The votes are in and the answer is… just kidding. I don’t think we’ll ever figure that one out. And it doesn’t matter because e-mail is here to stay. Let’s face it, we all love it. It ensures that we will always be busy: writing e-mails, answering e-mails, and then answering the answers that came in while you were answering another e-mail. See how much fun we’re having?

It’s e-mail etiquette that we really need to learn, remember, teach our staff, teach our children, then remind ourselves again over and over or else this can happen. Here are the “rules” that spring to my mind:

• Always, always, always check the “To:” box before pressing “Send”
• Never respond to an e-mail with another e-mail if someone is upset or angry
• Use e-mail when multiple people require information that needs to be in writing
• Do not use e-mail when the information is just as easily communicated verbally
• Do not put information in an e-mail that you wouldn’t print out and post on the refrigerator for all to see (i.e. hurtful or confidential info).

I’m sure you have more e-mail rules to live by. If you have some good ones to remember, please share!