Digital Thanks
Digital Era Etiquette
Sometime last week, I came across Nick Bilton’s New York Times Bits blog post, “Disruptions: Digital Era Redefining Etiquette.” (Link provided below.) Bilton argues against the use of voice mail or email, especially when thanking someone, because these forms of communication waste the time of people otherwise drowning in digital communications.
Bilton wrote of his experiences communicating (or not) with his parents:
My father learned this lesson (that voice mail annoys Nick) last year after leaving me a dozen voice mail messages, none of which I listed to. Exasperated, he called my sister to complain that I never returned his calls. “Why are you leaving him voice mails?” my sister asked. “No one listens to voice mail anymore. Just text him.”
My mother realized this long ago. Now we communicate mostly through Twitter.
Bilton’s column generated loads of reaction much of which decried his behavior as rude and dismissive. Interestingly, another New York Times writer, who followed up on the controversy, noted that Bilton is not opposed to thanking people. In fact, the author reportedly believes in using old-fashioned technology, like pen and paper, to regularly hand write thank-you cards.
Read Nick’s blog at: http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/10/etiquette-redefined-in-the-digital-age/
What Do You Need to Know?
Interns, summer associates and new hiresshould not dismiss or ignore any form of communication. When someone leaves a voice mail message, for heaven’s sake, respond with a quick phone call. Flexing to another’s preferred method of communication sets you aside as a true professional and one who understands basic business etiquette.
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