Comments on: The etiquette and dangers of signing off emails http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/ Tips and add-ons to make Apple Mail / Mail.app even better Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:29:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jim Holloway http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44447 Jim Holloway Thu, 30 Nov 2006 14:40:29 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44447 If Fred hands you a screwdriver, you say "Thanks, Fred." I think ending an email "Thanks, Jim" makes it sound like I'm thanking myself (if I'm Jim). I'm always annoyed by this when someone ends their email like that. I think that email has its own etiquette separate from traditional letters, memos, etc. and that it's silly to try to shoehorn behaviors from days gone by into this new communication medium. Further, I think email and instant messenging are evolving into one another (you can send attachments in IMs, you can be notified almost instantly of incoming email, easily start a chat with someone who sent you an email if they're online, etc.). In an online chat, you wouldn't end each line with "Sincerely, Jim", so why would you need to in an email exchange? Doing so in emails just clutters up the "conversation", especially if there are a lot of "replys" and "forwards". Years ago, the only way you could tell who sent the letter was by the closing, but this isn't necessary for emails - your email client keeps track of this for you. I propose we get rid of the sign-offs altogether. If Fred hands you a screwdriver, you say “Thanks, Fred.” I think ending an email “Thanks, Jim” makes it sound like I’m thanking myself (if I’m Jim). I’m always annoyed by this when someone ends their email like that.

I think that email has its own etiquette separate from traditional letters, memos, etc. and that it’s silly to try to shoehorn behaviors from days gone by into this new communication medium.

Further, I think email and instant messenging are evolving into one another (you can send attachments in IMs, you can be notified almost instantly of incoming email, easily start a chat with someone who sent you an email if they’re online, etc.).

In an online chat, you wouldn’t end each line with “Sincerely, Jim”, so why would you need to in an email exchange? Doing so in emails just clutters up the “conversation”, especially if there are a lot of “replys” and “forwards”.

Years ago, the only way you could tell who sent the letter was by the closing, but this isn’t necessary for emails - your email client keeps track of this for you. I propose we get rid of the sign-offs altogether.

]]> By: Tim Gaden http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44142 Tim Gaden Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:59:52 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44142 Jean, Cheers is my habitual closing too. Perhaps it is considered "too English" or quaint. Jean, Cheers is my habitual closing too. Perhaps it is considered “too English” or quaint.

]]> By: Jean MacDonald http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44140 Jean MacDonald Wed, 29 Nov 2006 23:55:11 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44140 I was a little worried not to see my preferred "Cheers" mentioned in the story. I like it because it goes nicely with our business name, which has the word Smile in it. But is it dorky? Too much associated with alcohol? "Best" seems to beg the question "Best what?" so that's why I don't use that. I was a little worried not to see my preferred “Cheers” mentioned in the story. I like it because it goes nicely with our business name, which has the word Smile in it. But is it dorky? Too much associated with alcohol?

“Best” seems to beg the question “Best what?” so that’s why I don’t use that.

]]> By: kiil http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44011 kiil Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:44:52 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-44011 Its kind of funny, Before e-mail took off, the business world had several types of written communication i.e. letter, memo, quick note. Depending on what is being written would determine the level of formality. At first e-mail was just another choice but now its quickly replacing all the other types without offering the scale. A new labeling system needs to be implemented along with the subject line and we human beings need to be reschooled in manners and etiquette Wishing all the best in the coming holiday season Ian Its kind of funny, Before e-mail took off, the business world had several types of written communication i.e. letter, memo, quick note. Depending on what is being written would determine the level of formality. At first e-mail was just another choice but now its quickly replacing all the other types without offering the scale. A new labeling system needs to be implemented along with the subject line and we human beings need to be reschooled in manners and etiquette

Wishing all the best in the coming holiday season

Ian

]]> By: Tim Gaden http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43767 Tim Gaden Tue, 28 Nov 2006 21:55:42 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43767 @Mark -- Every post is dated in the "metadata" section underneath each post. That's where WordPress puts it by default. If you can remember where the dead links are, I'd be glad to fix them up/delete them. @Mark — Every post is dated in the “metadata” section underneath each post. That’s where WordPress puts it by default. If you can remember where the dead links are, I’d be glad to fix them up/delete them.

