Two words – “Okay, thanks” or another derivative “Thank you.” Why is it so difficult for some people to use those two words?
When you let someone cut in during a traffic jam, don’t you expect the other driver to give you “the wave”? It’s the universal “Thank You” signal from driver to driver. I don’t mind letting cars in once in a while – as I believe in that whole karma thing. But admittedly, I’ve heard myself utter “The wave. You’re supposed to do the wave.” if I happen to let a car sneak in front of me and I don’t get “the wave.” They’re just supposed to say “Thank You.”
Likewise if someone takes a moment to hold the door open for you – it’s assumed that you will utter “thank you” to the person who just took 8 seconds out of his or her day to ensure the door was not shut in your face.
The same goes for online etiquette. Why is it so difficult for some people to email you back after you provide a response to say, “Thank you” or “Okay, thanks.” I agree there comes a point where the email banter needs to come to a conclusion – thank you, no thank You, no really, thank You – that is a bit redundant.
However I cannot tell you the number of times that I receive an email from someone, either a peer, customer or a potential recruit asking for information. I love questions; I have no problem responding. Yet when I respond in detail, sometimes multiple paragraphs explaining whatever information it was that the requester was after, many, many times I do not get so much as a two word response – “Okay, thanks!”
I don’t think it’s asking too much for a courteous response to acknowledge receipt of the information. It’s not like I’m hoping for a lengthy dissertation of gratitude. But c’mon people – no response at all? That’s just downright rude and unprofessional.
Busy, busy, busy – yes, I know. Everyone is busy. People are far too busy to meet for coffee; far too busy to pick up the phone – but too busy to type two words?
If you’re really that busy, and I know none of YOU are that busy, because you’d never take the time to read all of these words if you were too busy to say, “Okay, thanks” – but if you’re really so busy that you don’t have time to be polite, then perhaps I should be asking you, “How may I help?” Because if you’re too busy for manners, then you definitely need some help setting priorities or something!
Make this one little change and you will see your business soar. You’ll be perceived as more warm and welcoming – a trait people prefer when doing business.
About the Author: Laurie Ayers is a Michigan work from home mom and a Superstar Director with Scentsy Wickless Candles. She enjoys helping men and women start and maintain a home based business in the US, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Puerto Rico, Spain, Poland, France, Germany, Ireland and the UK. To download a FREE Start Up Guide which provides more details about how to start a home business as well as to learn about our compensation plan go to https://www.thrivingcandlebusiness.com/how-to-start-a-candle-business/
Tara Burner says
7 November 2008 at 06:57OMG were we on the same mental path or what? Yesterday I sent numerous follow up emails to people who either expressed interest in biz, or were sponsoring contests to make sure they received the information I sent since I hadn’t heard a word in response to my emails. If one doesn’t get a simple “thanx, thank you, thanks” the sending party wonders if the receiver even received said email. It takes two secs to send a “thanks”.
You, as always, hit the nail on the head with this post!