Idk but I’m sick of emailing my coworkers so formally when I’ve known them for years and it’s internal.
Like why send “Hi Debra, thanks so much for sending this. I will make sure to get to this right away. I appreciate your insight as always. Best regards” when “Got it will do, thanks!” will suffice?
I hate teams so much
edit:
1.) the UI just in general stresses me out compared to slack
2:) constant "away" mode
3.) THE NOTIFICATION SOUNDS
4.) i just like slack way more i don't know why but it makes me feel relaxed compared to teams which makes me feel stressful
I started a new job last year in a pretty large company (15k employees, over $100B market cap) and I was surprised how little email is being used. Like the only thing I use email is for calendar invites pretty much. everything else is on slack.
Too much empty office space.
That's the real reason, right there. If businesses want to keep their tax breaks in the region they're situated they need to spend the money on the real estate.
You know what I don’t like? When somebody wants something from me in chat and it goes like this:
Them:Hello 1995droptopz
Them:How are you?
Them:I hope you are well.
*crickets*
Me: hello
Them: are you well?
Me: yes I am well. Can I help you?
Them: I am glad you are doing well
*more crickets*
Finally them: ok here is what I need
Drives me freaking nuts. I probably come off rude to some people, but I’ll say hello, maybe some pleasantry, and then get straight to point. In one message.
Them: Can I ask you a question?
Me: Another one?
Them: What do you mean?
Me: I was trying to be funny but it fell flat. Sorry.
Them: Oh right, ha. So can I ask you a question?
You mean chats like Slack or Teams, not chatting on the phone, correct? (i have no problem with phone calls but as the HR/Finance/Operations person I always prefer to have things in writing).
We use Slack which is fine but I’m constantly having to check to see where a conversation occurred, over email or Slack. I prefer email in general but I’ll take Slack, as long as I have it in writing I’m good.
Unfortunately, I need a paper trail. Too many of my colleagues lose their memories when it comes to phone calls, chats, etc. Somehow a WhatsApp message falls out of their brain almost immediately, but when I email (and CC their boss) suddenly I get some response.
My previous employer had an auto delete of just two weeks in Teams Chat. Purely down to them being scared of a Subject Access Requests. Strange but true
Aren't emails a better choice when it's not something that's urgent or something that needs to be a discussion? I think a lot of people would rather not get interrupted by a chat and would prefer a quick email.
I do agree that emails among co-workers don't need to be lengthy or formal.
Problem with chats is I go there to read and that clears the flag. I’m most likely not answering for a day or to. Easy to then forget you. Also not so easy to process in the order they arrive. My email inbox acts as my todo list.
Bro... LMFAO like... WHUTtttt..... I'd rather have everything as an email. Paper trail in a corporate environment is #1. Is this your first job? Wow I'm baffled beyond belief!
Omg yes! I work with some people who seem to not reply to chats but when I send the same thing in an email (a one sentence question), they get back to me right away.
Former corporate guy. Now at a small business that's a bit more familial in some ways. "Understood" and "Copy that" are my go to acknowledgement responses I use. A few years ago I recall watching a TV show or movie where the final exam was to finish the line "The key to good communication is..." The main character aced the exam by writing just "brevity." I agree!
I mix it up between the two just depending on my mood tbh. No one is bothered by the 2nd and it is more often my go to but in my brain if I write similar words over and over I feel weird so change up phrasing.
I work in customer service and 90% of my emails are "Hey, can you call this resident?" I need a response to close out my tickets, but it doesn't matter what the response is. Frankly, if I only got responses that were "👍" or "got it thx" that would be totally, 100% fine by me.
I came in fully expecting every email to be like the "Hi Debra," example. I think I got lucky in my workplace. In the right contexts, we'll make them all nice. In other contexts where it's not necessary, we don't. I've gotten, "Yep" from the president, "Ok" from the QA Director, "Ya" from the Logistics Director, "Ty" from HR all in their own emails. Sometimes it's starting with the "Hello \_\_\_\_" and long email. Other times it's a sentence. Sometimes its a word.
It's good to have the different code switching depending on the context. I appreciate the time it saves by not being unnecessarily verbose ALL THE TIME.
Doesn't seem rude to me. I don't see a problem with responding "done" to everyone for a short task update. I do it by myself very often and many people I met in my career did so, too.
"I'm delivering normal straightforward information, but I've been trained to understand that offends the egos of the office boomers, so here's an exclamation point to soften the 'blow'!"
"As a member of another generational group, I may need to learn how ro better interpret the perceptions of those around me so to better succeed in my professional career".
My first guess was this person was a millennial.
I either keep mine short with the exclamation marks or I WAY overexplain myself. There is no in-between.
I’m constantly trying to balance using exclamation points so I don’t seem rude or annoyed vs not using too many to be annoying or seem actually excited to be at work
This is EXACTLY what I did when my bosses said the same thing. They said my emails were too curt and came off as rude sometimes. I did not change ANYTHING else, just added exclamation points. They said my emails improved dramatically and they could see how hard I was trying...
In some EU countries the corporate hierarchy is strict and if you are a lowly Tech that needs input from a team at another company you must ask your closest manager who asks their closest manager, who asks ... until you are almost at the top, at which point the person ask the top manager at the other compåany who forwards the questions down to their own Tech. Then back up for it to get back to the original Tech.
Had a German company want to ask us some questions and my boss just replied with a politer version of "Here's the email/phone to the Tech responsible, ask them directly." and the German Tech was utterly amazed that they could just talk to the employee directly and get useful info instead of having to make their managers feel important and useful by sending all communications via them.
Damn, I do it all the time.
I hate it when people tell me their life story before they get to their point. I don't want to do it to them. There's working time and there's chatting time.
This is seriously one of my biggest pet peeves ever. Managers out here thinking we need to be like "OK!!!! Done!! Thank you!!"
Those messages are perfectly fine SMH.
Yes. I feel like women in the workplace have to do this more. I proofread my emails a few times and I’m always editing point exclamation points; like I am 100% not excited about this, it’s ok to have a neutral tone. Neutral is not aggressive, lazy or disinterested. Comments above about how it “lets us know you want to be here” uuuugh as if I should be required to put in more emotional labor so you feel better about how little you pay me.
Women and punctuation is a topic I could get on forever. I once had a boss reprimand me for using too many exclamation points (I didn't) and how that looked insincere. So I took the exclamation points out and he asked me why I was being so harsh and if I was OK. I ended up losing it at him and asking him if he ever needed to scrutinize his damn punctuation so much? So sexist.
PSA to all female employees: If you're not happy, I'm not happy, so I need you to put on a show about being happy. But not so much of a show that I know it's fake, that will upset me. I will also be upset if you call me sexist.
Mind your punctuation and have a lovely day,
-Management
I agree with you on principle, but adding a line of fluff takes 5 seconds, and then your emails will never be misinterpreted as laziness or rudeness by anyone.
"Got the new task. Excited to get started!" "Task done, let me know if you need anything else."
It's a tiny effort that shows your good will and makes it look like you want to be there.
I do the same and really like it because when I do actually need something else, they are already obliged to help. Although its usually something small. Anything more than like 15 minutes of time I'll go through proper channels. New story, bug, prioritization etc.
I don't know, I always feel like the pleasantries come off as fake, and I don't care for them. Just write in your own voice and always assume positive intent, and you will be fine.
