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Please Don’t Yell at Me via Email

By
Real Estate Agent with Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado CRE# 40005863

Please Don’t Yell at Me via Email

 

For some of us who spend much of our lives in the electronic world, we know the proper etiquette when it comes to emailing and texting.  Long ago, I learned that I only use all CAPS when I am trying to get a point across loudly (as loud as you can communicate electronically). 

 

I have some clients who really don’t spend much time on their computers.  They don’t have their email set up on their phone and check it on their computer maybe once a day.  I can’t imagine a world where emails don’t push through to my phone.  It might be nice, but I would never get anything done in a timely fashion.

 email

Yesterday I received another email from a client of mine on my phone.  As I glanced down at the quick snip, I said “please quit yelling at me.”  My husband was within ear shot and said “I’m not yelling at you”. 

 

Obviously I was talking to the sender of the email.  Everything ALL CAPS ALL THE TIME.  It kind of hurt my eyes to read this non-confrontational message because my brain has been conditioned to take translate messages in a whole different way. 

 

I don’t know if I should say something to him or just adapt (temporarily).  Of course, if I say something, it will be humorous and not critical.  But I’m not put on this earth to guide people down the proper email etiquette path, so maybe I should just take a deep breath and let it out slowly.

 

What would you do?

 

 

Comments(21)

Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Oh Dick Greenberg you are such a safe player.  Of course you are right, but my hair may be on end by the time we get to closing.  lol

Jun 10, 2015 03:44 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

If it's a client, e-mail is welcomed in any format. 

You'll survive this too.

 

Jun 10, 2015 03:44 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Yes Lenn Harley you are right.  I will just have to wear my special glasses that change the case on emails before my brain processes them. 

Jun 10, 2015 03:48 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

Belinda-There is an old saying that this too shall pass. Unless you are familiar with CAPS being yelling you don't know. I remember many years ago. I didn't know it.   Most people that use a computer all the time for business know the etiquette.

Jun 10, 2015 03:53 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Belinda- this is funny.  A good friend used to type all of her emails in caps.  No particular reason, she just did. 

Jun 10, 2015 03:56 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

I know exactly what you're talking about! I have a few people that send all caps emails frequently. It actually makes it harder to read in my opinion. 

Jun 10, 2015 03:56 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

If I have a client who only checks their email once a day on a computer and I need something in a timely manner I pick up the phone and call them. I communicate with many clients who prefer phone calls to email or texts and they set the method, not me.

I've always thought all caps meaning you were yelling was stupid.  Who thinks up these rules anyway?  Teenagers?  Yeah, that doesn't work for me. 

Jun 10, 2015 04:03 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Belinda -- since it's a client, I'd likely go with the flow and not say anything --- I bet they don't have a clue that writing in ALL CAPS is considered yelling.  

Jun 10, 2015 04:25 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

BELINDA LET IT GO! Love ya!

Jun 10, 2015 04:43 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I'm not bothered by "all caps."  Especially when it's from a grandkid saying, "NANA, I LOVE YOU!"

Jun 10, 2015 05:32 AM
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I'm in your camp Belinda Spillman , etiquette is etiquette and good etiquette is best. That being said I only have one friend who uses all caps and she said she has to or she can not read it (Scares me to think this is her excuse and yet she drives every day). It's to bad we can not "highlight" all caps like you highlight bold or underlined or what ever and change it to lower case.

Jun 10, 2015 05:38 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

I would offer a "helpful tip" about e-mail.  If a client isn't very computer literate, I'd say something like, "in the world of real estate I've noticed that others have been criticized for typing in all caps as it's understood to be yelling."  That way, it takes the monkey off  your back and you could say, "I know you didn't mean to yell at me, but others will take it that way."  

Jun 10, 2015 06:20 AM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

I take it that way too... as them yelling at me.  I must say I agree with Dick... wait till closing then say something

Jun 10, 2015 08:03 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

All caps is definitely rude.  I would take it the same way, and have taken it the same way.  

Jun 10, 2015 09:50 AM
Noah Seidenberg
Coldwell Banker - Evanston, IL
Chicagoland and Suburbs (800) 858-7917

Belinda, I think anyone should be able to figure this out. Would you type a letter on all caps? Even a note to remind a loved one on the fridge? A birthday card? I don't think so. It really is rude.

Jun 10, 2015 01:08 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

HOW RUDE!  I CAN'T BELIEVE SOMEONE SENT YOU AN E-MAIL USING ALL CAPS!  NAMES, I WANT NAMES.....they must be punished!

Jun 10, 2015 11:22 PM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

Thanks Roger D. Mucci .  I knew you would get it!

Jun 11, 2015 02:05 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I've had the experience of people not knowing they're yelling at all and I don't take it personally whatsoever.

Jun 11, 2015 02:53 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Roger gets most things on here I find, you know? I would think that most of you will agree.

Jun 11, 2015 02:55 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Take a deep breath and suck it up ... that is what I would do.

Jun 12, 2015 02:05 AM