Sad Commentary on E-mail Courtesy

September 10, 2008 by Judith

The fact you are reading my Blog shows you care about E-mail Etiquette and Netiquette and have an interest in “communicating with knowledge, understanding and courtesy.”

Although I’ve seen a marked increase in the interest level in regard to E-mail Etiquette as of late, there still seems to be overall lack of courtesy from many who e-mail me. I am treated as though I am a public servant here to cater to any e-mailers demands.

Several times each day I am contacted as though it is my job to provide information “free of charge” just because someone wants, needs, desires it. Folks contacting an E-mail Etiquette site asking E-mail Etiquette questions who clearly have not even made the effort to get to know the basics involved wso they can contact me with courtesy.

They just care about the questions they have and want answers .I actually get demands actually telling me to write about a subject, then e-mail it to them free of charge — I’m not kidding!!

Numerous times each and every day I am contacted with e-mail etiquette questions that lack an “appreciate your help” type comments just e-mails demanding I respond “ASAP!!” Very rarely are there any TIAs (thanks in advance) or similar terms used when requesting my assistance. Tell me now! That’s your job!

It may be the change of seasons like the full moon that is causing this trend. But one thing is clear, all too many folks forget that there are living breathing human beings on the other side of these screens. Or they figure since they are not face-to-face, the formalities of being nice and courteous do not matter.

News flash — they do matter! I guess what these terse and demanding folks do not realize is that those of us with free sites who answer e-mails personally, and offer what information we can to help are not obligated in any way to do so.

I do all this E-mail Etiquette stuff because I am passionate about the subject. I have NetManners.com and this Blog to help. I am not offering a paid service where I am obligated to jump through hoops or answer to any demands someone who may choose to visit my site may have.

All these type of e-mail do is let me know to keep on plugging. And that’s what I’ll do. If we all work together to educate other onliners on the reality of the online world and how important it is to practice E-mail Etiquette and proper technology use, things will slowly change.

One can only hope….

Share (You know you want to...)