That's Not What I Meant? | Business Email Etiquette

As happens from time to time, I responded to an e-mail that was sent to me that had some comments, that, based on knowing this person for over a decade were a bit disappointing. And that’s the word I used when I e-mailed back my response – disappointing (although one could easily say it was insulting).

This person’s “clarification” was how the original e-mail could have been typed better “if they took the time to be thoughtful and considerate.” They continued… “It was not meant to be personal, so please do not take it that way.”

When you question my ethics or integrity without any reason or past experience to do so, it is personal — very personal! Insulting me could have been avoided — easily. By taking the necessary time to ensure that what was typed is what was meant. But we were rushed…

This is typical of onliners who just type what they want to know without taking a moment to review if their questions/challenges are apropos or even accurate. You can’t say “it was not meant” or that “you didn’t mean to” if you typed it! You simply cannot expect the other side to know what you mean if you don’t spell it out clearly!

If this individual would have taken a moment to review their e-mail (or read it out loud), they certainly would not have sent the e-mail they did. But they weren’t thinking — they were in a hurry. Nor are they apologizing. They knew what they “meant” regardless of what they typed, and I too should know that by osmosis!

The moral of the story? Some folks may not be as forgiving as I was in this instance — although my opinion of this individual has changed slightly. You are what you type; you are the words you choose to use. Know that what you type will be taken at it’s face value by the other side — they will take you at your word(s).

Why risk being misunderstood or having a contact’s opinion of you change negatively simply because you didn’t want to take the time? It is worth your time and your effort to make sure that what you type is in fact what you mean.