Forum Topic

Email etiquette

Is there a book on writing emails please?  I know that CAPITALS MEANS THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING!  From this forum I have learnt that IMHO = In my humble opinion; LOL = lots of laughter; :) etc = smile etc.  What else?People get into trouble with email tone because we write as we speak without the accompanying mitigating facial expressions and tone.  The oldfashioned letter writer was slow and we learnt to read our letters through before sending and could remove the tactless bits but now people just let fly what's raw in their hearts and minds.  It can cause a lot of problems :(I need a book.

Barbara Yerolemou ● 6719d6 Comments

try this www.uktsupport.co.uk/reference/abbrev.htm

Viv Ellis ● 6719d

One of the wisest things to remember with emails is that they are very much in the public domain and so a lot of people can access and take umbrage at any negative sentiment.  I am also very wary of a reply to all button or indeed massive circulation lists.

Colin Izzard ● 6719d

Thanks Viv but I was thinking more of style.  I was taught how to write a letter - Dear Sir or Madam, Thank you for your letter of .... blah blah.  There were books of sample letters, how to write to your bank etc.  That's what we need for emails.  ie Dont make them more of a certain length, indent reguarly, leave spaces between paragraphs.  I dont know - something of that sort.  Use lots of smiley faces perhaps. I always say to people dont put in an email/blog something you would be uncomfortable to see on the front page of the Sun or Mirror!

Barbara Yerolemou ● 6718d

I mostly write emails as if they were proper letters. It only takes a few extra seconds to put in capital letters, full stops and check the spelling. Nobody's that busy! I think it gives a bad impression when people can't be bothered.

Susan Kelly ● 6718d

I find communications all in lower case almost as irritating as SHOUTING LIKE THIS.I do though usually leave out the "Dear Whoever".

Graham Weeks ● 6718d

Yes, I tend to write as a normal letter - some kids these days do them more like a text tho' wiv silly abbreviations.

Viv Ellis ● 6718d