Gentle reminder

[AllMimsyWereTheBorogroves]

Venting. I hate, hate, hate it when an email starts 'This is a gentle reminder that....' What next, a rough reminder? Just say it's a reminder!

Oh I was all set to go on the rampage when I saw your title! Thank Bod we are on the same page and indeed singing from the same hymn sheet.

It's never a gentle reminder. It's very often a passive-aggressive one though!

Absolutely, Wilson! It makes me want to smash my fist through the screen and down the internet to the sender. I always imagine it said with a little headtilt and a concerned smile that doesn't reach the eyes.

YES! Always the head tilt!

Oooh yes.

Especially when (in my case) it's been sent out to 'gently remind' me of a deadline I have not yet passed. It's like saying 'I expect you to fuck up'.

I used to be the administrator on a Master's course. Every Monday when I arrived my colleague would say 'X just rang for you.' X was a student. When I logged on, I would always find an email from X. She would have sent the email at about 8.45am. She would then have rung the office at about 8.55am to check I'd got the email. I was never in the office at 8.55 on a Monday. She was a lovely young woman in other respects but I couldn't understand (a) why she rang immediately after sending the email and (b) why she couldn't get it into her head that she should wait till later to ring, if she had to ring at all.

Grr.

That would drive me nuts.