No Name? Then You ARE a Nobody!

E-mail Etiquette includes reflecting your name in the From: field settings of your e-mail program.  Because you can e-mail in anonymity doesn’t mean you should.  Not only is it rude; it makes one wonder why you do not have the intestinal fortitude to back up your questions, comments or claims by identifying yourself?  Chicken?

I’m visible online.  I have a bunch of sites and therefore am more exposed than most to those who apparently have no manners, courtesy and way too much time on their hands.  I shake my head at some of the e-mails that these incognito e-mailers actually took their time to send.   How sad for them that this is how the chose to spend their time while making it clear to perfect strangers how irrelevant, unintelligent and ignorant they really are.

Let’s be clear here.  I enjoy debate — that is one of the neat things about being online is the sharing of different points of view and opinions.  But you need to know that if you don’t have your name (not a handle or acronym) in the From field (or you do not input your proper name in the name field of a contact form) and if you don’t sign your name when you e-mail others — you should not expect a response.  Nor should you expect to be taken seriously.

I respond to every e-mailer who contacts me in a courteous manner, whether they agree with me or not is moot.  However, I do not respond to sarcastic comments, digs and callow statements by those who apparently don’t have a “set” large enough to communicate as an adult in a fair exchange of ideas by including their name.  I simply don’t have time for those who behave in such a puerile manner.

And, know that many I type with feel the same way.   Many of my clients and other site owners that I e-mail with on a regular basis have stated that they simply delete e-mails where the sender cannot communicate as an adult.  If it isn’t worth your time to identify yourself and type as those you have a basic education, don’t expect busy professionals to take the time to answer your e-mails.  They won’t.

E-mail is all about perception folks.  Act like a limp-wristed bully and that’s how you will be viewed.  Communicate as though you are illiterate with no manners or courtesy — and that’s exactly what those on the other side will think of you.

Don’t identify yourself or sign you name in your e-mails; then you will be seen as the nobody you reflect yourself to be.

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