“Unnecessary” Business Thank You Emails?

Who would have thought that some complain about “Thank You” emails? I receive visitor emails on the topic that claim they are a waste of time, annoying, and shouldn’t be sent. “The ding my efficiency!”

Thank yous make you inefficient. Having to read them makes you inefficient? You must receive a ton of thank yous.

I’ve previously posted on the topic of Thank You curmudgeons and have also been on the receiving end of “thank you” emails. Yet, not once was I annoyed. Instead, I smile and then hit Delete.

It only takes a moment. So, where is the angst coming from?

I received an email from a site visitor about this topic with a slightly different twist, so I thought I would share our conversation with you.

Hmmm… With the amount of help I offer via email, from experience, the thank you emails are infrequent. So, to be so impressive that you get so many “thanks” and then are annoyed is perplexing to me. I would take those emails as a confirmation that you are doing something right.

Thank Yous are Uncommon

Since so few take that extra step to send gratitude (in my experience anyway), I think sending a thank you is a nice gesture we should always appreciate. I cannot imagine ever becoming tired of emails that thank me.

To continue…

Okay, this may not be an issue of one showing sincere gratitude, but instead a co-worker acknowledging receipt of emails. Then, why not just hit the Delete button and move on?

No, what she describes is not proper etiquette. Never heard that one before, and I’ve been talking email etiquette for decades. But her motives appear to be in the right place. In other words, she is not purposefully trying to annoy you.

Since it appears your sanity may be at stake, kindly tell her that you appreciate her wanting to let you know, but the reality is that not every email requires a response. Therefore, there is no need to send a “Thanks” simply to confirm receipt.

Thank You = Acknowledgement?

No response is necessary unless there is something that specifically needs to be confirmed or responded to, as requested. However, if they asked you a question or for some information, and you obliged, they’re thanking you for your time and effort.

What is wrong with that? I’ve found that some folks are natural “thankers.” (Thank goodness.)

She goes on…

Tracking or Return Receipts is not something you can rely on. Remember that the RR/Return Receipt only acknowledges that an email was received/opened, but cannot confirm if that email was actually read.

Or what if she has her settings, as I do, to ignore RRs?

If you think thank-you emails are crazy, imagine having to acknowledge every RR. So, requiring an RR with every email is not an option and will be seen as much more annoying than a genuine thank you.

Be grateful for the thank you and move on. Even if done for reasons one disagrees with, it is still a nice gesture from someone making an extra effort.

Everyone should be concerned if human beings ever get to a point where being thanked is considered annoying. Very concerned.