]]> By: Tim Johnson http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43750 Tim Johnson Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:59:53 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43750 Typically when I'm requesting something from someone else I use 'Thanks' as my sign off, or something like the more formal "I look forward to hearing from you". When I started emailing a lot more with lawyers this year I switched to mostly using 'Regards' on professional emails - every formal email I received from a couple of law firms we were dealign with was signed off 'Regards' or 'Kind regards'. Typically when I’m requesting something from someone else I use ‘Thanks’ as my sign off, or something like the more formal “I look forward to hearing from you”.

When I started emailing a lot more with lawyers this year I switched to mostly using ‘Regards’ on professional emails - every formal email I received from a couple of law firms we were dealign with was signed off ‘Regards’ or ‘Kind regards’.

]]> By: Stephen Keese http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43743 Stephen Keese Tue, 28 Nov 2006 20:32:17 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43743 Twice now I have run into a strange problem sending emails from Mail.app to PC users. In the first case, my recipient saw nothing when I replied to her. In the second the font displayed on the PC was a Greek font, but not consistently. I took a thread of 6 or so emails and puzzled responses from my correspondent and opened it on a PC. The first message used a Greek font and the rest was normal, in both directions. However on his PC, he only saw Greek or as he thought Russian from me. Anybody else run into a similar problem or have an idea how to fix it? Twice now I have run into a strange problem sending emails from Mail.app to PC users. In the first case, my recipient saw nothing when I replied to her. In the second the font displayed on the PC was a Greek font, but not consistently. I took a thread of 6 or so emails and puzzled responses from my correspondent and opened it on a PC. The first message used a Greek font and the rest was normal, in both directions. However on his PC, he only saw Greek or as he thought Russian from me.
Anybody else run into a similar problem or have an idea how to fix it?

]]> By: Mark Mason http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43659 Mark Mason Tue, 28 Nov 2006 15:42:15 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43659 I just noticed that your blog postings hover in timeless cyberspace. Would you consider adding the date the posting was made to your blog? Having read some previous postings, I noticed that a link or two was dead in the post. I was left wondering if the post was made yesterday or six years ago. Thanks. I just noticed that your blog postings hover in timeless cyberspace. Would you consider adding the date the posting was made to your blog? Having read some previous postings, I noticed that a link or two was dead in the post. I was left wondering if the post was made yesterday or six years ago. Thanks.

]]> By: BZ http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43642 BZ Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:14:28 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43642 I have two parts of my sign off. 1) In the last sentence, by itself, on its own line, I try to summarize what I am looking for in the email. So, if it is something I need or want to hear back on "Looking forward to hearing from you." or if it is a sign off "I appreciate all your help." to customer service "Let us know if there is anything else we can do." 2) The second part is always the same. "Thanks, BZ" (with a new line of course) and usually just the website name and url. If I am too pissed to write "Thanks" I re-think why I am sending the email at all. BZ I have two parts of my sign off.

1) In the last sentence, by itself, on its own line, I try to summarize what I am looking for in the email. So, if it is something I need or want to hear back on “Looking forward to hearing from you.” or if it is a sign off “I appreciate all your help.” to customer service “Let us know if there is anything else we can do.”

2) The second part is always the same. “Thanks, BZ” (with a new line of course) and usually just the website name and url.

If I am too pissed to write “Thanks” I re-think why I am sending the email at all.

BZ

]]> By: FJ http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43640 FJ Tue, 28 Nov 2006 13:08:38 +0000 http://www.hawkwings.net/2006/11/28/the-etiquette-and-dangers-of-signing-off-an-email/#comment-43640 We in the office, when writing in French, often have to consult the books – and I mean literally. In French, men, women, professionals, notabilities in every single religion, etc… deserve and expect a different formula. It's great fun – and it shows you care – but wars have been started by a "distinguished consideration" instead of a "respectful homage". - FJ We in the office, when writing in French, often have to consult the books – and I mean literally. In French, men, women, professionals, notabilities in every single religion, etc… deserve and expect a different formula. It’s great fun – and it shows you care – but wars have been started by a “distinguished consideration” instead of a “respectful homage”.

- FJ

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