Meeting Friend's Expectations

Do you have friends who expect you to respond to their e-mails in seconds? Or how about being available at all times for IM chats? Then, when you explain why you didn't respond or were not available to chat -- hurt feelings come into play.

Why feel bad or become embarrassed simply because one had incorrect expectations of someone else's time? Why not just apologize or say "I understand" and move on without getting upset?

Yes, E-mail Etiquette dictates that you respond promptly to your incoming e-mails. However, practically that isn't always possible. We all need to understand that we cannot have expectations of what other's should do or when they should be available for us.

E-mail may be virtually instantaneous, but people are not. You know, there is this entire other off-line world filled with responsibilities and activities that take folks away from their monitors every once and awhile!

If your friend's expectations are out of line with your life. That is not your fault. All too often now-a-days folks only think of themselves and not the other person (you) on the other side of the screen. So let them know in a kind and gentle tone that they are important but that you simply cannot be available at all times.

It's nothing to be mad, embarrassed or upset about. Understanding what our friend's lives entail, not just what we need at any given moment, is part of being a good friend.