Carbon paper
The 'cc' - the carbon copy, as Mrs. Kaatsburg taught - was for when something was really going on. When the board had to be kept informed of a flaming conflict or when the head of HR needed a copy of a summary dismissal. You put a sheet of carbon paper behind the original in the typewriter. The carbon copy was for the archive. If we were to extend that frugal line a little to the cc in the e-mail, it would become pleasantly quiet in the mailbox.
The position that spelling mistakes are not bad because it is mail, I find incomprehensible. Mrs. Kaatsburg taught us that neat language use brings you closer to that job, client or lover. Sloppy language fumbling is not very effective. As far as I am concerned, the mailing applicant, director and admirer who cannot handle dt's is still not to be taken completely seriously.
Greetings!
To close an e-mail, the neutral 'kind regards' is very suitable. Much better than bangladesh mobile phone number list the teenage 'groetjes' that you see too much of in my opinion. However, when the 'kind regards' is an automatic signature, in a different colour or font, it feels uncivilised. As if the writer doesn't bother to say hello . Or this 'kind regards, Jan Jansen' and that Jan is your husband. Really, I've experienced it.
disclaimers at the bottom of emails from government agencies and other risk-averse bureaucrats:
“Any resemblance to existing persons, events, activities, cited examples or names of persons is purely coincidental. Furthermore, the management is not liable for the loss or theft of goods and do not print this email if you are in favor of the environment.”
Brrr, communication that is not meant to communicate. Mrs. Kaatsburg would certainly not have a good word for it.
letter
Civilized Mailing Interest Group
I passionately advocate for the reintroduction of business correspondence in Dutch at secondary school. Teach today's youth how to do it in email. Time for the interest group 'Civil Mailing'. With Mrs. Kaatsburg on the board of directors. Let me google it, maybe I'll find her...
Désirée Battjes wonders every week on Frankwatching.com about online etiquette . Or rather the lack thereof. Because Facebook may be celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, but do we all know how things should be on social media? How should things actually be done in the virtual world? Time for some online etiquette, with a large grain of salt. Do you have an opinion too? Bring on that opinion, it will only make the internet better.
Photo intro courtesy of Fotolia