A Little Please Never Hurts

Please: adverb

Used as a polite addition to requests, commands, etc.: if you would be so obliging; kindly: Please come here. Will you please turn the radio off?

E-mails flow into this site on a daily basis from folks wondering why those who e-mail them for assistance or with requests are so rude and blunt. “Is it me who is being over-sensitive to expect a ‘please’ once and a while?”

Even our Mothers taught us to say please and ask nicely for things. Why wouldn’t that apply to e-mail!? The answer is it does; times ten for business e-mail! That is if you don’t want folks to cringe when they see your name in their inbox.

You are not over-sensitive to expect a little common courtesy from those who are requesting you do something on their behalf. The next question that always follows is in regard to how they should respond. Should they ignore these type of requests? Should they ask the other side to say “please?” Many stating that they are inclined to not respond at all until they are asked nicely or in person.

Never stoop to the level of those who are so concerned with only what they need or want at any given moment that they neglect common courtesy. You are better than that. Lead by example, “kill” them with kindness — show them the right way to politely communicate via e-mail!

Taking the time to type these six letters will speak volumes about what it is like to work and communicate with you, not to mention what it says about you as a human being. Most importantly that you are a person that values other’s time and assistance when you need it.

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