People some times misspell words or use the wrong punctuation mark. We do not always use proper grammar. This is especially true of instant message, texting and emails. Maybe we are in a hurry and missed that typo. Maybe we do not know the right way to spell that word.
Now you get that email and you go to respond but you decide to use spell checker first. Spell checker is not concerned about good manners. Spell checker has one job; to destroy that misspelled word. Because it has no boundaries, it may very well tell you there is a misspelled word in that original email.
I have had several people ask what they should do. Do they correct that misspelled word in the original email or tell spell checker to skip it?
The answer is absolutely unequivocally no, you do not correct the spelling in the original message. You may check your own contributions to make sure they are correct but you never correct anyone else (other than your own young children) on anything other than your own name or the name of your immediate family.
To correct the spelling of an adult is to treat them like a child. It is not your place and it will not be appreciated. This does not mean that you should misspell the word when you respond. It just means you do not draw attention to any errors.
Worry about your own spelling and grammar but do not project it to someone else. We all make mistakes and if we all start pointing them out, all it will do is cause a lot of hard feelings. At its base, etiquette is all about helping people get along.
Showing posts with label business etiquette. Show all posts
Showing posts with label business etiquette. Show all posts
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
A Thank You Video
If you have seen my earlier posts, then you know that I am a big fan of the thank you card. I believe it is just good manners to thank someone for a gift. The people over at Solar Roadways took this one step further. This is one of the hundreds of thank you videos they did for people who donated to their recent crowd funding drive to get the money to test and develop solar roadways.
The video says thank you, gives a cute example of what they plan to do with the money and yes, advances their own marketing. I am not suggesting you put a plug for your business at the end of every thank you or even that you need to make elaborate videos. Rather I am saying that they took the time to say thank you in a way that is both cute and polite and I applaud that.
If you are interested in finding out more about Solar Roadways, here is a link to their website.
http://www.solarroadways.com/intro.shtml
Monday, March 3, 2014
Darn! What Was Their Name Again?
Don't you just hate that feeling of running into someone and knowing absolutely that you should know their name but you just can't quite remember it? I know I do. So what is the proper etiquette for blundering around someone's name?
There is nothing wrong with flat out saying, "I'm sorry. I have forgotten your name." It should, of course, be accompanied by a suitably apologetic look. If it is someone you only met once or twice, this will work fine. If it is someone you have met several times, you may want to go a step further and give them what details you do remember so as to minimize the feeling that they are completely forgettable. For instance, "I know we met at my aunt's bbq last summer." Also feel free to stress that it is your fault by saying something like, "I have a terrible memory for names."
You can always attempt the subtle maneuver by introducing someone else. For instance, "Have you meet my husband, John?". Then wait for them to respond such as, "Hi John. I'm Sally." This could backfire as it is a commonly known trick. The other person may also wait for you to properly finish the introduction by saying, "John, this is Sally."
Some people will be offended; some people will shrug it off. If you find you have offended someone, apologize sincerely. Make a note of their name and try to move the conversation along.
You may want to try to make an extra effort to remember the name. You can try memory tricks such as rhyming the name with something about them such as Sally from the Valley. You can try repeating the name several times when you are first introduced. "Hello Sally. It is nice to meet you Sally." could start the conversation and "It was nice speaking with you Sally" could end it. Your brain finds it easier to remember something 3 times.
As always, if you make a mistake, feel free to say sorry and move on.
There is nothing wrong with flat out saying, "I'm sorry. I have forgotten your name." It should, of course, be accompanied by a suitably apologetic look. If it is someone you only met once or twice, this will work fine. If it is someone you have met several times, you may want to go a step further and give them what details you do remember so as to minimize the feeling that they are completely forgettable. For instance, "I know we met at my aunt's bbq last summer." Also feel free to stress that it is your fault by saying something like, "I have a terrible memory for names."
You can always attempt the subtle maneuver by introducing someone else. For instance, "Have you meet my husband, John?". Then wait for them to respond such as, "Hi John. I'm Sally." This could backfire as it is a commonly known trick. The other person may also wait for you to properly finish the introduction by saying, "John, this is Sally."
Some people will be offended; some people will shrug it off. If you find you have offended someone, apologize sincerely. Make a note of their name and try to move the conversation along.
You may want to try to make an extra effort to remember the name. You can try memory tricks such as rhyming the name with something about them such as Sally from the Valley. You can try repeating the name several times when you are first introduced. "Hello Sally. It is nice to meet you Sally." could start the conversation and "It was nice speaking with you Sally" could end it. Your brain finds it easier to remember something 3 times.
