TresSugar

Where Do You Stand? We-Mail

DearSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:00:00 -0800

I'm sure you've all heard of we-mail by now, but if you're unfamiliar with the term, it's simply a shared email address couples use in lieu of individual ones. While the idea is kind of cute, it makes it almost impossible to have a confidential conversation with someone besides your significant other. Sure, it's great for making plans, paying bills, and coordinating work events, but I'd take privacy over convenience any day of the week.

We-mail seems to be catching on fast, so tell me, where do you stand on sharing an email address with your significant other?

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WTF?!

GiggleSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:00:00 -0800

It's like MySpace: AT&T wants to look popular, so they maintain a long email list of "friends," whom they never correspond with. It's so tenth grade.

Source

Handle This: Mixing Business With Pleasure

DearSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0800

Welcome to DearSugar's new feature: Handle This. I'm going to give you a hypothetical scenario and ask you to tell me how you would handle it in the comments below. Let's give it a whirl.

You have had a crush on your co-worker ever since you started working for the company six months ago. He was in a serious relationship, but you found out they broke up over the Thanksgiving weekend. Your group of friends at work know about your crush and are all for you two hooking up now that he is single.

You just received a flirtatious e-mail from him, and you forwarded it to the girls to get their input on what you should write back. Just as you hit send, your stomach turned - you hit reply instead of forward! Your crush was the one that got the e-mail, not your friends. Once you get a grasp of what you just did, tell me how you would handle outing yourself to your work crush?

Source

The How-To Lounge: Coping with Excessive E-mail

DearSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 10:00:00 -0700

In this technical day and age, e-mail is a part of our everyday life. We are so married to our e-mail that every new phone has the ability to be wireless so everyone can stay connected even if they are away from their desks. But with so many e-mails inundating your inbox, it's hard to keep your head screwed on straight. Below are some tips to help you stay afloat when your e-mail inbox is overflowing with messages.

Click here to read more

According to new research, the average Outlook business user receives 470 e-mails a week and spends 15 hours dealing with them. Predictions state that by 2009, workers will spend 41 percent of their time reading and responding to e-mails -- so when are you supposed to do your day job?
It's pretty clear that we all receive entirely too much e-mail, so take the appropriate steps to weed out unnecessary messages. Take your name off distribution mailing lists from stores, news updates, concert updates, etc.
If you haven't already, have your IT department set up a spam block so you don't get bogged down with junk mail
Limit the number of e-mail accounts you have active. It's recommended to have one business account and one personal account. The more accounts you have, the more spam and junk mail you will receive
Create a method when going through your e-mails. Some people think it's easier to flag important messages and deal with them later while others like to read each e-mail only once, deal with it, and delete it or file it away, never to be looked at again. Whatever system works for you, stick to it. Organization is key
When it comes to e-mail etiquette, less is more. You're not alone if you feel overwhelmed by your inbox, so try to send the least amount of e-mails as possible, and be respectful of who you CC
Many times people respond back to a rhetorical e-mail just to confirm to you that they received it. If you don't need the confirmation, add a notation at the bottom of the message, NRN, standing for No Response Needed
The e-mails are going to keep coming, so trying to constantly stay on top of them is close to impossible. Give yourself a break, turn off your BlackBerry every once in a while, turn your out of office on if you need the silence in order to get your work done, and when you go on vacation, go on vacation!

I hope these tips are helpful, and like always, if you have any other suggestions, please share them in the comments below!

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Dear Poll: Do you Use your Work E-Mail to Engage in Less than Professional Banter?

DearSugar — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:00:00 -0700

These days, working professionals are spending more time behind their desks than with their loved ones. With that said, communicating with the opposite sex over the internet is the easiest way to date, make plans, get caught up, and even simply flirt. I think we can all agree that it makes your day fly by when you carry on some fun, playful banter with your new crush -- but what about engaging in unprofessional conversations over your work e-mail? We all know every keystroke you make on your work computer is recorded, but what I want to know is, do you still engage in less than professional conversation over company e-mail?

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The How-to Lounge: E-Mail Etiquette

DearSugar — Thu, 17 May 2007 09:45:00 -0700

The digital age has completely taken over and e-mail has become many people's main way of communication. While it is a great way to correspond, it is very easy to misconstrue voice, tone, and implication when you can't look or hear the person on the other end of the message. In this How-to Lounge, I am going to give you some pointers to help avoid misinterpreting e-mails.

