Is E-mail Etiquette a Choice?

To that I say a resounding "NO"! There are certain things in life one must embrace and skills one must acquire to participate in a socially acceptable manner. E-mail etiquette is one of those things. E-mail etiquette takes very little effort to learn about and apply, but still so many simply refuse to embrace the knowledge to do so which takes minimal effort to acquire. Why is that?

I get e-mailed daily by folks who are frustrated because friends, family and associates refuse to take e-mail etiquette seriously and continue on with their lack of courtesy by disregarding it's existence entirely. They will be perceived accordingly. You just cannot disregard established practices and courtesies and not expect to be perceived negatively.

To ignore e-mail etiquette because you don't want to "deal with it" or think it isn't necessary is a mistake you may learn to regret. Disregarding the importance of courtesy and established guidelines will cause you to be viewed as rude or uneducated and a "fish out of water" when online. And wouldn't that be a shame when with minimal effort and consideration it can be avoided?

E-mail etiquette has been in existence before most were even aware that e-mail existed let alone the World Wide Web. (Reference the first RFC on the subject from 10/1995.) Don't you think it to be a bit arrogant to think that one can disregard these established protocols and courtesies simply because they want to?

No one should negate making the effort to acquire the necessary skills and information to participate in technology responsibly with knowledge, understanding or courtesy. To think that e-mail etiquette is issue to be ignored or to disregard will simply reflect on the kind of person you choose to be.