Email Etiquette Pledge and Certificate
Is courtesy no longer “in”? Have we lost our humanity when using technology? Are we a bunch of uneducated imbeciles?
From some of the emails floating around, one could easily think this to be true. The spammers think we are.
But I can’t entirely agree.
We want to communicate with “knowledge, understanding, and courtesy.” The thing is that many do not realize the impact of their written words.
etiquette n.
- conventional requirements as to social behavior; proprieties of conduct as established in any class or community or for any occasion.
- a prescribed or accepted code of usage in matters of ceremony, as at a court or in official or other formal observances.
- the code of ethical behavior regarding professional practice or action among the members of a profession in their dealings with each other
What is acceptable?
Some believe that they do not have to make any efforts in their daily email communications. Then you have the spammers who jam our inboxes and use our resources without recourse. Why has this become acceptable?
The truth is, it never really did. We accepted it and allowed it to continue. But that doesn’t have to be the standard. We can lead by example.
This Pledge is for those who want to reflect on the importance of taking the time to be courteous. For example, to spell-check, to say Hi and Thank You! in emails.
Showing concern for those on the other side by our actions and words is simply common courtesy. And reflects our humanity.
When you understand how technology works, you use it properly. That effort is part and parcel of participation. To hide behind this screen as an excuse to be lazy, crude, or appear uninformed is no longer acceptable.
As some will immediately assume, the goal is not to tell people what to do or hinder free speech. The purpose is to ensure the online world does not degrade to where we no longer want to participate.
Or worse, make the efforts necessary to behave in such a way that allows each of us to grow, learn, enjoy, and prosper.
When you “Take the Pledge” combined with a perfect score on my Email Etiquette Quiz, you can request a personalized Certificate of Commitment to print and display.
Won’t you join this noble effort and take the pledge?
The Email Etiquette Pledge
As a concerned Netizen who enjoys using technology to communicate in an informed and courteous manner, who doesn’t want to see the online world lose its human touch, I take the following Email Etiquette Pledge due to this.
I will…
Do my best and make an effort to learn about and follow proper Email Etiquette to communicate with courtesy and clarity to avoid misunderstandings. Email is not just about me — it is about the person on the other side of the screen as well.
Ensure I don’t hide behind this screen to say and do things I would otherwise not do face-to-face with those I email.
I will type to others as I would have them type unto me.
I will make an effort to understand technology enough to use it properly so that my lack of knowledge doesn’t harm or hurt those I communicate with.
By taking this simple pledge, I hope to help encourage other onliners not to use this incredible technology as an excuse to be lazy. Instead, let’s reach out and communicate as educated, civil, caring, and courteous human beings.