I'll get back to you "at my earliest convenience". So rude.

[Anonymous]

I agree, OP. They are so high and mighty.

[Anonymous]

Thankfully I have never heard this expressed that way ... not once.

[Anonymous]

This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves. Do people not get how self-centered it sounds in a business environment?

[Anonymous]

My friend said "...next earliest convenience." on his voicemail. Cracked me up every time I heard it.

[Anonymous]

People are way too easily offended

[Anonymous]

And cowardly. It's poor leadership. Grow a pair and have a discussion.

Discussions have been had. This is a monthly deliverable due on the 1st of the month, which has never changed. I have set up calendar reminders for everyone in addition to the discussions we have been required to have. So, now I say "at your earliest convenience."

I'm in a supervisory role. PP, does this even work? I can't imagine it is effective at any level. That kind of language seems to encourage laziness. You might as well say "fall asleep in your chair and never do this task, that's a-ok."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop being hypersensitive

No, I totally agree. I always assume someone who says this is not the brightest and has sort of misinterpreted the phrase. But yes, it sounds so rude!

[Anonymous]

I say "I'll get back to you at my earliest opportunity."

I feel like "earliest convenience" means, when I feel like it and it is convenient for me. But "earliest opportunity" is just that - as soon as I get a chance. Still timely, similar to "as soon as possible" but without the implied rush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I use the phrase "Please [do X] at your earliest convenience" when I am requesting deliverables and trying to be passive-aggressive because nobody has met their deadline.

Your use of the phrase might not be effective, but it isn't rude.

"Please do X at YOUR earliest convenience' is fine... if that's what you mean. It means please do something, as soon as is reasonably convenient to you. Fine.

I will get back to you "at MY earliest convenience" is rude. It means, "I'll get back to you as soon as I feel like it" which is likely true, but rude to admit.


"as soon as possible" would be less rude. "as soon as is convenient to me" - rude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves. Do people not get how self-centered it sounds in a business environment?

I totally agree! I have always just assumed that the person leaving the message does not understand what he/she is saying!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Stop being hypersensitive

+1 I think you are over-thinking this, OP.

NP. I disagree because it is normally used in a work place, which is highly unprofessional and makes the listener think you are rude or stupid or both!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves. Do people not get how self-centered it sounds in a business environment?

I totally agree! I have always just assumed that the person leaving the message does not understand what he/she is saying!

I just assume the person is dumb.

[Anonymous]

Why is this so rude? If someone is a busy person (or even if they aren't) won't they technically be getting back to you at their earliest convenience anyway? At least they are being honest.

[Anonymous]

You all are assuming that the person has mixed up the phrase and is just making an unknowingly rude statement, but the only person I know who really has this as their voicemail message genuinely means it - she will not get back to you unless and until she finds it convenient to do so. Of course, this is her personal message and you should never have this as your auto reply at work, but I have a friend who volunteers a lot of her time and people tend to think that means her time is up for grabs and this is her way of letting people know it's not. It is kind of in-your-face of her to say she'll get back to you at her earliest convenience, which may never come of course, but she means it. She has to draw the line some where or people will never stop asking things of her. If I were in her situation, I'd also stop taking calls.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You all are assuming that the person has mixed up the phrase and is just making an unknowingly rude statement, but the only person I know who really has this as their voicemail message genuinely means it - she will not get back to you unless and until she finds it convenient to do so. Of course, this is her personal message and you should never have this as your auto reply at work, but I have a friend who volunteers a lot of her time and people tend to think that means her time is up for grabs and this is her way of letting people know it's not. It is kind of in-your-face of her to say she'll get back to you at her earliest convenience, which may never come of course, but she means it. She has to draw the line some where or people will never stop asking things of her. If I were in her situation, I'd also stop taking calls.

I have a friend who is horrible about returning calls and feel she is only reading out at her convenience. Actually, she does everything at her convenience. On her voicemail she says as much. LOL! Now I know why.

I once was blind, but now I see.