No Name; Email Address Only?

Email Etiquette includes displaying your name in the From field settings of your email program. You do not want to make recipients wonder who the email is from based on your email address. That is unless that is your plan.

Recently I’ve received a slew of anonymous emails. Every single one reflecting a lack of communications skills, clarity, and courtesy. If I typed like that, I would probably not want folks to know who I was either.

Is using just an email address okay to enable emailing in anonymity? Unless you fear reprisal, I’m not sure why you feel the need to be anonymous.

Why would you want to do that, and in that case, why would anyone consider taking your email seriously when you do? They won’t.

I’ve had folks email me that way when they want to hide from their comments. They wanted to be rude and didn’t have the intestinal fortitude to back up their questions, comments, or claims by identifying themselves. Delete.

Being Anonymous Lacks Credibility

Needless to say, I’m pretty visible online. So naturally, therefore, I have many sites and am more exposed than most to those who have no manners, courtesy, and, to be honest, way too much time on their hands.

I shake my head at what these anonymous emailers take their time to send. How sad for them that this is how they choose to spend their time while making it clear to perfect strangers how irrelevant, unintelligent, and ignorant they can be.

Let’s be clear. I enjoy debate — that is one of the neat things about being online is the sharing of different points of view and opinions. Viewpoints you may otherwise never have been exposed to.

But only in civil and adult conversations. Be anonymous and rude, and I shake my head while moving your message to the trash.

You Are How You Are Perceived

But you need to know that if you don’t include your name:

• In the From field of an email.
• In the name field of a contact form.
• Or if you do not take the time to type your name at the end of your message.

You should not expect a response. Nor should you expect to be taken seriously.

I respond to those who contact me with courtesy; whether they agree with me or not is moot. However, I do not respond to sarcastic comments, digs (and threats), and callow statements by those who apparently don’t have the maturity to communicate as an adult. I don’t have time for those who behave in such a puerile manner.

I am not alone…

Many have shared with me that they feel the same way. More than a few have stated that, just as I do, they delete emails where the sender cannot communicate as an adult.

If it isn’t worth your time to identify yourself and type as though you have a basic education, don’t expect busy professionals to take the time to acknowledge your emails. They won’t.

Email is all about perception, folks. Act like a limp-wristed bully, and that’s how those you email will view you. Communicate as though you are illiterate with no manners or courtesy — and that’s precisely what those on the other side will think of you.

Don’t identify yourself or sign your name in your emails; you will be seen as the nobody you project yourself to be.