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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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?

It's exactly like saying: I will return your call when it's convenient for me.

That's rude.

[Anonymous]

I think it would be rude if the person realized what they were saying. But of course they don't.

Instead, it makes a person sound uneducated.

[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]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Seriously. I don't care either. IF someone says to me, "I'll get back to you at my earliest convenience," I think, "Ok, good, thanks," and that's it. No more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

It's exactly like saying: I will return your call when it's convenient for me.

That's rude.

Exactly- it's better to text person in question to ask them what time it would be convenient to return thir call. Or give them a window of when they might expect their call returned. Leaving someone hanging endlessly by the phone is incredibly rude.

[Anonymous]

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."

Great. We agree the 1st as a recurring due date doesn't work for me. I will respond when it is convenient for me. Just so happens it took a few years.

[Anonymous]

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."

So what you SHOULD be saying is "Please [do X] on or before the calendar deadline." What is the consequence for non-submissions?

[Anonymous]

I feel so embarrassed for people when I hear this. It’s like saying “you’re pleased to meet me” or “it would be your pleasure!”

However, I do think it’s usually just people who aren’t careful with words and have mangled the wel known “at your convenience” rather than prima Donna behavior.

[Anonymous]

I like it. It is grammatically correct. To me, it means as soon as possible. Obviously, if there is an emergency, you can assume the person will respond as urgently as possible, even if not convenient. I don't want someone responding to me unless it is a convenient time fo do so, given the priority and the person's other obligations. It's a boundary and its good.

[Anonymous]

I say it, and I mean it. Most people’s requests are not as important as they think they are. I’ll prioritize my own work based on what else I have to do, thank you. I absolutely will get back to you at MY convenience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like it. It is grammatically correct. To me, it means as soon as possible. Obviously, if there is an emergency, you can assume the person will respond as urgently as possible, even if not convenient. I don't want someone responding to me unless it is a convenient time fo do so, given the priority and the person's other obligations. It's a boundary and its good.

^^ Person who says "at my earliest convenience" ^^

Convenience means no one is a priority but you. If you're going to be a douche, at least say, "at the earliest opportunity".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I say it, and I mean it. Most people’s requests are not as important as they think they are. I’ll prioritize my own work based on what else I have to do, thank you. I absolutely will get back to you at MY convenience.

You, mah lady, I like. Own it. I can dig it.

[Anonymous]

For the people who say it, do you at least acknowledge that it is a twist in the much more common and widely accepted “at your convenience?” Because that’s weird but ok, it’s just better if you know it’s not the way that phrase is meant to go and many people find it really off-putting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know how people warped the whole "Please get back to me at your earliest convenience" into messages where they say "I'll get back to you at my earliest convenience". But it's astonishingly rude sounding and ignorant sounding.

If any of you have this on your outgoing message, do you realize the difference?

Here's a good post about it too.
http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blogs/at-your-earliest-convenience

I love ASAP because ASAP for me might be 30 years from now.

[Anonymous]

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."

Great. We agree the 1st as a recurring due date doesn't work for me. I will respond when it is convenient for me. Just so happens it took a few years.

Hey idiot, do you realize it's RUDE to resurrect a SIX YEAR OLD thread for no reason whatsoever???