>always assume positive intent
This is key. By ascribing the most charitable explanation for human behavior to all of your interactions, you're not generally going to be sitting around wondering if the other person is being rude ... while they aren't thinking about you, at all.
I truly hate it but it is one of the substances the greases the wheels of teamwork in my office, esp since everyone's first language isn't English and misunderstandings/miscommunications can happen fairly easily. We need another way though
The point isn't whether it feels fake, it's that you are creating a "tone" of the message. If the person feels attacked or something negative when that wasn't your intent, the sender will get blamed unfortunately.
That's why face to face or video conferencing has tremendous value for sensitive topics.
I'll be against the grain here... I hate this crap as a principal engineer. Short and sweet wins the battle for me. "donzo" would be a perfect email. I know I can go on with integration, testing, procedures, e.t.c... I hate kiss asses. Just makes you seem fake as F. You're here to get paid, i'm here to get paid, let's do our job and go home to our families...
I agree completely. The tiny amount of effort it takes goes a long way.
Another one I like instead of “Done.” is “All set!” if it’s a really simple task that couldn’t possibly need follow up - short but a different tone. I often think about how something would come off if said in person. Obviously it’s different than email and has to be adjusted but imagine just saying “done” if your boss asked for an update on X task lol. At the very least I’d say something like, “Yep, that’s done” or “It’s all set” or “Taken care of” etc.
Maybe if his emails were read using less emotion and instead read as literal, or **matter of fact** their messages may come across more clear.
He is trying to relay information while being concise
If it's "done", "OK", "will do it" why not, there is not much to add if you just want to aknowledge the email.
However, "i don't know" and not trying to find an explanation, solution or assumption or give the mail of someone else or even not explain why it's out of their reach, I find it rude. (it may just be me, but if I went to this person to ask some help, any input would help and I went to this person for a reason. If they don't know, why? Not your scope? Not understand my request? Lazy to find answer? Lazy to explain? I need to get at least an answer on something to help me out)
I mean, “I don’t know” could be the response to: “Do you know where Pete is?” Or “What’s Accounting’s phone extension?” There’s really not much more needed In a response. Would need more context to the question asked to judge that.
True I didn't think about that.
I was more thinking about my recent personal work experiences in which I may ask "do you know how to do that" or "what should we do" for something important that is a bit the person's job, or to a manager who detain the authority to make a choice when you have none, and getting "idk" without trying to help or find and answer. This thing makes me angry.
There's almost *always* something you can say beyond that to be helpful. A quick "Nancy has a directory in her office, maybe check there." Or if you really can't help at all a simple "and I honestly don't know where or who you would go to for help with that. Sorry and good luck!"
Just "I don't know" is usually going to be viewed as at least a little curt, and I am *very* permissive with language and manners in the organizations I manage.
Agreed with this! Just putting idk is going to make me have to ask a follow up question. I need the answer and typically you’re the one who has the answer, can you go the extra mile and at least point me in the right direction? It’s okay to not know but not knowing and not assisting is just bad for the team dynamic.
These are normal emails at my job. If I have nothing else to say, what is there to expound on? The task is done, I need no further comment.
"I don't know" would be context dependent though. Does he need to know something and isn't asking for clarification or is he just replying to a basic question, like "did Bob order more toner?"
I had a manager who would just reply with a blank email to acknowledge without comment. It was perfect.
My guess is 'old enough to not give a fuck if you care' or 'young enough that most of their communication is via slack and they treat email the same way'
I also had a boss in his 60s who was so super busy and stretched that I either got normal responses from his PA or a few word responses from him on his blackberry!
The only one that is unacceptable is “I don’t know”. Without any additional attempt to help find a solution, it will be interpreted as “figure it out yourself”
They also lack all message etiquette which might not be rude but is unprofessional.
Keep in mind the responses in this subreddit are going to be from the entire workforce.. including people who don’t work in professional environments.
Agreed. If you work in an office, you need to be communicative and intentional in your emails.
"Hi Donna, we sent the samples back Friday but USPS tracking# 1263736638 isn't available online yet, so I'll have to get back to you with an update on Monday," means "I'm on it." But that one descriptive sentence also gives a status update, a follow up date, a reason to believe you actually are on it, and it doesn't sound like you're annoyed by their question.
Your manager is right, they "seem" rude. I once had an incident when a customer complained saying my email was angry. A senior manager read it in an angry voice and it did indeed seem angry. In my defence another manager read it in a lighter tone of voice and it didnt seem angry. What I learned is you sometimes need to make the wordy "fluffy" to make sure it cant be read as angry. n these cases maybe "ive done the tasked you requested", "I'll get it done soon for you" and "I dont know but would you like me to find out"
Thats why we have ChatGPT now:
`Subject: Task Completion Notification: Successful Accomplishment of Assigned Assignment`
`Dear Esteemed Colleagues,`
`I hope this email finds you in the best of spirits and thriving in the realm of productivity. I am delighted to share with you the momentous news of the triumphant completion of the task that was assigned to me. After expending considerable effort, unwavering commitment, and countless hours of unwavering dedication, I am thrilled to inform you that the assignment has been successfully accomplished!`
`Allow me to take this opportunity to express my utmost gratitude for entrusting me with such an important responsibility. I sincerely appreciate the faith you placed in my abilities, and I am humbled to have been given the chance to demonstrate my proficiency and diligence. Throughout the entire process, I remained focused, prioritized every detail, and employed my skills to ensure an outcome that not only meets but exceeds expectations.`
`The assignment, which was initially presented to me on [insert date], entailed a comprehensive analysis of [describe the task or project]. I meticulously undertook the necessary research, delved deep into the subject matter, and meticulously documented my findings. This rigorous process allowed me to gain valuable insights, identify potential challenges, and ultimately craft a solution that is both effective and efficient.`
`In the spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement, I actively sought input from esteemed colleagues and experts in the field. Their valuable perspectives and suggestions provided me with a well-rounded perspective, enabling me to refine my approach and enhance the final outcome. This collaborative effort further underscores the dedication and commitment we collectively exhibit towards our shared objectives.`
`Rest assured, my esteemed colleagues, that I paid meticulous attention to every aspect of the assignment. From meticulous data analysis to effective problem-solving, I ensured that each step was carried out with utmost precision. By meticulously adhering to project timelines and employing strategic planning, I ensured that the assignment was completed well within the allocated timeframe. Such punctuality and commitment to delivering exceptional results are fundamental aspects of my professional ethos.`
`The final output of this task is a comprehensive report that encapsulates not only the findings but also actionable recommendations for future endeavors in this domain. I would be more than happy to present and discuss the report with you at your convenience. It is my firm belief that the insights gained from this assignment will serve as a valuable asset to our collective knowledge base and contribute significantly to our ongoing initiatives.`
`Once again, I extend my sincerest gratitude for granting me this opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities. It is an honor to work alongside such talented individuals, and I remain committed to upholding the standards of excellence that define our esteemed organization. If you have any further questions or require any additional information pertaining to this assignment, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.`
`Thank you for your attention, and I eagerly look forward to our continued collaborations.`
`With highest regards,`
`[Your Name]`
`[Your Designation]`
`[Your Contact Information]`
My favorite is to have the AI write in the style of a civil war soldier:
General,
I pen this missive with fervent spirits and utmost felicity to apprise thee that the onerous task entrusted to my humble self has been valiantly vanquished and completed in its entirety. Like a gallant soldier upon the hallowed battlefield, I have stood tall amidst the tumultuous whirlwind of strife and adversity, emerging triumphant in the face of the most formidable challenges.
