2006-01-18 #1

Good Manners

I just learned today that New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer said recently:

"Never write when you can talk. Never talk when you can nod. And never put anything in an email." Source

While this is targeted at ensuring that confidential information is not revealed by accident I read it from a different point of view:

1. Talk to people instead of writing to them (except to government agencies).
2. Let them finish what they are saying before you start commenting.
3. Think twice before you write anything in an email. Save draft, walk, read again.

Email today is so easily used to drop a note or complain about something. It completely ignores the fact that emails do not transport emotions. Even picking up the phone and talking to someone you don't see is better. Especially for complaints, most of the time it turns out to be misunderstanding. And last, but not least: Anyone likes to be talked to.

Number two is my very own special. Interrupting can be a very powerful way of making a point. Do it often and speak loud, state your message often. Well, it works in real discussions, but may simply be impolite. I often tend to think ahead and finish the other sentence. Sometimes right, often wrong. And nodding is such a nice way of conversing without too much commitment.

Something to work on in 2006.