As always, if you make a mistake, feel free to say sorry and move on.
Sunday, February 16, 2014
Dealing With Customer Service Representatives
It is becoming increasingly more common these days when dealing with a company such as your cable, your insurance or a purchase, that you may be calling a large service center or emailing the company. Here are some guidelines.
First, always put identifying information on the subject line of any emails. These could be your name or your account number. This lets them identify your account and if you continue to email back and forth, to differentiate you from every other email they may get that day. Putting Highland Ave on the subject line may let you know it is your Highland Ave house but if the email right after you says Highland St as the subject line, this could lead to you getting wrong information. Try instead putting something like Jane Doe, Highland Ave, #1315656.
Do not put sensitive information such as your social security number or passwords. This is intended to identify you; not put you at risk.
Second, when emailing to a company, it is a good idea to be polite and precise in your initial emails. Requests that come filled with profanity or threats are rarely going to get you the result you want. Always start by being polite and saying what it is you want from them. This is especially true if you are asking them to make an exception to their company policy.
The same rules of politeness apply when calling a company. Start off by identifying yourself such as providing the name on the account or the number. Let them know what the situation is and what they should do to resolve it to your satisfaction. For example, an item arrived damaged so you would like a replacement one. Your bill never came so you would like them to waive the late fee.
If the person you are speaking with can not help you, then ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. This is especially true if the representative is saying something like "I can not" or "I am unable". This may be them trying to tell you to ask for a supervisor. A lot of companies will not let you be transferred until you ask to be transferred. By berating the first person, you are wasting your time and ruining their day. Neither of which will help you.
Above all, try to remain calm. The person with whom you are speaking is rarely the person who caused your problem and may not even be the person who can fix it. Try not to yell or threaten or swear at some one just because they are on the other end of the phone. This is especially true if the mistake was yours and you are asking them to do something for you because of it such as waiving a late fee when you forgot to send your payment.
As always when ever you deal with some one in a service position, treat them with respect and civility. Be polite, have your information handy and be clear about what it is you want and people will be more likely to go that extra mile to help you out.
First, always put identifying information on the subject line of any emails. These could be your name or your account number. This lets them identify your account and if you continue to email back and forth, to differentiate you from every other email they may get that day. Putting Highland Ave on the subject line may let you know it is your Highland Ave house but if the email right after you says Highland St as the subject line, this could lead to you getting wrong information. Try instead putting something like Jane Doe, Highland Ave, #1315656.
Do not put sensitive information such as your social security number or passwords. This is intended to identify you; not put you at risk.
Second, when emailing to a company, it is a good idea to be polite and precise in your initial emails. Requests that come filled with profanity or threats are rarely going to get you the result you want. Always start by being polite and saying what it is you want from them. This is especially true if you are asking them to make an exception to their company policy.
The same rules of politeness apply when calling a company. Start off by identifying yourself such as providing the name on the account or the number. Let them know what the situation is and what they should do to resolve it to your satisfaction. For example, an item arrived damaged so you would like a replacement one. Your bill never came so you would like them to waive the late fee.
If the person you are speaking with can not help you, then ask to speak with a supervisor or manager. This is especially true if the representative is saying something like "I can not" or "I am unable". This may be them trying to tell you to ask for a supervisor. A lot of companies will not let you be transferred until you ask to be transferred. By berating the first person, you are wasting your time and ruining their day. Neither of which will help you.
Above all, try to remain calm. The person with whom you are speaking is rarely the person who caused your problem and may not even be the person who can fix it. Try not to yell or threaten or swear at some one just because they are on the other end of the phone. This is especially true if the mistake was yours and you are asking them to do something for you because of it such as waiving a late fee when you forgot to send your payment.
As always when ever you deal with some one in a service position, treat them with respect and civility. Be polite, have your information handy and be clear about what it is you want and people will be more likely to go that extra mile to help you out.
Sunday, January 26, 2014
Don't Blame This One For The Last One
Many years ago when I started my first office job, I had a coworker that took an instant dislike to me. There was no conflict; no misunderstanding. From the second she laid eyes on me, she disliked me. It was my first non-retail job and I was in a situation where I was spending 8 1/2 hours a day, five days a week with a woman who had trouble being civil to me.
It is very hard to avoid someone when you work all day in a small defined area. Our jobs, while different, also overlapped and I would have to bring her things several times a day; each time knowing she was going to snap at me or ignore me or just generally behave rudely.
