Failure to Communicate

Trolling through my favorite muse (Facebook), I saw a post from a friend about email classes being taught in college.

A discussion ensued about the relative merits of communicating via email versus the other snappier methods such as instant messaging.

While I have always espoused the theory that brevity is the better part of valor, I have to take exception to the idea that the best way to communicate is by eliminating vowels and peppering one's messages with emojis.

I cannot tell you the number of times I've received an email communication that has left me scratching my head, wondering what the sender was trying to convey. It was obvious that their fingers did the thinking, that the brain took a powder while the message was being typed.

I hate to sound like a codger here (I know, that ship sailed long ago), but back in the day, when you had to type out every letter of every word, then reread your missive and correct it, all before sending, the world was a better place.

It's all too easy to fall into the trap of firing off an email/text/IM without taking the time to review it to make sure it makes sense. And yes, even I have been guilty of same. But it's not the way the circus should be run. (Monkeys, monkeys everywhere!)

I think teaching email writing is a swell idea, but I would argue this should happen in high school, not college. And that the course should include basic do's and don'ts. For example, do speak in complete sentences with wholly-formed words. Do use correct grammar. Do reread your email before you hit the "send" key. And never -- and I do mean never -- send an email when you're pissed. Write the email, get the bile out of your system, then hit the "delete" key. You'll thank me later.

Also, just to note, a well-written email (or cover letter or résumé) is critical if you are applying for a job that is centered around communications. Please, for the love of God, understand the difference between "your" and "you're." It's not that hard, it really isn't.

For those who think the business world is stuffy and that we should get on board with instant communication, well, I don't think we're quite there yet.

And if you send me a message with a lot of gobbledygook, don't expect me to take the time to try to figure out what you're trying to say.

I may be a codger, but I can hit the delete key with the best of them.