Someone on this list recently sent me links about Netiquette & Top Posting, said they didn't know what I meant by etiquette, and maybe should have read the content of the links themselves before sending them ....
----------------------------------------------------------------------- Netiquette & Etiquette: "When someone makes a mistake -- whether it's a spelling error or a spelling flame, a stupid question or an unnecessarily long answer -- be kind about it. If it's a minor error, you may not need to say anything. Even if you feel strongly about it, think twice before reacting. Having good manners yourself doesn't give you license to correct everyone else. If you do decide to inform someone of a mistake, point it out politely, and preferably by private email rather than in public. Give people the benefit of the doubt; assume they just don't know any better. And never be arrogant or self-righteous about it. Just as it's a law of nature that spelling flames always contain spelling errors, notes pointing out Netiquette violations are often examples of poor Netiquette." (S. Virginia, Netiquette.(1997) http://www.albion.com/netiquette/book/index.html) If you were in an office would you shout out your grievances for everyone to hear, or take the person to one side that you had an issue with and have a word? When communicating a grievance it's more acceptable to speak to that person separately and it's also advisable to use a common language that everyone will understand, not just the few. To do both of these is often referred to as good "etiquette" whether you are in a business environment or social environment, and they transfer just as easily to the internet & email lists. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Top Posting Link: When I read it it just clarified that it's not uncommon to use top posting; in fact it's seen as the norm in most cases, especially in common email clients such as GMail and Outlook, so I was left confused...? I've never run into issues with using GMail before. When it comes to posting styles, I often find it harder to follow interleaving & bottom posting as I am slightly dyslexic and have issues with tones of colour (rare for a woman), thus I find it hard separating the original message from the reply. It's easier for me to focus on the straight reply, but you don't find me complaining, so what is the common ground? As I explained, I'd checked my email settings and couldn't find the setting to change my email. If anyone knows where the setting is that I need to select and is willing to help without getting rude & unpleasant with me, please email me back on my email address and advise me and I'd be more than willing to try it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Little bit of advice - take it or leave it: When communicating with anyone on that little island known as the United Kingdom, it's best to keep this in mind: I know we're seen as a funny bunch and often disliked wherever we go due to historical reasons (all beyond my control), but the English as a whole are a nation who do not take too kindly to having a load of acronyms quoted at them at the best of times, but even more so when it is in anger. That just rubs us up the wrong way and we become even more head strong and are unlikely to co-operate. Acronyms on the whole are discouraged as they are seen as a throw back to previous decades in the 20th century of vulgarity and are often ridiculed on TV & radio over here as they are seen as a lazy use of language and really annoying. Anyone who has, on syndication, heard commentators on the BBC's World Service radio, domestic radio, or seen the "Grumpy Old Men" or "Grumpy Old Women" (TV shows that interview people about what really annoys them about everyday life) will know what I mean. Acronyms just aren't liked, whether they are widely known or not. Don't get me wrong, occasionally they are used and some have crept into our everyday language and are acceptable, but we don't litter our vocabulary with them. However, whilst I realise PC/SMS speech is common amongst anyone born from the 1980s onwards, please remember not everyone uses it, especially people born way back in the 70s when riding a chopper bicycle and watching Starsky & Hutch was seen as more cool. Thank you very much Best wishes Claire Wood