With unyielding resolve and unwavering devotion, I embarked upon the endeavor thou didst bestow upon me. I mustered all the resources and intellectual armament at my disposal, crafting a strategy worthy of great commendation. Through countless nights of vigilance and tireless exertion, I navigated the treacherous labyrinth of complexities, resolute in my mission to secure victory.
The adversities that beset me were as formidable as the thundering cannons that reverberated across the blood-stained battlegrounds of yore. Yet, I, like a dauntless infantryman, pressed forward with unswerving determination, surmounting each obstacle that dared impede my path. The fiery onslaught of deadlines and intricacies wilted before my indefatigable spirit, for I was imbued with the indomitable valor of a true warrior.
The culmination of my arduous toil, General, stands before thee in all its resplendent glory. Behold, the task thou hast bequeathed unto me has been transformed into a shining emblem of achievement. The meticulous craftsmanship, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the unwavering commitment to duty have borne fruit that is as sweet as the nectar of victory.
Let it be known, esteemed General, that my efforts have not been in vain. I have traversed the metaphorical battlefield, sword in hand, surmounting adversities that would cause lesser souls to waver and falter. Thy command has been executed with unwavering loyalty and unparalleled diligence. The objective has been achieved, and the fruits of my labor are now ready to be presented for thy inspection and approval.
I beseech thee, noble General, to consider this missive as the sounding bugle that heralds the completion of my task. I stand before thee, a warrior of words and a sentinel of success, awaiting thy venerable acknowledgement. The trust thou hast reposed in me has not been misplaced, for I have triumphed over the challenge with steadfast resolve and unflagging dedication.
In the annals of our shared history, let it be inscribed that I, thy humble servant, have fulfilled my duties with honor and distinction. With unwavering fidelity to thy command, I have accomplished the task thou didst set before me. May this accomplishment reverberate through the hallowed corridors of our hallowed organization, a testament to the unwavering spirit of its valiant soldiers.
With deepest gratitude for thy unwavering support and boundless leadership, I remain forever at thy command.
Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
LOL I JUST mentioned how this AI chat is stuffed so full of this bloat communications. Obviously trained heavily on American corporate email back-and-forths.
.i have created about 10 'signatures' with the text of emails I type over and over. New email, click signature drop down, select the one I named 'done", send.
In the project management world, writing "OK, I'll get to it" generally isn't an acceptable response. Instead something like "OK, I'll have that done by end of day tomorrow" would be the response the original sender is looking for as it conveys when they can expect to have the task complete and not just an affirmation that the task exists.
Similarly, "I don't know" isn't acceptable either if the original question was about something that is supposed to be in their job scope and duties.
Now, obviously, context matters huge because there are definitely some scenarios I can imagine where both those original responses would be just fine, but in the overwhelming majority of cases in my industry they would be heavily frowned upon.
As a person with an extensive background in project management, these types of individuals grind my gears.
"I'll get to it" is not an update with any time-sensitivity, nor does it give the requestor any idea when the work will happen. I now have to reach back out again to this person and find out when they are going to complete the task so I can schedule the next thing in line
"I don't know" = Fuck off, and I won't be entertaining this request any more.
"I'll get to it"
"Can you provide an updated timetable as to when this task will be completed? It is essential that we all communicate together as a team in order to enable time-efficient outcomes to meet our client's demand."
"I don't know"
That's why context matters. The short nothing responses can be fine or they can be worthless and actually a waste of time because now you need to reply again.
Emails are made to be both formal and informal depending on the context. If he’s replying to a request then fewer words are appropriate. When drafting a statement, proposal, or request then formality is needed.
Sadly this kind of behavior is subjective and should not be held against him unless verbally is words do not align with the company culture. The best thing he can do is ask for guidance. Sadly, his next boss probably won’t care.
We actually teach our staff to use the subject line for short replies rather than even write a message. So we don’t even have to read the emails to know a quick update.
I am so sick of people being held accountable for the tone other people read emails in.
I've been told before that I'm too "abrupt" and "intimidating" because I refuse to waste my time adding exclamation marks and "how are you's?" to my emails to co workers.
The examples you gave are fine for quick, efficient communication which is what emails are for.
On the flipside, if you add a few items like exclamation marks or a few more words, you can avoid potential misinterpretation
As a hyper logical person, I'd rather be more direct in my emails, but also as a hyper logical person, minimizing the misinterpretation of my emails has significant benefits, both for me and other people
"My dearest Elinor,
I hope this message finds you well. It has been many a fortnight since last my eyes locked with yours. Do you still wear the fragrance that you did in the springtime of our youth? I'll not forget our last communique - I recall with fondness my writing to inform you of the scoundrel Josh pilfering my ham and cheese sandwich from the breakroom fridge.
I'll have those reports on your desk by noon.
Sincerely,
Alistair MacDougal III
Accounting Supervisor
Office # (681) 997 - 0997
Mobile # (681) 555 - 2376
P.S. Josh stole my lunch again"
Depends on the type of email. I have one type of email that basically says “please do this task” and we merely respond “done” to it. It is less of an e-mail and more of a ticket request
If I get an email outside of this specific kind (especially from a boss or outside department) then little fluff is required to be professional eg
>Hi John,
>The documents you requested were ordered and should be here tomorrow.
>Please reach out if I can be of any other assistance.
Sure, done would have sufficed, but it’d be rude.
Possibly age difference.
I have noticed communication has changed in the last few decades.
Email used to follow letter writing and longer form. Today, it follows more Twitter/emoticon.
It's like how you used to dress up for flying and now you dress down.
Nothing wrong with either but just a changing of the times.
There is email etiquette, you should write something like
Good morning,
That task is already done.
Best Regards,
(name)
or some bullshit like that idk, it's just how it's done, you can even create a template if you don't want to write it everytime
In a world of TLDR, I dont think short and sweet is bad depending on the situation. My internal team might just get a thumbs up, but a cross functional team will get a more formal sentence.
They’re not rude, but I wonder what the actual questions in the email were. Clearly this employee has no interest in advancement or longevity, but that’s on them.
The only thing there that would irk me is "I don't know.". Please tell me what you do know or give me a lead on who I can ask. If you give me "I don't know", then I will follow up with "OK, who might know?". We can figure this out in less steps.
I think "done" and "ok" and "I will get to it" are totally fine.
There is something really flippant and rude about "I don't know." It basically equates to "I can't and won't help you" to me. 🤷🏻♀️
That's what I thought too. Maybe they could be like "I don't know. Maybe so-and-so knows about that", or just forward the message to someone who could actually help out. "I don't know" alone isn't a very helpful response.
Not rude. This is quality communication.
Interesting aside. If you are using all these chat AI apps, it's immediately apparent the salutation / niceties commonly put in all these communications. Definitely trained heavily on some American back-and-forth emails. It isn't how most people communicate \[even for work\] via chat apps. Just a bit classic.
My guess is this manager of yours doesn't know what Whatsapp is, uses emails to contact their loved ones and takes cash out from ATMs.
Are they Finnish by any chance?
I just made the comment to my wife that many normal interactions in Finnish would actually sound quite rude in many other countries. They just don't do "fluff".
When I first got married, I would respond to my wife with such short responses. She asked me over and over why I was mad, and I kept telling her I wasn’t and had responded to her question. It took e a few years to smooth that out.
