I wish I could say that your conclusion was not true. But in over 15 years of e-mailing with thousands of folks across the globe, I’ve yet to find anyone to disprove exactly what you’ve stated. Our actions or lack thereof, regardless of where or when, in fact are a reflection about what are our values and priorities.

If someone isn’t willing to integrate basic knowledge, courtesy and understanding in e-mail — it is indicative of other things. These folks typically don’t make simple efforts in other important areas that are even more important to their off-line life or online success. I know in my WordPress Consulting business, if someone doesn’t want to embrace the basics of Business E-mail Etiquette, I can count on that client to disregard other important advice that can affect their online success (and coincidentally these are the least profitable type of client as well).

What a shame to … E-mail Etiquette really takes very little effort. For the most part it’s just a matter of thinking about how your actions and word will be perceived by the other side and using the education you acquired in grade school!