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

[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.

[Anonymous]

*reading = reaching

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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

Well explained.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

What a bitch! I use it when they have done time. If they are overdue, then I ask for an updated timeline of when I should expect it. Passive agressiveness causes confusion and makes you look like a short-sighted bitch.

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."

Nobody is saying they aren't wrong to be late. But you are handling it wrong. Say what you mean because you look like an ineffective idiot when you don't. Tell them. I needed it by yesterday, by when will I get it? Generally, you should never, ever try to be passive aggressive. There are zero benefits and your wimpiness in employing the tactic makes you a terrible leader.

PP again, have already tried the alternatives. This has been going on for over 10 months, every month. I'm not in a leadership role, actually, which is why I think no one takes the deadline seriously.

And you never will be if you think that passive aggressiveness is a useful tool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

+1

[Anonymous]

Ok, so.....what should one say instead? I'll get back to you in an hour? 2 hours? Next week? Do you want people to be specific with a time or just phrase it differently?

[Anonymous]

I hate this too! it's one of those examples of people trying to sound sophisticated and ending up sounding ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Say: I will return your call as soon as possible.

[Anonymous]

"I will be out of the office, returning on XXX, with limited/no access to phone/email. Replies may be delayed in my absence, but I will return your message as soon as possible.

Best/Thanks,"

[Anonymous]

This reminds me of one of the habits of a former manager, which was to say "I'm more than welcome to" do something. So, "I'm more than welcome to stop by your office and discuss this further."

I knew she had just mashed "I'm more than happy to" and "you're more than welcome to," but the result was like nails on a chalkboard every time she said it.

[Anonymous]

Things I learned on DCUM:

1) Everything offends someone, no matter how trivial or silly.
2) People need to "vent" or "rant" these offenses as if others care.
3) In making such vents or rants of what annoys them, any useful advice is quickly overcome by the use of slurs and nastiness. This thread is no exception.