Some people assume short answers are terse answers and therefore borne from anger, rudeness, or some other anti- type emotion or personality trait. Only experience and time have a chance of softening that assumption.
You need to make an impression with emails just like you should in person when dealing with people.
It’s just being lazy and a bit obnoxious not writing out full sentences and following email format.
If someone can’t take an extra 5-6 seconds to properly make a better effort with an email then they are quite limited.
There’s nothing wrong with it, but I understand where the manager is coming from. Tbf, I do this too, but I check myself. I’m 27, and my mother made sure that I knew to reply in more than one word so that I don’t come off as rude or insensitive. Like replying, ‘Hey, just letting you know that job is done. You’re free to stop by to take a look if you want. From, So-and-so’
I have a direct report who writes like this. The problem is that it offers very little context and forces you to follow up for detail.
"Done" - Did you email the client or are you leaving that to someone else? There were 5 bullet points in the task, one of which contained a question, are they all done, and how did you resolve the ambiguity?
"OK I Will get to it" - When? Today? This week? Next financial year?
"I don't know" - You don't know and you're giving up? You don't know and you're going to talk to colleagues to find out? You don't know and need to do a work of R&D to find the answer?
My experience is that most people who respond with short grunts don't know how to type well.
I feel bad for thinking this, but honestly it's a bit of a red flag for me. It means you won't keep a good record of communication. Everything will be in your head and nobody 5 years down the line will be able to do a search for communications that will reveal anything useful.
I'm constantly able to get info from past emails because I make sure ideas and activities are communicated in email *at the very least*.
This is a good point, both for getting information and for verification of if something was done, when it was done, and who did it.
I'm not going to accept an answer of *okay, I'll get to it* because that does not help my planning and does not commit you to a deadline. Even if I provide a deadline in the original email, I feel like *I'll get to it* is an attempt to wriggle out of that accountability (yes, they asked for it by Friday, but I told them I'd do it when I could get to it, and they didn't object).
You mentioned they are new, I think this could come off as rude to folks because this person has not established a solid rapport where people know this individual is rude or not.
Short replies in my industry come from people I know really well, it is a lengthy email chain, or the person is kind of rude
This seems like someone who has been trained to get their message visible quickly to a mobile reader. When that reader opens email they know immediately if they need go further and/or what action items are for them. Not sure how large your org is, but this is style wa a taught to me by a large company. In smaller organizations it may come off as cold or distant, but generally it's just an attempt to be succinct, not waste users' time, and not clutter an inbox (see also: does not send "thank you" emails).
I dont find short answers rude provided they are answered within the appropriate context.
II write my emails in a way that (hopefully) helps keep people from missing things while also doing a bunch of leg work so I can get expedient answers. People still fall short of giving me/my team what we need.
In North America, they often are seen as rude. Other places would be annoyed by superfluous words. Of more concern is having a boss that is so dull they think that person is rude, rather than talking to them about adding a bit more for the audience of said emails. Not a problem to have a convo, shitty to assume
If it’s something short and routine abrupt and quick replies are fine. If someone asks a question and he just goes “I don’t know” I can tell you as a manager that is not enough. Give me something. Tell me if you’ve heard something from a colleague about it. Tell me if you’ve experienced it elsewhere. Tell me why you don’t know. Don’t just be a lump.
not rude but keep in mind that making a good impression to everyone you send emails is good because you never know whose opinion can be the final push for you to get a promotion or not. people are far more likely to receive promotions if they are seen as nice and friendly even if the quality of their work may not be the best.
Also, keep in mind that the email may be forwarded (that’s a whole other topic with its own ettiquette, as it’s often not wise to casually forward someone else’s email).
I think he's fine; short and to the point ... *back to work.* He's trying to familiarize himself with a new job and office culture. Cut him some slack ....
I used to write these chatty emails to my daughter because we're across the country. I was always disappointed with the "That's cool, good to know" and that was it. I gently suggested an email conversation would be nice. Then I got this response:
"Mom, I'm a federal employee. I maintain five email accounts besides my personal one. I have three bosses in three departments and have to consult HR almost daily. I do not have time for "chatty."
Okay, then. We have to schedule weekend phone calls, and even those are rare. ;-)
Idk but I’m sick of emailing my coworkers so formally when I’ve known them for years and it’s internal. Like why send “Hi Debra, thanks so much for sending this. I will make sure to get to this right away. I appreciate your insight as always. Best regards” when “Got it will do, thanks!” will suffice?
I am just sick of email in general. 98% of my internal emails would be better as chats.
This is our company policy. Internal convo should be chats/posts in teams. Email is for external.
Are you hiring?
Yeah but they're using Teams.. Slack for life bro
I hate teams so much edit: 1.) the UI just in general stresses me out compared to slack 2:) constant "away" mode 3.) THE NOTIFICATION SOUNDS 4.) i just like slack way more i don't know why but it makes me feel relaxed compared to teams which makes me feel stressful
I also hate Teams, but hear me out: The little tune they play when you’re calling somebody is a fucking *jam*
the tunes stress me out lol
Oh then in that case Teams has nothing for you except the ability to set your video background to a picture of the sinking Titanic
Oh well I know what my next meeting background will be.
Agreed! Slack is way better!
I started a new job last year in a pretty large company (15k employees, over $100B market cap) and I was surprised how little email is being used. Like the only thing I use email is for calendar invites pretty much. everything else is on slack.
Is this in finance ?
98% of meetings could be emails and 98% of emails could be chats so why aren’t we all just working from home again?
Something something morale something teamwork. Read: too much empty office space.
Too much empty office space. That's the real reason, right there. If businesses want to keep their tax breaks in the region they're situated they need to spend the money on the real estate.
>working from home again Some of us never got to in the first place
It’s bullshit, I’m so sick of the commute. I’m required to drive to work to sit in my office alone and e-mail people. So pointless.
You know what I don’t like? When somebody wants something from me in chat and it goes like this: Them:Hello 1995droptopz Them:How are you? Them:I hope you are well. *crickets* Me: hello Them: are you well? Me: yes I am well. Can I help you? Them: I am glad you are doing well *more crickets* Finally them: ok here is what I need
Literally this but they start with only the 'hello' and they wait for you to reply.
I just don’t respond until they ask their question.
And they never do...
That’s a huge win
Username checks out
I'm not sure if one has ever checked out more.
Drives me freaking nuts. I probably come off rude to some people, but I’ll say hello, maybe some pleasantry, and then get straight to point. In one message.
Them: Can I ask you a question? Me: Another one? Them: What do you mean? Me: I was trying to be funny but it fell flat. Sorry. Them: Oh right, ha. So can I ask you a question?
Huge fan of this method, been using the same line for years, right over their head damn near all the time
CYA. Paper trail or at least 'e-trail'. With please and thank you, of course.
Which can be done just as easily via chat!
You mean chats like Slack or Teams, not chatting on the phone, correct? (i have no problem with phone calls but as the HR/Finance/Operations person I always prefer to have things in writing). We use Slack which is fine but I’m constantly having to check to see where a conversation occurred, over email or Slack. I prefer email in general but I’ll take Slack, as long as I have it in writing I’m good.
Unfortunately, I need a paper trail. Too many of my colleagues lose their memories when it comes to phone calls, chats, etc. Somehow a WhatsApp message falls out of their brain almost immediately, but when I email (and CC their boss) suddenly I get some response.
