Don't Overreact Based on Assumptions

I get e-mailed for advice by onliners who go to my site, click on my contact link, fill out my form and ask me questions. I don't make them go to my site, click on the link and ask their questions. They do so because, I believe they are looking for answers to their questions.

Several times each week, onliners, don't like my comments and/or answers. The get defensive, accusatory and make assumptions about me that have nothing to do with the topic at hand. This week has been a doozey in that regard. Is it a full moon?

One e-mailer asked about how to setup a certain way of e-mailing inquiry/marketing e-mails. They mentioned a company whose site they would use to garner information about other companies.

First off, their inquiry wasn't about E-mail Etiquette -- the topic of my site. It was about server functionality in regard to handling e-mails. Even though the question was not on topic, I took time to offer my suggestions. Including, that they "may" be spamming if the leads they mentioned were not from people who specifically asked for their information.

That's when everything fell apart! How dare I assume they were spammers!? Why am I not familiar with the company they mentioned! How can I sleep at night!?

How can I sleep at night???? <sheesh>

I didn't assume -- I simply stressed a concern based on the information provided. Am I to know the Terms of Service for every single company online or on the planet? Who is assuming here? And I don't appreciate being replied to in a condescending manner because I simply tried to offer advice based on the content of an inquiry. As far as sleeping at night -- I have no problem there thank you very much!

As I always do, I tried to kindly smooth things over. No go. An overreaction of this magnitude was not normal nor based on anything I actually typed. Assumptions were flying everywhere with me being accused of using adjectives I did not.

Make sure your e-mails are clear and don't assume the other side knows what you know. Also, don't read into a reply was simply isn't there. To turn to insults and innuendo because you were not clear, you assumed or because you may not like the advice given simply will reflect on your lack of professionalism and integrity.