After about 7 or 8 months of this, on a day when she was being particularly rude to me, I snapped. I said to her in a very loud voice while throwing my hands up in the air, "What is your problem with me? Did your husband leave you for a younger woman or something?" She turned bright red and took off for the break room.
The next day I was called into the manager's office and told I should apologize for airing this woman's personal business in the office. It turns out that yes, her husband had left her for a younger woman and that woman supposedly looked a lot like me. I had not even know she was ever married.
I was asked to apologize and while I was in the wrong for my outburst, I refused on the grounds that she owed me a much bigger apology. (I'm sure many will say I should have just apologized to be polite but I believe there is a difference between being polite and being a doormat.) We ended up shaking hands and forming a truce. We were never friends but we were civil to each other from then on.
There are two things I take away from this experience. One, you have no business blaming someone for the actions of someone else. This is true here where I was being mistreated for reminding her of someone else. It is also true in personal relationships. You don't mistreat your current boyfriend because the last one mistreated you. You don't take away one child's driving privileges because the other one had a car wreck. Think twice about what you say or do before punishing someone for something that had nothing to do with them.
Two, I should have addressed the issue with her before it reached that point. Yes, she was the one in the wrong but perhaps if I had gone to her early on and asked her calmly what was going on, we could have avoided a lot of conflict. I could have sat her down and asked calmly if there was an issue. Perhaps she could have become aware of her poor behavior before she got embarrassed in front of the office. We will never know for sure but maybe I could have avoided months of mistreated to me and some embarrassment to her if I had tried.
It is very hard to avoid someone when you work all day in a small defined area. Our jobs, while different, also overlapped and I would have to bring her things several times a day; each time knowing she was going to snap at me or ignore me or just generally behave rudely.
After about 7 or 8 months of this, on a day when she was being particularly rude to me, I snapped. I said to her in a very loud voice while throwing my hands up in the air, "What is your problem with me? Did your husband leave you for a younger woman or something?" She turned bright red and took off for the break room.
The next day I was called into the manager's office and told I should apologize for airing this woman's personal business in the office. It turns out that yes, her husband had left her for a younger woman and that woman supposedly looked a lot like me. I had not even know she was ever married.
I was asked to apologize and while I was in the wrong for my outburst, I refused on the grounds that she owed me a much bigger apology. (I'm sure many will say I should have just apologized to be polite but I believe there is a difference between being polite and being a doormat.) We ended up shaking hands and forming a truce. We were never friends but we were civil to each other from then on.
There are two things I take away from this experience. One, you have no business blaming someone for the actions of someone else. This is true here where I was being mistreated for reminding her of someone else. It is also true in personal relationships. You don't mistreat your current boyfriend because the last one mistreated you. You don't take away one child's driving privileges because the other one had a car wreck. Think twice about what you say or do before punishing someone for something that had nothing to do with them.
Two, I should have addressed the issue with her before it reached that point. Yes, she was the one in the wrong but perhaps if I had gone to her early on and asked her calmly what was going on, we could have avoided a lot of conflict. I could have sat her down and asked calmly if there was an issue. Perhaps she could have become aware of her poor behavior before she got embarrassed in front of the office. We will never know for sure but maybe I could have avoided months of mistreated to me and some embarrassment to her if I had tried.
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Complaining about your company
Even the best job in the world has its bad days. Maybe you had a tough customer. Maybe that project you have worked on for months was suddenly canceled. We all have bad days at work.
In the past, you would call up your friend or go to the bar with your coworkers for a drink. You could bad mouth your boss or your company and that would be it. These days we connect more digitally than in person. We often think nothing of tweeting or posting on Facebook. The trouble comes when you post something negative about your company.
Never post negative comments about your boss, your company or your clients.
It is disloyal to your company. It is also harmful to you. You could lose your job. You could be overlooked for a promotion. It could be as simple as your life being more complicated because your boss is just plain mad at you. You could even face a lawsuit from the company or the client.
Think twice before you post your company's dirt laundry online. It is the best decision for everyone involved.
In the past, you would call up your friend or go to the bar with your coworkers for a drink. You could bad mouth your boss or your company and that would be it. These days we connect more digitally than in person. We often think nothing of tweeting or posting on Facebook. The trouble comes when you post something negative about your company.
Never post negative comments about your boss, your company or your clients.
It is disloyal to your company. It is also harmful to you. You could lose your job. You could be overlooked for a promotion. It could be as simple as your life being more complicated because your boss is just plain mad at you. You could even face a lawsuit from the company or the client.
Think twice before you post your company's dirt laundry online. It is the best decision for everyone involved.
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