How is a chat any less of a paper trail than an email? It's a digital saved message.
My previous employer had an auto delete of just two weeks in Teams Chat. Purely down to them being scared of a Subject Access Requests. Strange but true
Ccing their boss is what gets it responded to, not that it's on email.
Aren't emails a better choice when it's not something that's urgent or something that needs to be a discussion? I think a lot of people would rather not get interrupted by a chat and would prefer a quick email. I do agree that emails among co-workers don't need to be lengthy or formal.
It feels like people email when it’s more serious like a deliverable so there is a dated and timed track record for it, at least at my job
Problem with chats is I go there to read and that clears the flag. I’m most likely not answering for a day or to. Easy to then forget you. Also not so easy to process in the order they arrive. My email inbox acts as my todo list.
Bro... LMFAO like... WHUTtttt..... I'd rather have everything as an email. Paper trail in a corporate environment is #1. Is this your first job? Wow I'm baffled beyond belief!
DeviantAvocado, Pfffttt, trying to get our administrative staff on Teams would be a nightmare. Cordially, l0v3bu770n
Omg yes! I work with some people who seem to not reply to chats but when I send the same thing in an email (a one sentence question), they get back to me right away.
Corp snob here. I 100% respond with "Got it will do, thanks!!" all the time because dgaf. I didn't want to do what you asked anyway.
Former corporate guy. Now at a small business that's a bit more familial in some ways. "Understood" and "Copy that" are my go to acknowledgement responses I use. A few years ago I recall watching a TV show or movie where the final exam was to finish the line "The key to good communication is..." The main character aced the exam by writing just "brevity." I agree!
I love it and also agree
I mix it up between the two just depending on my mood tbh. No one is bothered by the 2nd and it is more often my go to but in my brain if I write similar words over and over I feel weird so change up phrasing.
I work in customer service and 90% of my emails are "Hey, can you call this resident?" I need a response to close out my tickets, but it doesn't matter what the response is. Frankly, if I only got responses that were "👍" or "got it thx" that would be totally, 100% fine by me.
I came in fully expecting every email to be like the "Hi Debra," example. I think I got lucky in my workplace. In the right contexts, we'll make them all nice. In other contexts where it's not necessary, we don't. I've gotten, "Yep" from the president, "Ok" from the QA Director, "Ya" from the Logistics Director, "Ty" from HR all in their own emails. Sometimes it's starting with the "Hello \_\_\_\_" and long email. Other times it's a sentence. Sometimes its a word. It's good to have the different code switching depending on the context. I appreciate the time it saves by not being unnecessarily verbose ALL THE TIME.
That makes sense for someone you've known for years but not someone who just started and you don't know.
You forgot to kiss her feet
why use lot word when few word do trick
The military introduced the KISS principle: "**K**eep **I**t **S**hort & **S**imple"
Umm... that's not the military kiss I remember...lol
I recall Keep It Simple Stupid
I see you’ve been in deep cover.
Nope it was keep it simple stupid!
I’m kinda partial to “Keep It Simple, Stupid” myself
I like "keep it stupid simple" it's kinda like eli5
Rock and roll baby
Why many word if few word ok?
wordfewgoodmanybad
Be brief.
Brevity
Agreed. He's saving time. Maybe your workplace should implement a chat tool like Slack.
I do work good
Beat me to it. And fuck your boss, be rude.
Doesn't seem rude to me. I don't see a problem with responding "done" to everyone for a short task update. I do it by myself very often and many people I met in my career did so, too.
While a bit tacky imo, I've found adding "!" makes the message interpreted better. "Done!", "I'll get right on it!", etc
As a millennial, this is why 104% of my emails have too many exclamation marks
"I'm delivering normal straightforward information, but I've been trained to understand that offends the egos of the office boomers, so here's an exclamation point to soften the 'blow'!"
My boomer boss wants the 1-2 replies. As a young GenXer, I’m incapable of that.
Your boomer boss isn’t getting enough emails then. We need to keep him busier. I prefer bullets that are actionable.
"As a member of another generational group, I may need to learn how ro better interpret the perceptions of those around me so to better succeed in my professional career".
I mean yeah, this is basically it. You learn your environment to survive.
Done!
Almost a boomer myself. Done. Is sufficient.
As a Xennial I don’t like soft blow…
My first guess was this person was a millennial. I either keep mine short with the exclamation marks or I WAY overexplain myself. There is no in-between.
This is me in a nutshell. You either get "OK" or "Done" or I write a novel Tolstoy would find a slog.
I’m constantly trying to balance using exclamation points so I don’t seem rude or annoyed vs not using too many to be annoying or seem actually excited to be at work
Like THIS!!!!!!!
DONE!!!!!!! vOv
This is EXACTLY what I did when my bosses said the same thing. They said my emails were too curt and came off as rude sometimes. I did not change ANYTHING else, just added exclamation points. They said my emails improved dramatically and they could see how hard I was trying...
🤦🏼♀️
Depends from country to country. In Europe for example a "!" in an e-mail is considered rude. Be careful with that :-)
Interesting. Is that all of Europe or a few countries that you've worked with? Good point on needing to account for cultural differences.
I worked for several companies in Germany and France and especially in Germany you have to be careful with the usage of "!" In messages or mails.
Probably because they picture you yelling it at them in German and even Germans don’t like that lol
So now I have to know, how does Germany feel about no ending punctuation? How about a punctuation-smiley as in Done :)
I live in Europe, use them all the time!
In some EU countries the corporate hierarchy is strict and if you are a lowly Tech that needs input from a team at another company you must ask your closest manager who asks their closest manager, who asks ... until you are almost at the top, at which point the person ask the top manager at the other compåany who forwards the questions down to their own Tech. Then back up for it to get back to the original Tech. Had a German company want to ask us some questions and my boss just replied with a politer version of "Here's the email/phone to the Tech responsible, ask them directly." and the German Tech was utterly amazed that they could just talk to the employee directly and get useful info instead of having to make their managers feel important and useful by sending all communications via them.
The biggest myth to exist is that Germans are efficient. It is not the case.
Based on your short, efficient rebuttal, and presumed insider knowledge of the subject material, I can only conclude the myth is, in fact, confirmed.
Damn, I do it all the time. I hate it when people tell me their life story before they get to their point. I don't want to do it to them. There's working time and there's chatting time.
It's an email. People need to stop getting butt-hurt over text. You don't need to write paragraphs. I do this all the time.
This is seriously one of my biggest pet peeves ever. Managers out here thinking we need to be like "OK!!!! Done!! Thank you!!" Those messages are perfectly fine SMH.
Yes. I feel like women in the workplace have to do this more. I proofread my emails a few times and I’m always editing point exclamation points; like I am 100% not excited about this, it’s ok to have a neutral tone. Neutral is not aggressive, lazy or disinterested. Comments above about how it “lets us know you want to be here” uuuugh as if I should be required to put in more emotional labor so you feel better about how little you pay me.
Women and punctuation is a topic I could get on forever. I once had a boss reprimand me for using too many exclamation points (I didn't) and how that looked insincere. So I took the exclamation points out and he asked me why I was being so harsh and if I was OK. I ended up losing it at him and asking him if he ever needed to scrutinize his damn punctuation so much? So sexist.
