What does ASAP mean to you?

[Anonymous]

I thought it’s obvious since it literally an acronym for “As soon as possible” meaning NOT right away, but when you get a round to it. I used this in an email to a staff member and he panicked because he read this as right away. Gave me an attitude because apparently he had a lot of stuff that needs to do first. I did not understand what we was going on about at first, until he explained it was because I said ASAP and that meant now? I explained back that this is not what it meant and that if he needs to do something right now then I would have said so.

So, this got me into thinking, do people actually think ASAP is equal to Now? I thought that is possible because people misuse “Do you mind?” all the time, I barely hear people answer properly to that question.

What do you think?

[Anonymous]

It means really soon. Without delay. Do it now.

[Anonymous]

Yes, in current culture it means right now, not when I find the time. There's an urgency to ASAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It means really soon. Without delay. Do it now.

As in, as soon as you can. Not when you do everything and get around to it.

[Anonymous]

Your employer is more accurate than you. It means the soonest possible time, which includes now if that is possible. It definitely does not mean when you get around to it. It means highest priority. You are not using it correctly.

[Anonymous]

It definitely does NOT mean "when you get a round to it."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, in current culture it means right now, not when I find the time. There's an urgency to ASAP.

Why are you saying “current culture” as if it used to mean something else? This is what it has always meant. I have no idea how OP misinterpreted so completely.

[Anonymous]

How does “as soon as possible” translate to “whoever you get around to it” in your mind?

[Anonymous]

From Collins Dictionary: "asap is an abbreviation for `as soon as possible.'

The colonel ordered, "I want two good engines down here asap.""

(Note that the colonel wouldn't mean, "whenever you get around to it.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does “as soon as possible” translate to “whoever you get around to it” in your mind?

OP here. To clarify “When you get around to it”- I meant you do this thing once you got around to your other priorities.

Clearly, we are not unanimous about asap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does “as soon as possible” translate to “whoever you get around to it” in your mind?

OP here. To clarify “When you get around to it”- I meant you do this thing once you got around to your other priorities.

Clearly, we are not unanimous about asap.

We are unanimous except for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does “as soon as possible” translate to “whoever you get around to it” in your mind?

OP here. To clarify “When you get around to it”- I meant you do this thing once you got around to your other priorities.

Clearly, we are not unanimous about asap.

We are unanimous except for you.

+1

[Anonymous]

Its just more polite than saying NOW.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does “as soon as possible” translate to “whoever you get around to it” in your mind?

OP here. To clarify “When you get around to it”- I meant you do this thing once you got around to your other priorities.

Clearly, we are not unanimous about asap.

Everyone here is in agreement except you. You are completely wrong in your interpretation of the expression.

[Anonymous]

So when you are working on a priority item that is due within an hour and you get an email that is asap, you just drop what you are doing?

I never have ghis issue with my other coworkers and when I’m the one on the receiving end U always ask about the urgency when U’m eirking on a priority item, and I always get the answer that they don’t need it right away.