I will get back to you at my earliest convenience - ?!WTF

[Anonymous]

Somehow, the message, "Please get back to me at your earliest convenience" has popped up on people's responses and outgoing messages as "I will get back to you at my earliest convenience"!!! WTF people. Do you realize this is ignorant and yer tryin to sound fancee?

Just say, I will get back to you as soon as possible. "At my earliest convenience" does not convey what you think it does...

(sorry for all the crazy punctuation! I'm getting this one out quickly so that I can get my pulse back down to normal)

[Anonymous]

You're taking this wayyyyyyyyyyyy too far and might need to step away from the email at your earliest convenience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You're taking this wayyyyyyyyyyyy too far and might need to step away from the email at your earliest convenience.

+1. Take a deep breath, OP, it'll be alright.

[Anonymous]

They mean they will call back when it is convenient for them. In fact, they will do so as soon as it is convenient for them.

[Anonymous]

LOL

[Anonymous]

It's hilarious though

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They mean they will call back when it is convenient for them. In fact, they will do so as soon as it is convenient for them.

They will but they are not supposed to state that. They are getting mixed up on the proper messaging.

[Anonymous]

What exactly is wrong with their message? I've heard that tons of times on recordings and never thought anything of it. I mean, it's voicemail, they aren't there, they will call me back. What else is there to think about?

[Anonymous]

It's so rude! I totally agree with the OP. Of course I know someone will get back to me when it is most convenient for them, but they don't need to state that explicitly. I think it is much more polite and subtle to say something like, "I am away from the office and will return on X date. I will respond to your email upon my return." or something like that.

[Anonymous]

I will read this thread the next time I am sitting on the toilet for a period of time sufficient to review all posts. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

TEE-HEE, PP. You captured it beautifully!

[Anonymous]

You're, it IS rude.

[Anonymous]

I hate this too, OP. One of my clients has this on his voice mail message and I think "what an idiot" every time I hear him.

[Anonymous]

I know OP. The first time I heard this a few years ago I guffawed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What exactly is wrong with their message? I've heard that tons of times on recordings and never thought anything of it. I mean, it's voicemail, they aren't there, they will call me back. What else is there to think about?

It's used in a similar way to "if you please."

In response to "would you like for me to call you back?" you might say, "if you please." You would not, however, say "I'll call you back if I please."

"Would you like for me to call you back?"
"Yes, please, at your earliest convenience."

NOT

"I will call you back at my earliest convenience."