Friday, May 7, 2010

A note to people e-mailing me asking me to do something for them

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I don't answer e-mails addressed to "hey."**


**The only exception to this is friends of long standing. But if you're asking me for my professional services, please be professional.

13 comments:

  1. I always think a nice "Hello" bodes well in an email. Or "Dear X" if it's a letter.

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  2. How about "hey prof." That's my favorite.

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  3. This is a tough one. While in my heart I feel exactly the same way, I have somewhat adjusted my expectations to conform to newer norms of undergraduate politness in e-mail salutation.

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  4. You misunderstand, folks: this was from a professional outfit that wanted me to act as a reviewer.

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  5. Oh, lolz! They must have a recent college graduate from an elite institution sending out their reviewer solicitation e-mails.

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  6. From somebody who wanted you to review for them????? Um, f- off :)

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  7. Yeah. I thought about replying: "OMG. Srsly?"

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  8. Well, not that I've been sitting around yearning for this opportunity, but it does give me the chance to use the phrase

    salutation FAIL

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  9. Yeah. I thought about replying: "OMG. Srsly?"

    Thhat would have been fucking hilarious!

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  10. You should send them a LOLCat expressing your feelings on the matter.

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  11. HA-hahahahahaha! You totally should have replied either "OMG! Srsly, Dude?" or as Dr. S. suggests, "Salutation FAIL!"

    Here's what I want to know: was this from a grad student editorial assistant, or was it from an editor (at any level)? If it's the former, you might want to warn hir supervisor that ze's writing e-mails addressed like that. If it's the latter, then LOLZ all around!

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  12. While, yes, unprofessional, I have to wonder if this was someone either from the South, or who currently resides here. I currently live in the South, but grew up elsewhere and it took me some time to get over the language eccentricities here. "Hey" is *the* salutation. Rarely do I hear "Hello" or even "Hi" in writing, on the phone, or in person.

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  13. As a grad student, preparing my first syllabus, I'm now thinking that I have ANOTHER thing to put in my rules, regulations, and general don't f* it up text.

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Courteous debate and dissent are welcome. Spam and trolls will be deleted on sight.