No, I am not referring to Simon and Garfunkel’s hit of the 1960s — I’m referring to the growing lack of response, courtesy and manners some people display when conversing via e-mail.
In an earlier blog, I discussed the overall demise of common courtesy our society seems to have deemed acceptable. Technology continues to grow as the main mode of communication, and in many ways that’s a good thing.But it doesn’t give license to abandoning good manners and professionalism. It’s frustrating and disappointing that it seems to be “ok” to ignore an e-mail when the message has been sent once, twice and even three times.Apparently, I’m not the only person who feels this way. The issue was recently reported by The New York Times in an article titled “Anyone There?” in which the writer examines what happens to our relationships when we choose to be silent.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/17/fashion/when-your-e-mail-goes-unanswered.html?pagewanted=allSome will blame it on technology, but I say that’s an excuse. We’ve all heard, “ I never saw this e-mail” or “ it must have gone to spam.” Really? With most of us totally wired between computers, laptops, cell phones and iPads, I find that hard to believe. I guess that’s why so many are now asking for e-mail receipts.Yes, e-mails get caught in spam. Yes, life gets in the way of an instant response. Yes, we plan to get back to e-mails and forget. But in too many cases it’s just easier not to answer, especially when the subject matter is delicate or difficult.It has nothing to do with technology. That’s just plain old bad manners and no matter what the reason, there’s no excuse. Just say no, not interested, write you soon, or not now, but say something. Life is built on relationships and to develop good ones we need to communicate and communicate effectively, regardless of the news we have to share.
Good manners and being civil to one another is a good way to start.
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