be realistic.

I think one knows in their gut based on the replies (or lack thereof) if the other side wants to continue to hear from you. And, if they don’t - who cares - that is their loss! Spend your time communicating and forming relationships with those who appreciate and are open to your efforts.

Don’t Overreact Based on Assumptions

I get e-mailed for advice by onliners who go to my site, click on my contact link, fill out my form and ask me questions. I don’t make them go to my site, click on the link and ask their questions. They do so because, I believe they are looking for answers to their questions.

Several times each week, onliners, don’t like my comments and/or answers. The get defensive, accusatory and make assumptions about me that have nothing to do with the topic at hand. This week has been a doozey in that regard. Is it a full moon?

One e-mailer asked about how to setup a certain way of e-mailing inquiry/marketing e-mails. They mentioned a company whose site they would use to garner information about other companies.

First off, their inquiry wasn’t about E-mail Etiquette — the topic of my site. It was about server functionality in regard to handling e-mails. Even though the question was not on topic, I took time to offer my suggestions. Including, that they “may” be spamming if the leads they mentioned were not from people who specifically asked for their information.

That’s when everything fell apart! How dare I assume they were spammers!? Why am I not familiar with the company they mentioned! How can I sleep at night!?

How can I sleep at night???? <sheesh>

I didn’t assume — I simply stressed a concern based on the information provided. Am I to know the Terms of Service for every single company online or on the planet? Who is assuming here? And I don’t appreciate being replied to in a condescending manner because I simply tried to offer advice based on the content of an inquiry. As far as sleeping at night — I have no problem there thank you very much!

As I always do, I tried to kindly smooth things over. No go. An overreaction of this magnitude was not normal nor based on anything I actually typed. Assumptions were flying everywhere with me being accused of using adjectives I did not.

Make sure your e-mails are clear and don’t assume the other side knows what you know. Also, don’t read into a reply was simply isn’t there. To turn to insults and innuendo because you were not clear, you assumed or because you may not like the advice given simply will reflect on your lack of professionalism and integrity.

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