[
EmailNetiquettePatterns]
Use civil language and maintain a civil tone. Don't write in email what you wouldn't say face-to-face in front of your own mother ;-)
This, of course, works until you find an ass willing to say -- unabashed -- the most uncivil things in any company. You know, "
ChronicallyRight" and "must have the last word" and "brutally frank" and "for your own good" sorts of asses. (
Some people would say these things face-to-face to their own mother.)
From their viewpoint, civility is the refuge of the hopelessly stupid, so why bother? I have a participant (on an e-List that I manage) who is a shining (blinding?) example of this.
The admonition to be civil only works with those already inclined to be civil. For those outside this set, a
TwoByFour adjustment tool may be required.
--
GarryHamilton
I find that TwoByFours don't travel very well through cyberspace.