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.

That’s dumb. As a long time manager, if something is urgent or time sensitive, I tell people that as well as the downstream impacts of delay. If something is truly “get to it when you can”, I also communicate where it falls within the other priorities for our team and what the date or trigger event is that will cause the task to switch from “nice to have” to “get it done”.

Anonymous wrote:I did a google search on this topic and found this space. To say ‘I will get back you at my earliest convenience’ isnt appropriate and can be taken as rude. The original way the phrase was always used was to say ‘Please get back to me at YOUR earliest convenience.’ That is a polite way to say that you are looking forward to hearing from you but dont want to be pushy. The more people use this wrong, the more it will become acceptable. It will forever come off as impolite to my ears.

Yes- it's more of the ignorant people trying to sound smart but they are too stupid to figure out how words work and they get it wrong.

Like misusing "myself" and "yourself"

And yes, I also fear that this will become the norms in speech. Good thread bump.

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

Speaking of common things that few people notice are kinda insulting, how about when you thank a clerk, cashier, or waitress for something extremely ordinary like giving you a menu or handing you a receipt, and their reply is “No problem.” No $hit it’s NO PROBLEM…it’s part of your job & the very LEAST you could do. It would be a problem if you DIDN’T do it.

But if it’s something that’s not expected, like bringing you extra napkins when she sees you spilled something on your lap, then “no problem” is a perfectly fine response.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

Got it. Made sense.

I did a google search on this topic and found this space. To say ‘I will get back you at my earliest convenience’ isnt appropriate and can be taken as rude. The original way the phrase was always used was to say ‘Please get back to me at YOUR earliest convenience.’ That is a polite way to say that you are looking forward to hearing from you but dont want to be pushy. The more people use this wrong, the more it will become acceptable. It will forever come off as impolite to my ears.

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?

It’s enough to just say please leave a message. The person leaving the message will make it clear whether they’d like you to call them back.

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Anonymous wrote:

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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???

Who is offended? Father time? Grammar is relevant every day. So is I'd Hit That Thursday. So is the Donut Lady. And everyone has an eagle snafu when lightly frying their tuna. Clearly you missed the point of these asparagus tips.

Have fun with that.

“I’ll get back to you as soon as I get a chance”

Done.