Rude work emails

[OhDear2200]

How do you deal with rude emails? When I mean rude I mean abrupt with no please and thank yous.

I’ve just checked my work email in preparation for the week ahead. And received an email from someone outside of my organisation who had asked me to do something for a mutual client (in public sector). I had initially said yes but that due to my work load it was a low priority and would not be done for some time. Then we had a procedural change, which I notified him of and said I would get back to him as I could no longer do what I had originally agreed.

I’ve not yet got back to him (it’s been one week) and he’s sent me a email with no ‘dear OhDear’ sorry to chase but I was wondering etc.

It’s - Where is what you promised me. You do know I’m on a tight deadline.

No ‘yours sincerely’ or a thank you.

This is from a professional person, a clicallu trained, profession.

AIBR to think as a fellow professional I should get some politeness. Yes there has been a slight delay (actually there hasn’t as I said I couldn’t do it before Easter) so I can understand a bit of his frustration but even then you can be polite. Surely???

@floribunda18

It really isn't. It signifies to anyone reading that you have a basic grasp of a) English and b) manners.

How does 'I was wondering' signify that you have basic grasp of English and manners?!

There is no such thing as "fluffy" and "direct" emails. There are successful, well-written, polite emails and rude, poorly written emails that fail in their objective.

If you don't think there is such a thing as 'fluffy' emails then you're probably the one sending them!

Fluffy emails, hell yes they exist
All floridly descriptive and I hope this finds you well and inane burble about a project etc
And I read them thinking just get to the pint say what you want/need

Go for the classic reply of "as per my last email"... Copy/paste where you told him your timeline and tell him that this has not changed, it's unfortunate bout his deadline, but that does not get factored into your workload

I am the Queen of passive aggressive emails

Fluffy emails, hell yes they exist
All floridly descriptive and I hope this finds you well and inane burble about a project etc
And I read them thinking just get to the pint say what you want/need

Exactly! Also, people who ask 'is now a good time to talk?' when they call someone. Again, very self-effacing. If it's not a good time, the person will tell you, no need to pre-empt them!

You are talking about "overly wordy" emails.

People I have worked with in the past use "fluffy" to describe anything from common politeness to basically "not being a twat". Anything they consider a bit too feminine and namby-pamby for their macho corporate emotionally-stunted brains.

One person's rude is another person's direct and efficient.

True, but I don't think that applies here. "Can I have an update on X?" is direct and efficient. "You do know I'm on a tight deadline" is rude; you couldn't say that face to face, especially to someone doing you a favour, without sounding like a complete dick.