Comments on: If you want to be a professional, please write back.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 03:08:09 +0000

I would have done the same thing you did. You can only help people so much before they need to help themselves and show initiative. I am a graphic designer and sometimes I will ask people questions about their project in an e-mail and they will ignore me sometimes too. I keep asking them until I receive an answer or I call them on the phone. To me, it’s always been customary to get back to people within a day or so and if I didn’t I tell them what happened or sorry I’m late responding. It’s only common courtesy.

By: Toma

Toma — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:18:42 +0000

I have the same problem with a vendor of mine. When I submit my order via email, I receive no email back even acknowledging the order has been received. Is it so difficult to just write a few words? “Thank you for your order, expect shipment in 1 week”. So I always have to email this company to see if they even received the order and the one time I didn’t do that, my order was never processed until 2 weeks later. Where has common courtesy and common sense gone these days? I agree, I guess they don’t need my business that badly.

By: Ask a Manager

Ask a Manager — Tue, 12 May 2009 00:36:28 +0000

Yes, yes, yes! And I remember it FOREVER when people do this.

By: Valérie

Valérie — Mon, 11 May 2009 15:10:28 +0000

I totally agree with you. Nothing is more frustrating than someone who never write back or even call back. I can sometimes get really busy but i try at least twice a week and more to arrange a time slot to answer all the emails or call i didn’t have time to reply. It is a matter of politeness and respect I think. I agree as well with Ashley about punctuality.

By: AshleyCrimaldi

AshleyCrimaldi — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:59:21 +0000

Similarly, if you have a meeting with someone (no matter HOW informal) always show up on time, and follow up with a thank you e-mail.

By: Dawn Bugni

Dawn Bugni — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:58:51 +0000

AMEN!!! Where did our manners go?

I don’t expect a “thanks, that was funny” for every joke I forward, but when I take my time to research, compile and provide information (charge or no charge) or follow-up with someone I’m paying, I expect at least a acknowledgment of receipt or a timely response.

I don’t help for the thank-you, but it sure would be nice if people thought of someone other than themselves once in awhile and at least sent a “got it” email back, indicating they’re received information I perceived as important to them.

I, like you, have stopped referring people who don’t quite get the basic tenants of common courtesy and communication. And like you, I vote with my consumer dollars, recessionary time or not. If a vendor doesn’t value my business enough to communicate and respond, I’ll find one that does.

OK … I’m off my (and your) soapbox now. I’m all for starting a “Common courtesy” movement, ‘coz, sadly, common courtesy isn’t that common anymore.