We’re all guilty of it. We sometimes don’t respond to an email for days or weeks. Or sadly, not at all. We do it in our personal and our business lives. It’s rude isn’t it?
Is email communication etiquette following the same path as the telephone? Back in the day, the telephone would ring (they had curly cords attaching the listening device to the box with a dial), we would get up and answer it. We didn’t know who was calling but we answered it. These days we don’t answer the phone. Landlines are in decline, caller information is broadcast on your television and smartphone screens, and texting has become the preferred communication method. The caller doesn’t know we’re there so, what the hell, don’t pick up. Email is different but the response results are beginning to look like telephone pickup results. We know we sent a message. We know it was received. And, I’m betting it was read or at least noticed. So why no response? You know you sent me something. I know you sent me something. And we both know I’m not answering you.
What’s the deal? My mother would ring my neck. She still handwrites all her communications – in beautiful cursive. I certainly don’t want to disappoint my mother, so I’d better get busy and reply to my inbox. The courtesy of your response would be greatly appreciated.