How to Respond to "Clever" Forwarded E Mails
Recognize your audience., Be a little bit cranky right at the beginning -- it can work wonders., Evaluate the context., Look for an easy way out., Keep your cool., Google it!, When in doubt, talk it out!
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Recognize your audience.
If the email in question came from someone who sends two or three of these things a week (you know who you are!), then don't invest too much into the response.
Etiquette and classical learning theory dictate that unless you truly find the item interesting or amusing, you shouldn't reply at all. -
Step 2: Be a little bit cranky right at the beginning -- it can work wonders.
When you get the first time-wasting email from someone, send them back a polite email saying, "Please take me off your joke forwarding list.
I don't have time right now to read jokes, inspirational messages, etc., and I'm worried that I might overlook your important emails." The person will email back in a huff saying that: a) they thought you'd enjoy it; b) they rarely send this kind of thing, but this one was really funny.
However, they will think twice about doing it again, and if they do, just repeat your response, using the same language as before.
If you don't mind being firm, you'll cut your junk email down considerably.
But you must use self-control and never admit that anything was funny, or that you even read it, or they'll start right back up again.
And obviously, YOU must never send junk emails if you don't want to receive them from others.
But if you do want to respond ... , Was this email forwarded to you for any particular reason? If so, a prompt and personalized response is key.
This step is particularly important as a failure to respond to a early-April email forward spurred by a conversation in late January could result in hurt feelings. , Oftentimes, email forwards have their own built-in responses: simply pick a point mentioned in the text.
Copy, paste, sign, send
- and you're done! Never forget an extraneous exclamation point, to prove your enthusiasm and gratitude. (An alternative to this method is mentioning your favorite part of the email forward.) , Semi-funny email forwards can be amusing, but they're never quite necessary.
Keep this in mind, and you already have the upper-hand
- you are cooler than the sender (who went out of his/her way to placate you with said whimsical nugget)., If you still haven't managed to formulate an appropriate response, try Googling the title of the email.
Most likely, you'll find a related topic that may spark a great come-back., Still can't think of anything? Nothing seems right? How about you approach the sender in person and follow up? No doubt your facial expressions and body language will make up for the marked lack of cleverness.
A pat on the back, though, might be taking it too far. -
Step 3: Evaluate the context.
-
Step 4: Look for an easy way out.
-
Step 5: Keep your cool.
-
Step 6: Google it!
-
Step 7: When in doubt
-
Step 8: talk it out!
Detailed Guide
If the email in question came from someone who sends two or three of these things a week (you know who you are!), then don't invest too much into the response.
Etiquette and classical learning theory dictate that unless you truly find the item interesting or amusing, you shouldn't reply at all.
When you get the first time-wasting email from someone, send them back a polite email saying, "Please take me off your joke forwarding list.
I don't have time right now to read jokes, inspirational messages, etc., and I'm worried that I might overlook your important emails." The person will email back in a huff saying that: a) they thought you'd enjoy it; b) they rarely send this kind of thing, but this one was really funny.
However, they will think twice about doing it again, and if they do, just repeat your response, using the same language as before.
If you don't mind being firm, you'll cut your junk email down considerably.
But you must use self-control and never admit that anything was funny, or that you even read it, or they'll start right back up again.
And obviously, YOU must never send junk emails if you don't want to receive them from others.
But if you do want to respond ... , Was this email forwarded to you for any particular reason? If so, a prompt and personalized response is key.
This step is particularly important as a failure to respond to a early-April email forward spurred by a conversation in late January could result in hurt feelings. , Oftentimes, email forwards have their own built-in responses: simply pick a point mentioned in the text.
Copy, paste, sign, send
- and you're done! Never forget an extraneous exclamation point, to prove your enthusiasm and gratitude. (An alternative to this method is mentioning your favorite part of the email forward.) , Semi-funny email forwards can be amusing, but they're never quite necessary.
Keep this in mind, and you already have the upper-hand
- you are cooler than the sender (who went out of his/her way to placate you with said whimsical nugget)., If you still haven't managed to formulate an appropriate response, try Googling the title of the email.
Most likely, you'll find a related topic that may spark a great come-back., Still can't think of anything? Nothing seems right? How about you approach the sender in person and follow up? No doubt your facial expressions and body language will make up for the marked lack of cleverness.
A pat on the back, though, might be taking it too far.
About the Author
Angela Harvey
Enthusiastic about teaching organization techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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