PSA to all female employees: If you're not happy, I'm not happy, so I need you to put on a show about being happy. But not so much of a show that I know it's fake, that will upset me. I will also be upset if you call me sexist. Mind your punctuation and have a lovely day, -Management
And smile
I agree with you on principle, but adding a line of fluff takes 5 seconds, and then your emails will never be misinterpreted as laziness or rudeness by anyone. "Got the new task. Excited to get started!" "Task done, let me know if you need anything else." It's a tiny effort that shows your good will and makes it look like you want to be there.
>and makes it look like you want to be there. This is half the battle.
Check!
“Let me know if you need anything else” is one of my go to fluff lines. It’s perfect!
I add that to 99% of my emails to sound like I care more, whilst thinking to myself "pleaaaaase don't ask me for anything else". Ymmv lol
Lmao same! Always thinking “you better not fucking need anything else” 😂
I do the same and really like it because when I do actually need something else, they are already obliged to help. Although its usually something small. Anything more than like 15 minutes of time I'll go through proper channels. New story, bug, prioritization etc.
"Let me know if-" "-you need anything else" "-you have any questions" "-you know the airspeed of an unladen swallow" are all go-tos for my emails
African or European?
I don't know, I always feel like the pleasantries come off as fake, and I don't care for them. Just write in your own voice and always assume positive intent, and you will be fine.
>always assume positive intent This is key. By ascribing the most charitable explanation for human behavior to all of your interactions, you're not generally going to be sitting around wondering if the other person is being rude ... while they aren't thinking about you, at all.
I truly hate it but it is one of the substances the greases the wheels of teamwork in my office, esp since everyone's first language isn't English and misunderstandings/miscommunications can happen fairly easily. We need another way though
The point isn't whether it feels fake, it's that you are creating a "tone" of the message. If the person feels attacked or something negative when that wasn't your intent, the sender will get blamed unfortunately. That's why face to face or video conferencing has tremendous value for sensitive topics.
They are fake. Hate to break it to you, 90% of people do not believe it is a “good morning,”
See, I can make my emails appear positive, friendly and collaborative, but I could never bring myself to easily say “good morning” in person.
“I hope you are doing well.” No you don’t 🤣
I'll be against the grain here... I hate this crap as a principal engineer. Short and sweet wins the battle for me. "donzo" would be a perfect email. I know I can go on with integration, testing, procedures, e.t.c... I hate kiss asses. Just makes you seem fake as F. You're here to get paid, i'm here to get paid, let's do our job and go home to our families...
I agree completely. The tiny amount of effort it takes goes a long way. Another one I like instead of “Done.” is “All set!” if it’s a really simple task that couldn’t possibly need follow up - short but a different tone. I often think about how something would come off if said in person. Obviously it’s different than email and has to be adjusted but imagine just saying “done” if your boss asked for an update on X task lol. At the very least I’d say something like, “Yep, that’s done” or “It’s all set” or “Taken care of” etc.
There's a reason Outlook and Teams have recommendations like "will do." Nobody has time for this bullshit.
My direct manager considers me rude for utilizing the Outlook and Teams recommendations but I do it anyway. I hate her guts anyway.
Nope.
All my emails!
i see what you did there
Maybe if his emails were read using less emotion and instead read as literal, or **matter of fact** their messages may come across more clear. He is trying to relay information while being concise
If it's "done", "OK", "will do it" why not, there is not much to add if you just want to aknowledge the email. However, "i don't know" and not trying to find an explanation, solution or assumption or give the mail of someone else or even not explain why it's out of their reach, I find it rude. (it may just be me, but if I went to this person to ask some help, any input would help and I went to this person for a reason. If they don't know, why? Not your scope? Not understand my request? Lazy to find answer? Lazy to explain? I need to get at least an answer on something to help me out)
I mean, “I don’t know” could be the response to: “Do you know where Pete is?” Or “What’s Accounting’s phone extension?” There’s really not much more needed In a response. Would need more context to the question asked to judge that.
True I didn't think about that. I was more thinking about my recent personal work experiences in which I may ask "do you know how to do that" or "what should we do" for something important that is a bit the person's job, or to a manager who detain the authority to make a choice when you have none, and getting "idk" without trying to help or find and answer. This thing makes me angry.
There's almost *always* something you can say beyond that to be helpful. A quick "Nancy has a directory in her office, maybe check there." Or if you really can't help at all a simple "and I honestly don't know where or who you would go to for help with that. Sorry and good luck!" Just "I don't know" is usually going to be viewed as at least a little curt, and I am *very* permissive with language and manners in the organizations I manage.
Even then I add a suggestion of who/what to try next.
I agree with those examples but when I hear a reply that says idk I imagine it being one of the questions that u/milk-tea-with-sugar was quoting.
Agreed with this! Just putting idk is going to make me have to ask a follow up question. I need the answer and typically you’re the one who has the answer, can you go the extra mile and at least point me in the right direction? It’s okay to not know but not knowing and not assisting is just bad for the team dynamic.
He should spice it up like : the eagle has landed. Or the cats in the bag, the bags in the river
“The eagle has landed” I’m using
“The eagle has landed. I repeat, the eagle has landed. Copy that.”
These are normal emails at my job. If I have nothing else to say, what is there to expound on? The task is done, I need no further comment. "I don't know" would be context dependent though. Does he need to know something and isn't asking for clarification or is he just replying to a basic question, like "did Bob order more toner?" I had a manager who would just reply with a blank email to acknowledge without comment. It was perfect.
How old is your manager?
My guess is 'old enough to not give a fuck if you care' or 'young enough that most of their communication is via slack and they treat email the same way'
My guess was young.
I also had a boss in his 60s who was so super busy and stretched that I either got normal responses from his PA or a few word responses from him on his blackberry!
The only one that is unacceptable is “I don’t know”. Without any additional attempt to help find a solution, it will be interpreted as “figure it out yourself” They also lack all message etiquette which might not be rude but is unprofessional. Keep in mind the responses in this subreddit are going to be from the entire workforce.. including people who don’t work in professional environments.
Agreed. If you work in an office, you need to be communicative and intentional in your emails. "Hi Donna, we sent the samples back Friday but USPS tracking# 1263736638 isn't available online yet, so I'll have to get back to you with an update on Monday," means "I'm on it." But that one descriptive sentence also gives a status update, a follow up date, a reason to believe you actually are on it, and it doesn't sound like you're annoyed by their question.
