TL;DR

So, another day, another bit of self-awareness. I've uncovered another annoyance I don't like very much about the modern world.

No, wait. It's not really the modern world's fault; it's more mine. But it is exposed and so I have noticed it. Here it is:

I can't bear it when people don't read my emails.

Okay, stop. Let me get this out there first of all - this not a subtle dig at anyone reading this who needs to reply to an email I sent them. As it stands, that has not happened, and I'm not expecting anything from anyone out there! So don't be reading anything into this that isn't there.

But do be reading my emails when I send them! Here's how it normally goes:

I send an email with some information or a question, perhaps to one person, perhaps to a group. Nothing happens. No reply, no acknowledgement, no quick winky face or thank yous - nothing. And that's okay. Actually, I've spent twenty years working out that that can be alright - quite probably a reply will make its way to me eventually, or when I next see one of those non-responders, something will fire their synapses and we'll go through the...

"Rats, forgot to reply to your email. Hey listen, it's [cool/not great with/for me]. Actually I think you're [right/wrong/insane/deluded] and we should chat sometime."

"Oh hey, no worries! It's [fine/not fine/boring into my soul like an icy dagger]."

... conversation.

And that's great! What really gets my goat and crumbles my biscuit though, is the thing that happens when they do reply (or take another action) which absolutely proves to me that they didn't read it.

That pushes my button. Like a steam turbine I gather heat and fume inwardly as though I've swallowed a volcano. I am being deliberately ignored, and I hate that.

STOP! says my brain.

This is a moment of revelation, and there's always a thing you can do when you realise things like this. So, here's my questioning and uncomfortable internal reasoning...

Q. Why do you feel like this?
A. It's disrespectful!

Q. Why is it disrespectful?
A. I deserve more respect.

Q. Do you?
A. Yes, I think so!

Q. So you're offended?
A. Um

Q. Yes?
A. I guess so.

Ouch. There might be a million reasons why someone didn't read my email. It's quite possible that I've even done this myself, when faced with the difficult task of reading a complicated message. In fact, it's almost a certainty that I've failed to listen to someone and done my own thing anyway... isn't it?

So, time for a few actions:

1. Don't react.

I'm resolving to chalk it up to TL;DR* whenever this happens. In fact, this might even encourage me to be more concise. Whatever, I could be less infuriated, if I think about it.

2. Repeat.

I think I'll very calmly just start repeating myself. I guess sometimes information takes a little while to go in, and the best teachers are always the most patient. I'm not aspiring to be a teacher by the way, but I think patience is helpful

3. Be joyful.

Yes. While I'm thinking about patience, it's probably worth throwing in a few of the other fruits too - and joy is best served fresh.

That's a good start, I reckon.

And anyway... why in the world should anybody read right to the end of what I have to say in the first place, as though I were somehow the most interesting, cleverest, most perceptive and entertaining person they know, right?

Right?

Hello?

Anyone there?





*Too long; didn't read.