Email Etiquette - 'Netiquette'  

Tips On How and When To Use Email ...and When Not To

Email Etiquette - 'Netiquette'

Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Advice Seeker: Dear April Masini,

I have family across the country, with relatives in New York, Georgia and California. When it comes to important family news and event updates, I always head straight to email. It's so much easier to hit everyone at once. However my sister has told me recently that she realizes I am a busy mother, but the emails feel impersonal. When is it not okay to send an email?

Sincerely,

E-mailing Mom 


April Masini's advice:

Dear E-mailing Mom, 

 E-mail is incredibly quick, efficient and accessible. It's changed lives around the world because of the way it's made communications easier. But e-mail etiquette is important! When your own sister tells you that your messages have grown impersonal, perhaps it's time you brush up on your netiquette.

 When Not To Use E-mail

1. Never tell anyone about a death, using e-mail. This kind of announcement should be done in person or by telephone. Even a written letter sent by snail mail is better than e-mail -- as long as time is not of the essence.

2. Never break up by e-mail. It's just plain rude because it doesn't allow a response. It also invites an angry one way response, as an alternative reaction. Either way, it's not a very humane way to convey what is usually a painful message.

3. Never use e-mail to say  "I love you" for the first time. Cowardly  is what that is. Those three little words are important -- especially when uttered to a loved one for the very first time. If you are the recipient of that first time message by e-mail, look out for commitment issues ahead! 

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April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.