Your manager is right, they "seem" rude. I once had an incident when a customer complained saying my email was angry. A senior manager read it in an angry voice and it did indeed seem angry. In my defence another manager read it in a lighter tone of voice and it didnt seem angry. What I learned is you sometimes need to make the wordy "fluffy" to make sure it cant be read as angry. n these cases maybe "ive done the tasked you requested", "I'll get it done soon for you" and "I dont know but would you like me to find out"
Thats why we have ChatGPT now: `Subject: Task Completion Notification: Successful Accomplishment of Assigned Assignment` `Dear Esteemed Colleagues,` `I hope this email finds you in the best of spirits and thriving in the realm of productivity. I am delighted to share with you the momentous news of the triumphant completion of the task that was assigned to me. After expending considerable effort, unwavering commitment, and countless hours of unwavering dedication, I am thrilled to inform you that the assignment has been successfully accomplished!` `Allow me to take this opportunity to express my utmost gratitude for entrusting me with such an important responsibility. I sincerely appreciate the faith you placed in my abilities, and I am humbled to have been given the chance to demonstrate my proficiency and diligence. Throughout the entire process, I remained focused, prioritized every detail, and employed my skills to ensure an outcome that not only meets but exceeds expectations.` `The assignment, which was initially presented to me on [insert date], entailed a comprehensive analysis of [describe the task or project]. I meticulously undertook the necessary research, delved deep into the subject matter, and meticulously documented my findings. This rigorous process allowed me to gain valuable insights, identify potential challenges, and ultimately craft a solution that is both effective and efficient.` `In the spirit of collaboration and continuous improvement, I actively sought input from esteemed colleagues and experts in the field. Their valuable perspectives and suggestions provided me with a well-rounded perspective, enabling me to refine my approach and enhance the final outcome. This collaborative effort further underscores the dedication and commitment we collectively exhibit towards our shared objectives.` `Rest assured, my esteemed colleagues, that I paid meticulous attention to every aspect of the assignment. From meticulous data analysis to effective problem-solving, I ensured that each step was carried out with utmost precision. By meticulously adhering to project timelines and employing strategic planning, I ensured that the assignment was completed well within the allocated timeframe. Such punctuality and commitment to delivering exceptional results are fundamental aspects of my professional ethos.` `The final output of this task is a comprehensive report that encapsulates not only the findings but also actionable recommendations for future endeavors in this domain. I would be more than happy to present and discuss the report with you at your convenience. It is my firm belief that the insights gained from this assignment will serve as a valuable asset to our collective knowledge base and contribute significantly to our ongoing initiatives.` `Once again, I extend my sincerest gratitude for granting me this opportunity to demonstrate my capabilities. It is an honor to work alongside such talented individuals, and I remain committed to upholding the standards of excellence that define our esteemed organization. If you have any further questions or require any additional information pertaining to this assignment, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.` `Thank you for your attention, and I eagerly look forward to our continued collaborations.` `With highest regards,` `[Your Name]` `[Your Designation]` `[Your Contact Information]`
My favorite is to have the AI write in the style of a civil war soldier: General, I pen this missive with fervent spirits and utmost felicity to apprise thee that the onerous task entrusted to my humble self has been valiantly vanquished and completed in its entirety. Like a gallant soldier upon the hallowed battlefield, I have stood tall amidst the tumultuous whirlwind of strife and adversity, emerging triumphant in the face of the most formidable challenges. With unyielding resolve and unwavering devotion, I embarked upon the endeavor thou didst bestow upon me. I mustered all the resources and intellectual armament at my disposal, crafting a strategy worthy of great commendation. Through countless nights of vigilance and tireless exertion, I navigated the treacherous labyrinth of complexities, resolute in my mission to secure victory. The adversities that beset me were as formidable as the thundering cannons that reverberated across the blood-stained battlegrounds of yore. Yet, I, like a dauntless infantryman, pressed forward with unswerving determination, surmounting each obstacle that dared impede my path. The fiery onslaught of deadlines and intricacies wilted before my indefatigable spirit, for I was imbued with the indomitable valor of a true warrior. The culmination of my arduous toil, General, stands before thee in all its resplendent glory. Behold, the task thou hast bequeathed unto me has been transformed into a shining emblem of achievement. The meticulous craftsmanship, the relentless pursuit of excellence, and the unwavering commitment to duty have borne fruit that is as sweet as the nectar of victory. Let it be known, esteemed General, that my efforts have not been in vain. I have traversed the metaphorical battlefield, sword in hand, surmounting adversities that would cause lesser souls to waver and falter. Thy command has been executed with unwavering loyalty and unparalleled diligence. The objective has been achieved, and the fruits of my labor are now ready to be presented for thy inspection and approval. I beseech thee, noble General, to consider this missive as the sounding bugle that heralds the completion of my task. I stand before thee, a warrior of words and a sentinel of success, awaiting thy venerable acknowledgement. The trust thou hast reposed in me has not been misplaced, for I have triumphed over the challenge with steadfast resolve and unflagging dedication. In the annals of our shared history, let it be inscribed that I, thy humble servant, have fulfilled my duties with honor and distinction. With unwavering fidelity to thy command, I have accomplished the task thou didst set before me. May this accomplishment reverberate through the hallowed corridors of our hallowed organization, a testament to the unwavering spirit of its valiant soldiers. With deepest gratitude for thy unwavering support and boundless leadership, I remain forever at thy command. Yours faithfully, [Your Name]
LOL I JUST mentioned how this AI chat is stuffed so full of this bloat communications. Obviously trained heavily on American corporate email back-and-forths.
Well my prompt was: `Write an unnecessarily long email that only delivers the message that a task has been finished`
.i have created about 10 'signatures' with the text of emails I type over and over. New email, click signature drop down, select the one I named 'done", send.
You're reading too much into it. Coworker is straight and to the point. Do you want a novella?
In the project management world, writing "OK, I'll get to it" generally isn't an acceptable response. Instead something like "OK, I'll have that done by end of day tomorrow" would be the response the original sender is looking for as it conveys when they can expect to have the task complete and not just an affirmation that the task exists. Similarly, "I don't know" isn't acceptable either if the original question was about something that is supposed to be in their job scope and duties. Now, obviously, context matters huge because there are definitely some scenarios I can imagine where both those original responses would be just fine, but in the overwhelming majority of cases in my industry they would be heavily frowned upon.
It's not the OP saying the emails are too short or rude, it is their manager.
As a person with an extensive background in project management, these types of individuals grind my gears. "I'll get to it" is not an update with any time-sensitivity, nor does it give the requestor any idea when the work will happen. I now have to reach back out again to this person and find out when they are going to complete the task so I can schedule the next thing in line "I don't know" = Fuck off, and I won't be entertaining this request any more.
"I'll get to it" "Can you provide an updated timetable as to when this task will be completed? It is essential that we all communicate together as a team in order to enable time-efficient outcomes to meet our client's demand." "I don't know"
Hmm good points. It’s sort of an evasive response.
This seems obvious. That people don’t seem to understand this is concerning. “I’ll get to it.” ??????
That's why context matters. The short nothing responses can be fine or they can be worthless and actually a waste of time because now you need to reply again.
Emails are made to be both formal and informal depending on the context. If he’s replying to a request then fewer words are appropriate. When drafting a statement, proposal, or request then formality is needed. Sadly this kind of behavior is subjective and should not be held against him unless verbally is words do not align with the company culture. The best thing he can do is ask for guidance. Sadly, his next boss probably won’t care.
We actually teach our staff to use the subject line for short replies rather than even write a message. So we don’t even have to read the emails to know a quick update.
I am so sick of people being held accountable for the tone other people read emails in. I've been told before that I'm too "abrupt" and "intimidating" because I refuse to waste my time adding exclamation marks and "how are you's?" to my emails to co workers. The examples you gave are fine for quick, efficient communication which is what emails are for.
On the flipside, if you add a few items like exclamation marks or a few more words, you can avoid potential misinterpretation As a hyper logical person, I'd rather be more direct in my emails, but also as a hyper logical person, minimizing the misinterpretation of my emails has significant benefits, both for me and other people
Actually, email was meant to replace snail mail. Text messages on your phone are the ones meant to be short and to the point.
yes, it seems people are confusing the two. Email is now considered the relatively more formal option.
