Email Etiquette: How Not to Be Rude

Summary

The website content discusses the importance of email etiquette to prevent rudeness and its negative psychological impacts during the pandemic.

Abstract

The article "Email Etiquette: How Not to Be Rude" addresses the increasing stress, anxiety, and depression caused by improper email communication, particularly during the pandemic. It emphasizes that excessive use of punctuation like question marks and exclamation points can be perceived as shouting and is considered rude. Referencing a study from the University of Illinois, the article categorizes email rudeness into active (such as aggressive use of caps lock and punctuation) and passive (like intentionally delayed responses or ignoring emails). The psychological effects of such rudeness can lead to over-analysis, public humiliation, and feelings of isolation. The article advises on how to avoid being rude in emails by suggesting practices like thinking before writing, requesting instead of demanding, and apologizing if one slips up. It also provides guidance for recipients of rude emails, advocating for professional and firm responses and escalating the issue if the behavior is repetitive. The article concludes by reminding readers that a good impression can be easily lost through a single rude email.

Opinions

The use of caps lock and excessive punctuation in emails is akin to shouting and is perceived as rude.
Email rudeness, whether active or passive, can lead to significant psychological distress, including anxiety, stress, and depression.
Rudeness in emails can be amplified when seniors and colleagues are copied in the communication, potentially leading to public humiliation.
It is important to review emails for tone and content before sending, especially if one has a habit of using dramatic punctuation.
Responding to rude emails should be done professionally and without immediate emotional reaction to maintain one's dignity and professionalism.
Consistent rude behavior via email should not be ignored but addressed through appropriate channels.
A single rude email can undo months of good impression, highlighting the importance of maintaining professionalism in all communications.

Stress, Anxiety and Depression is on the rise during the Pandemic. Let me share how to keep these away from your emails.

“Why haven’t you sent me an update yet???? This is unacceptable!!!! “

Have you sent or received an email with such dramatic use of punctuations?

I guess we all have at some point without even realising it. Sending email’s having a ton of question or exclamation marks is actually considered as rude, it comes across as “Shouting” to the person reading it.

This was also shared in a study published by the University of Illinois, “the caps lock key and the stroke of exclamation point” is the equivalent of “aggressive shouting” at an employee.

Not only is excessive use of these an unhealthy form of communication, but can also take a phycological toll on an employee. Rudeness of any form can lead to anxiety and stress among people. If left unchecked, it can spiral into rumination, especially if one is unable to respond and stand up to it effectively. It also causes low self-esteem and depression.

There are two types of Email Rudeness, Active and Passive

Examples of active rudeness include aggressive caps lock, exclamation and question mark use.

Passive rudeness is where one tends to use mental tricks to cause distress or deflect responsibilities to another, for eg - not responding to emails, refusal to acknowledge or extremely delayed communication done intentionally.

Here is how you can avoid being rude in your emails

Think it over and calm yourself before writing emails.

Ask a peer to review your email if you feel you have the habit of using dramatic punctuations.

Always Request, don't demand.

Keep the caps lock off.

Talk in person, if possible.

Avoid marking unnecessary people in cc.

If done inadvertently, apologise and come clean.

Be professional, not personal.

How to deal with it, if you are on the receiving end

Don’t send off the first angry response that comes to your mind, let it settle.

Don’t personalise the rude behaviour as a reflection of who you are. It is a reflection of who they are.

Respond professionally, but firmly.

If it is a repetitive pattern, you should escalate and seek help.

It takes many months to make a good impression, just one email to lose it. So always be thorough, be elegant, be you.

Email Etiquette: How Not to Be Rude

Stress, Anxiety and Depression is on the rise during the Pandemic. Let me share how to keep these away from your emails.

There are two types of Email Rudeness, Active and Passive

How email rudeness affects a person

Here is how you can avoid being rude in your emails

How to deal with it, if you are on the receiving end