Email etiquette?

Question

My husband and I were wondering this. We have a few family members who in an email will use no introduction, few short, simple sentances, no small talk and no sign off. Is is just the way some people use email? My husband and I both use email the same way we would right a letter.
Dear so and so
--------------------------------------how are you----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Things are good here--------------------------how are the kids, tell them we said hello.------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------signature
Us
Are we in the wrong by expecting more in an email from these family members, are they being rude. If they are being rude should we ignore it?

Their letters would be

This is the store I bought it from

Answer 1

when i write emails to family i just don't think about the etiquette if it was work related that would be another story but most people act one way with family and another at work.I think this is one of those many things that family's do that we should just ignore.

Answer 2

I was very short in emails, since some people told me they thought it was rude I try to always start with 'hi (name)'. But I don't include all the 'how are you, how are the kids,' and other chat... that's nice for snail-mail letters but email isn't the same as snailmail. While you can of course use email to chat, it can also be used more like an office memo. You wouldn't ask after someone's kids on an office memo note. :) Or before email, didn't anyone ever use a postcard just for a short message? It all depends on the personal preference of the writers.

I do think those people who said it was polite to start with 'hi so and so' and ending with your name were right, but other than that, just sticking to the information you need to convey at that time is fine.

Answer 3

The amount of effort people put into an email is a good indicator of how formal they think the email is.

The way they email you probably implies that they are very familiar with you, and they consider the email informal. On the other hand, if you were applying for a job or emailing someone important, you would probably write email more like you are doing now.

So no, they are probably not being rude. You could even take it as a complement -- they probably like you!

Answer 4

Actually, I think it is what makes email a very effective way of being able to talk to people without having to get on the phone, or go visit. What I mean, is that if you tend to email someone back and forth a lot, like I do with my son, and my mom, then it's actually handled like a conversation. My son will email me and say something like, "hey mom, do you think blah blah blah?" And I will email back, "yeah, a lot. Are you coming over later?" My son, "yeah, what time is good?" You see what I mean? And it goes back and forth, several times in one day sometimes. However, with people that I don't email very often, I always do the more traditional, "Hi Name," and write a typical letter with a proper sign off, "Love, My Name" I hope that helps.

Answer 5

No, they are not being rude.

The world of e mail is different then snail mail. E mail sometmes can be like a conversation.

While it is nice to always have the "dear___" or even the "Name," it is not always necessary.

As for signing with thier name, it depends. I almost always sign my name at the bottom, but not everyone does, and it does not offend me at all. I know who it is by the address. I must add, that this all depends on who is e mailing and how frequently. If its from someone I don't know well, and I would not recognize the address, then I expect the name..otherwise how would I know who it was? so basically, if I get an e mail from my husband or daughter, I would know who it was, so if no name, no big deal.

I agree, for business the e mails are more formal.

Answer 6

Neither you,nor your family members are wrong. Its just your difference in expressing yourselves via e-mail.

If they really wanted to be rude,they would have not mailed you back. However,if you are still hurt, you start sending them mails in a manner in which you want to receive them. Ask them as many questions you want and there is no need to be shy about this. They will answer your questions. They will understand sooner or later what you expect from them to write.

Answer 7

Email and snail mail is very different. If you email each other very often, you and they may omit the "hi" or "dear" or signing off with your name because you and they know who is sending it. Allow yourself to be like them and do the same. If they are making it like a conversation, then follow suit.

Answer 8

I think that when I write to Mr X to whom I don't write frequently I should write the same way as in a letter. If we exchange emails frequently there is no need for it. we can just go ahead with the main topic.

Answer 9

Email can be used in many ways... like an electronic 'snail mail' complete with salutations and headers, or more like Instant Messagers... quick remarks flying back and forth!

Neither are incorrect... One of my daughters has external IM's blocked and the other doesn't.. I send 'Hey you home for supper tonight' to both, be it via email or MSN :)

Answer 10

Yes some people write personal emails in that way, often a more formal email is for professional purposes.