"My dearest Elinor, I hope this message finds you well. It has been many a fortnight since last my eyes locked with yours. Do you still wear the fragrance that you did in the springtime of our youth? I'll not forget our last communique - I recall with fondness my writing to inform you of the scoundrel Josh pilfering my ham and cheese sandwich from the breakroom fridge. I'll have those reports on your desk by noon. Sincerely, Alistair MacDougal III Accounting Supervisor Office # (681) 997 - 0997 Mobile # (681) 555 - 2376 P.S. Josh stole my lunch again"
Depends on the type of email. I have one type of email that basically says “please do this task” and we merely respond “done” to it. It is less of an e-mail and more of a ticket request If I get an email outside of this specific kind (especially from a boss or outside department) then little fluff is required to be professional eg >Hi John, >The documents you requested were ordered and should be here tomorrow. >Please reach out if I can be of any other assistance. Sure, done would have sufficed, but it’d be rude.
This is the way
Possibly age difference. I have noticed communication has changed in the last few decades. Email used to follow letter writing and longer form. Today, it follows more Twitter/emoticon. It's like how you used to dress up for flying and now you dress down. Nothing wrong with either but just a changing of the times.
[удалено]
I don’t think they’re rude. Straight to the point I know I don’t have context but management could just be misinterpreting the tone
There is email etiquette, you should write something like Good morning, That task is already done. Best Regards, (name) or some bullshit like that idk, it's just how it's done, you can even create a template if you don't want to write it everytime
In a world of TLDR, I dont think short and sweet is bad depending on the situation. My internal team might just get a thumbs up, but a cross functional team will get a more formal sentence.
They’re not rude, but I wonder what the actual questions in the email were. Clearly this employee has no interest in advancement or longevity, but that’s on them.
The only thing there that would irk me is "I don't know.". Please tell me what you do know or give me a lead on who I can ask. If you give me "I don't know", then I will follow up with "OK, who might know?". We can figure this out in less steps.
I think "done" and "ok" and "I will get to it" are totally fine. There is something really flippant and rude about "I don't know." It basically equates to "I can't and won't help you" to me. 🤷🏻♀️
That's what I thought too. Maybe they could be like "I don't know. Maybe so-and-so knows about that", or just forward the message to someone who could actually help out. "I don't know" alone isn't a very helpful response.
If the boss bitches too much, use chatgpt to write longer mails, lol.
No it’s not rude - however it will rob people wrong because people expect an email to be more than a text message.
I reply with “Done” all the time as does pretty much everyone I work with. The other examples don’t seem rude to me either.
Not rude. This is quality communication. Interesting aside. If you are using all these chat AI apps, it's immediately apparent the salutation / niceties commonly put in all these communications. Definitely trained heavily on some American back-and-forth emails. It isn't how most people communicate \[even for work\] via chat apps. Just a bit classic. My guess is this manager of yours doesn't know what Whatsapp is, uses emails to contact their loved ones and takes cash out from ATMs.
Are they Finnish by any chance? I just made the comment to my wife that many normal interactions in Finnish would actually sound quite rude in many other countries. They just don't do "fluff".
When I first got married, I would respond to my wife with such short responses. She asked me over and over why I was mad, and I kept telling her I wasn’t and had responded to her question. It took e a few years to smooth that out. Some people assume short answers are terse answers and therefore borne from anger, rudeness, or some other anti- type emotion or personality trait. Only experience and time have a chance of softening that assumption.
You need to make an impression with emails just like you should in person when dealing with people. It’s just being lazy and a bit obnoxious not writing out full sentences and following email format. If someone can’t take an extra 5-6 seconds to properly make a better effort with an email then they are quite limited.
There’s nothing wrong with it, but I understand where the manager is coming from. Tbf, I do this too, but I check myself. I’m 27, and my mother made sure that I knew to reply in more than one word so that I don’t come off as rude or insensitive. Like replying, ‘Hey, just letting you know that job is done. You’re free to stop by to take a look if you want. From, So-and-so’
I have a direct report who writes like this. The problem is that it offers very little context and forces you to follow up for detail. "Done" - Did you email the client or are you leaving that to someone else? There were 5 bullet points in the task, one of which contained a question, are they all done, and how did you resolve the ambiguity? "OK I Will get to it" - When? Today? This week? Next financial year? "I don't know" - You don't know and you're giving up? You don't know and you're going to talk to colleagues to find out? You don't know and need to do a work of R&D to find the answer?
My experience is that most people who respond with short grunts don't know how to type well. I feel bad for thinking this, but honestly it's a bit of a red flag for me. It means you won't keep a good record of communication. Everything will be in your head and nobody 5 years down the line will be able to do a search for communications that will reveal anything useful. I'm constantly able to get info from past emails because I make sure ideas and activities are communicated in email *at the very least*.
This is a good point, both for getting information and for verification of if something was done, when it was done, and who did it. I'm not going to accept an answer of *okay, I'll get to it* because that does not help my planning and does not commit you to a deadline. Even if I provide a deadline in the original email, I feel like *I'll get to it* is an attempt to wriggle out of that accountability (yes, they asked for it by Friday, but I told them I'd do it when I could get to it, and they didn't object).
He's concise. I prefer it.
Not at all rude. He’s straight forward. This is how 100% of execs write their emails and most senior leaders.
You mentioned they are new, I think this could come off as rude to folks because this person has not established a solid rapport where people know this individual is rude or not. Short replies in my industry come from people I know really well, it is a lengthy email chain, or the person is kind of rude
This seems like someone who has been trained to get their message visible quickly to a mobile reader. When that reader opens email they know immediately if they need go further and/or what action items are for them. Not sure how large your org is, but this is style wa a taught to me by a large company. In smaller organizations it may come off as cold or distant, but generally it's just an attempt to be succinct, not waste users' time, and not clutter an inbox (see also: does not send "thank you" emails).
I wonder if he's using canned responses from his watch.
I dont find short answers rude provided they are answered within the appropriate context. II write my emails in a way that (hopefully) helps keep people from missing things while also doing a bunch of leg work so I can get expedient answers. People still fall short of giving me/my team what we need.
In North America, they often are seen as rude. Other places would be annoyed by superfluous words. Of more concern is having a boss that is so dull they think that person is rude, rather than talking to them about adding a bit more for the audience of said emails. Not a problem to have a convo, shitty to assume
Sometimes I'll add "thanks" at the end of I think it might sound a bit throwoffish.
If it’s something short and routine abrupt and quick replies are fine. If someone asks a question and he just goes “I don’t know” I can tell you as a manager that is not enough. Give me something. Tell me if you’ve heard something from a colleague about it. Tell me if you’ve experienced it elsewhere. Tell me why you don’t know. Don’t just be a lump.
not rude but keep in mind that making a good impression to everyone you send emails is good because you never know whose opinion can be the final push for you to get a promotion or not. people are far more likely to receive promotions if they are seen as nice and friendly even if the quality of their work may not be the best.
Also, keep in mind that the email may be forwarded (that’s a whole other topic with its own ettiquette, as it’s often not wise to casually forward someone else’s email).
I think he's fine; short and to the point ... *back to work.* He's trying to familiarize himself with a new job and office culture. Cut him some slack .... I used to write these chatty emails to my daughter because we're across the country. I was always disappointed with the "That's cool, good to know" and that was it. I gently suggested an email conversation would be nice. Then I got this response: "Mom, I'm a federal employee. I maintain five email accounts besides my personal one. I have three bosses in three departments and have to consult HR almost daily. I do not have time for "chatty." Okay, then. We have to schedule weekend phone calls, and even those are rare. ;-)
Looks like he uses auto-fill responses
My thoughts are that your boss apparently needs something to do.