A site visitor writes:
Could you please evaluate this message? The person that sends this states it means nothing to have the ???, !!! and cap letters, but he continues to do it.
John:
Where is the updated spreadsheet for this project????????
I need this document – NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If I didn’t receive so many similar inquiries about use of multiple punctuation marks I would think this to be a joke. How can anyone honestly send an email like this and say this approach “means nothing”?
Multiple Punctuation Marks Indicates Emotion
The first sentence doesn’t even warrant one question mark let alone multiple instances. If having multiple exclamation points or questions marks “means nothing”, then why he is adding them? The fact is doing so does reflects emotion — that of one making a strong demand! To state otherwise is just being dishonest.
There are many folks who refuse to realize the power of the written word — until they are confronted. Then they typically react as if they didn’t mean what they typed. The duplicative punctuation and the ramifications of how they choose to use them means something. Fess up to it and learn from that experience.
I’ve stated many times on this site that by typing emotionally you leave the level of emphasis up to the other side. In this case, each additional question mark and exclamation point amps things up another notch!
Simply put — they are a Bully
Your associate is either showing their lack of online savvy or they know exactly what they are doing and do not have the nerve to admit it when confronted. By typing in caps, and by using !!!! or ??? he is typing to you with an overly aggressive and condescending tone. He comes off as a bully and not very professional.
I also cover formatting, capping and punctuation issues from a business POV here on this site.
One of the top skills in any successful business career is the ability to communicate with professionalism, courtesy and clarity. At all times. Even when you may be frustrated or upset. Redundant punctuation and yelling at recipients has no place in professional communications.
Have a question you would like to see me cover here on my blog? Let me know here!
