The other day I received an email from a neighbor asking me to purchase a raffle ticket; it was a fundraiser for a major political party. I responded as follows:
Please remove me from any mailings, etc. that are anything ____________ (party name) related. Thank you.
Oh, by the way I hit reply to all. Now about 50 people knew my party affiliation – as if it was a shock.
Her response to me was “that was not very nice.”
Not very nice I thought? It said please. It said thank you. It was specific as to what type of information I no longer wish to receive. I thought it was direct, clear and concise. What is she whining about?
My response: “What wasn’t nice about my response? I do not think it is nice that you just add me to an email list for all to see; and the
only emails I ever get from you are politically motivated and asking for money.”
She responded with an apology (I’m Sorry with an exclamation point) and questioned if she was now being removed from the guest list for my “After the Holidays Party” each January.
From that exchange of words, I received two private emails from the original list applauding me for my response; and one scolding me for my behavior. So based on that random sample and my memory of statistics and higher mathematics; two-thirds of the list agrees with my position and hates receiving such emails. Or three people need their opinion to be heard?
But it got my juices going on what thought provoking comments I could write about. So in my never-ending battle to get you thinking from every angle, not just your own, here goes…………………………………
I could comment on how it is not a bad thing to toss out a little turmoil every so often just to keep people on their toes, stir up the pot, stand out from the crowd or get people thinking and involved. But I know you are already standing out from the crowd. I know you have created waves in your industry or organization. People know who you are. Right? Let’s face it, being the “Golden Child” is fun, but being the “Bad Boy” has its benefits too!
I could comment on how email communication can often lead people to get annoyed or pissed off at you when they really don’t know you. Let’s face it; without a doubt some of you reading this were thinking that the scenario was going to play out differently. I know you were thinking that I was going to blast her for exposing my email address to the world. I’ve got more important things to worry myself with; so instead I had some fun with my response. And who knows, my email address has my domain name, which might lead someone to my website; which may result in them passing my name along to a meeting planner or purchasing a product from my store? Perhaps having your email address visible is free marketing?
I could comment that maybe she did not know I was being playful and maybe she was annoyed that I replied to everyone on the list and maybe she really is worried that she is off the invite list!
I could comment on the fact that most people do not communicate when things annoy them, but instead have private little trashing sessions about you with co-workers, friends and family. Shame on those people.
I could comment on the fact that when people say things, even when they are being playful or funny, there is probably a hint of truth behind the zing.
I could comment that the three responses might have been other people being playful? Or maybe I did strike a nerve?
So which comments get you thinking? More importantly, which of those comments might get you to look at your relationships and interactions with people and perhaps lead you to react differently in your personal or professional life? Take a moment today to stop and pay attention to people interacting with each other; especially when a conversation takes an awkward turn. Was it really meant to become awkward or was it open to interpretation?
So I know you’re wondering if she is off the list.
Of course not! She knew I was just trying to create a stir and be playful. I knew her first response to me was to keep it going; which is why I call her a friend. As for the other three, I guess I’ll need to reread the above points and decide.
Yesterday she sent me one of those if-you-don’t-pass-this-along-to-ninety-six-of-your-closest-friends-you-will-die-a-horrible-death emails. I hit delete. At least it wasn’t asking for money.
Rich DiGirolamo is a professional speaker from Wolcott, CT. He calls himself The Big Kid and enjoys “making painful processes fun.” To learn more about Rich please visit http://www.richdigirolamo.com or http://www.recessatworkday.com
