Email "Ignore"-ance

Here is an article I found that everyone should consider when writing and replying to emails. I take emailing very seriously. The author makes very good points. You can view this article at: Angrycoder.com and look at other articles he has written.

Email "Ignore"-ance
by Jonathan Goodyear - MVP, RD, self-proclaimed Internet Bad-Boy
Column angryCoder
Date 6/22/2001
If you were speaking to someone, and they acted as though you weren't there, wouldn't that annoy you? It sure would annoy me. In fact, most people would consider this behavior downright rude! Yet, many of these same people have no problem with ignoring email that is sent to them. Let's forget for a moment that I prefer other modes of communication, anyway. I'm not talking about SPAM, emails sent to many recipients, or newsletters. I'm referring to emails that either specifically ask for a response, or imply that one should be sent. I've run into this situation dozens of times:

1. Send an email with a question
2. Wait
3. Send a reminder email
4. Wait some more
5. Send a third (more stern) email with that obnoxious "high-priority" flag
6. Wait yet again
7. Unleash a flurry of four letter expletives and give up

How about the jack-ass that sends an email asking me a question, and then ignores my response emails requesting additional information? What could they possibly be thinking? The sender is essentially telling me that they feel that my time isn't valuable. If you're not going to listen to my response, then don't bother me in the first place.

Some of you are probably thinking "But, I get so much email every day. I can't possibly answer it all." Cut the crap, and stop your whining. I get more email in any given day than most people can possibly imagine. I find a way to answer every one (that asks for an answer, of course). If I don't answer an email, it is a genuine mistake. When I discover these oversights, I apologize for them.

Another annoying email habit that is spreading like wildfire is what I like to call the "email time capsule". I'll send somebody an email and get a response several weeks later (long after I have given up on it). The sender usually makes no reference to the incredible tardiness of their response. What the hell good is that? If I wanted to wait that long, I would have used an envelope and some postage. Is their life so hectic that they can't even take the time to shoot me a quick email saying that they are too busy to field my question at the moment? Don't leave me hanging like that!

Somehow, somewhere, people got the notion that the internet was a buffer shielding us from the obligations of common manners. I would like to see this trend make an about-face, starting with email. When I send you an email, I would like a prompt reply (even if it is just to say that you'll have to get back to me later). I will extend you the same courtesy. It's sad that I have to write about a lesson that we all should have learned in Kindergarten. It's time for the trolls to crawl out of their caves and sharpen some of their social interaction skills. My name is Jonathan Goodyear, and I am the angryCoder.