email etiquette

Sex

10 Percent of People Would Check Texts During Sex — Would You?

Although I've admitted to keeping my iPhone on me at all times, I'm a little surprised at these numbers: a recent study says that almost 10 percent of people on average are OK with interrupting sex to check electronic messages.

Although I've admitted to keeping my iPhone on me at all times, I'm a little surprised at these numbers: a recent study says that almost 10 percent of people on average are OK with interrupting sex to check electronic messages. Unbelievable? Well, that number climbs even higher for those of you under the age of 25. But it doesn't stop there — nearly 50 percent of people 25 or younger are OK with dinner-time interruptions, while nearly a quarter of study participants would check messages while in the restroom. I have a problem with people whipping out their phones to check emails and messages while at the table, so this goes way beyond my boundaries of text etiquette for me.

Could this indicate that as a society we are addicted to staying "connected" . . . or is it really telling us that we're just not that good in bed? Either way, tell me — would you interrupt sex to check a message?

email

Do You Use an Email Signature? What Does It Say?

This morning I was making plans with friends via email, and after reading through our short exchange, I realized I was the only one not to include an email signature.

This morning I was making plans with friends via email, and after reading through our short exchange, I realized I was the only one not to include an email signature. At work, I use a signature that includes my name, title, and email address. I don't include one in my personal email at all (which according to this post on decoding email signatures, makes me cool). Conversely, one of my friends has a super-thorough email signature including full contact information — address, phone number, email — plus her Twitter username, instant message contact information, and link to her Flickr page.

Do you use a signature on your work emails? Personal emails? What does it say?

email

Email Etiquette: Six Things to Keep in Mind Before Clicking "Send"

We've all been there.

We've all been there. You write the email (either to a friend, family member, or co-worker), pause for a quick second, then hit send. Afterwards, you go back to your sent folder, and re-read emails that you may have worded wrong. Will she think I'm being too vague? Will he take offense to that last sentence? OMG, I can't believe I just said that! Well in February's issue of O Magazine, Mirabai Bush, a senior fellow at the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society, tackled this very topic and suggests incorporating the following steps into your daily email routine:

  • Compose your e-mail.
  • Stop. Take one long, deep breath, counting to five on the inhale and again on the exhale.
  • Think of who you're sending your message to, and of how you want him or her to receive it. Could this person misunderstand and become angry or offended? Or think that you are being more positive than you intend?
  • Look at the e-mail again.
  • Change it if appropriate.
  • Send.