This episode of 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English discusses the importance of being polite in emails. Many people strive to be civil in their electronic communications, but some individuals are uncivil and rude. A listener shared that she dislikes it when people initiate emails with just her name, without a greeting such as 'hi'. Another person expressed frustration when someone responded to their email with a single emoji, which can make the recipient feel threatened or unsure.
The conversation delves into the realm of emails and the need to maintain a polite tone. Some individuals are impolite in their emails, which can be attributed to stress and feeling frazzled. It is essential to relax before composing an email, especially if one is stressed. Belittling others in emails or making them feel inferior is not conducive to effective communication. Instead, we should strive to help others and avoid making them feel bad. The fight-or-flight response can also contribute to incivility in emails.
The website bbclearningenglish.com offers a wealth of information on communication at work, including a quiz and a worksheet for this episode. By exploring office English and learning about idioms such as 'put someone in their place' and 'get something off your plate', we can improve our email etiquette and become more civil and polite in our digital interactions. This, in turn, can foster a more positive and respectful work environment.