Click here to read more

Be concise and to the point. You don't want your e-mails to go on too long or else they won't be read. On the flip side, don't be too short or your message could be perceived as rude or impolite
If you are returning an e-mail, make sure you answer all the questions being asked, and ask the appropriate questions if need be
Always be sure to check your spelling and punctuation. Carelessness is very unprofessional
While it is impossible to promptly answer every e-mail, all messages should be returned within 24 hours
For business e-mails, address your recipient and sign accordingly
Always include the original message in a response. Oftentimes it is crucial to read the entire e-mail chain
Be sure to re-read your message before sending and avoid using capital letters as it will translate as yelling
Know your audience and avoid using punctuation, web lingo and emoticons to those who will not understand what you are trying to say
Do not abuse reply all or blind copying. People are inundated with e-mails, so the least amount of messages they receive, the more inclined they will be to reply in a timely manor
Remember that e-mail is never 100% private. While it is fun to flirt, gossip and make plans over e-mail, be aware that your correspondence is considered company property

It's hard to believe we were once, not that long ago, without e-mails, so while they are a terrific way to communicate, make sure not to use your keypad as an excuse to avoid personal contact!

Source

Group Therapy: I hit reply instead of forward!!!!!

Tue, 24 Apr 2007 03:00:00 -0700

I was casually seeing a guy for about 2 months when things went south. Nothing happened per se, we just became more and more distant although we still keep in touch, occasional text messages and e-mails. The other day, I received an e-mail from him playing his same old game, being vague while stringing me along. So, I forward his message to a girlfriend, adding my own commentary in the new message (talking a bunch of smack of course), and pressed send.

Almost an hour later I hadn't heard back from my friend, so I called her to make sure she received it. Well, she hadn't, and to my HORROR, I had accidentally hit reply instead of forward!!! Not only am I utterly mortified, but now I feel like I let him get the best of me. How will I ever be able to show my face again? We have the same extended group of friends and I all I want to do is crawl under a rock and never come out!

Has this happened to anyone else? Please tell me what to do here!

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To be involved in more GROUP THERAPY, click here]

How To Hit On Someone Via E-mail

GiggleSugar — Tue, 03 Apr 2007 11:10:00 -0700

So you met that special someone at a bar the other night and wish to send an electronic word of hello. But what to say? Whether you're a guy or gal, you second guess yourself in matters of the heart and for good reason-- although it's important to know what to say in this kind of e-mail, it's more important to know what NOT to say. And so begins the plight of Lev...

Monk-E-Mail

GiggleSugar — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:16:56 -0800

You've already elfed yourself, so how can you waste away another day at work? Send monk-e-mails to coworkers, friends, and you can even go bananas on your boss, if you dare. Once you choose your chimp, don't be surprised if he or she starts talking back at you. Once you play dress-up and add your own audio greeting, you're ready to send. I monkeyed around with some of the pre-recorded greetings and mischievously mailed "butt kisser" monk-e-mails to a few of my very deserving coworkers.

And speaking of butt kissers, I must admit that I'm posting this with you in mind, bluejeanie! You want a monkey in a hat? Make your own and send it to me!

Proper E-Mail Etiquette

DearSugar — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:40:59 -0700

Dear Sugar
I have a couple of questions about the proper rules of e-mail. I am 37 and have really just started to embrace my computer after being a stay at home mom with four young kids. I've never really had the time to use it, but now that I am working part time, there are definitely a few things I am unsure of.

For example, is it impolite not to respond to every message that I get? Also, is it acceptable to forward e-mails? Lastly, it seems like everyone is so short with each other over e-mail. It's really hard to tell sometimes when/if someone is being rude. Is my perception correct, or is this just the new way to write? Out Dated Daisy

To see DEARSUGAR's answer read more

Dear Out Dated Daisy
These are excellent questions for those of us at any age. We all use computers, and it's never too late to remind ourselves of the proper ways to conduct our behavior...even if it is via e-mail. Here are my answers to your questions.

No, you definitely do not have to respond to each and every e-mail that you get. Think of e-mail the same way you think of getting a phone message or a letter in the mail. You have the right to pick and choose the messages you deem important. However, it is quite simple to send a note of courtesy. So when in doubt, send a short, polite note back.

Forwarding e-mails is dangerous. If something was sent just to you, then it was meant just for you. Would you ever pass around a personal handwritten letter? It would feel very wrong, and that is because it's a betrayal. Now, there are of course exceptions. Group schedules, links, funny stories/jokes etc... are all OK to send around. This is just the kind of thing that makes e-mail an easy and wonderful asset to our lives.

Oftentimes, it does seem like everyone is short on e-mail. People tend to rush offline and you can hide behind your computer and say things that you wouldn't necessarily say face to face. Some helpful advice is to read the message before you send it. Many times, people don't even bother to check what they are sending and they become embarrassed and regret the message later on. Also, be careful with humor and sarcasm. It can be misinterpreted since tone and fluctuation is difficult to transmit online. Good luck.