Report suggests phrases to avoid if you don’t want to sound passive-aggressive
Posted September 23, 2021 11:11 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A recent CNBC report suggested the tone of emails is misinterpreted almost half the time, so if you’d like to tone down the passive-aggressive in your missives, there are certain phrases you should probably avoid.
How about, “for future reference”? What it sounds like you’re saying is “let me correct your blatant mistake that you already knew was wrong.” If you write, “bumping this to the top of your inbox” it comes off as, “Hey, you’re my boss. This is the third time I’ve asked. You need to get this stuff done!”
Then there’s, “per my last email.” It sounds like you’re saying, “hey, you didn’t really read what I wrote. Pay attention this time.”
And typing, “going forward…” is pretty clearly a veiled way to say, “don’t you ever do that again.”
The experts say avoid these phrases in your emails. But on the flip side, always assume good intent in emails you receive, and even if it’s obviously passive-aggressive, lowering your response to their level only escalates the tension.
And never write or reply to an email when you’re upset.
