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

[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.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

"You are more than welcome to..." is a phrase just like "I'm more than happy to..." is also a phrase

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"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,"

I love those out of office messages. I send an email, instantly receive the message and 9 times out of 10 receive a response to my email in 10 minutes from the out of office person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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?

Phrase it differently. Perhaps you should use the following phrase in your message: "I will return your call as soon as I improve my reading and comprehension skills."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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?

Phrase it differently. Perhaps you should use the following phrase in your message: "I will return your call as soon as I improve my reading and comprehension skills."

Ok but I still don't understand how it's "rude." Maybe not proper English, but rude?

[Anonymous]

Seriously, there have to be 3 or 4 people who keep replying how they thing people with that vmail are rude or ignorant. I don't give much thought to a message when I hear it. However, I don't sit around thinking of ways to insult people, either.