I know I'm being curmudgeonly, but I wish people would stop sending emails just to thank me for doing my job. I'm sure to them it seems like it would be rude not to, but it's just one more thing I have to delete!

I wish people would stop sending emails just to thank me for doing my job

And here we have the difference between the private sector and the public. Because I almost never get thanked for anything--certainly very rarely by anyone in management above me.

Widgets, is what we are. We should consider ourselves lucky to be in public service!

There was a whole article in the Times this weekend about people who get annoyed by Thank You emails. Different cultures. [link]

And here we have the difference between the private sector and the public.

Actually IME, the split is UK/US. Americans never send thank-you emails unless it's for something above and beyond. Brits send thank-you notes for everything.

Aww, Tep, you can refer stuff to your Mom. Sounds like she's being helpful and non-bossy and I'm sure she'd be willing to take some of the details off your plate.

Smartass replies to bothersome questions are always a good policy. So feel free to tell people your color scheme is based on the Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

Chatty deleted the files?! That was not very Mod of him.

I've never worked in a private sector that has frequent thank you emails. Or I don't do stuff worth being thanked for--always a possible explanation.

Why is leaving voicemail ruder than not having visual voicemail? Take ownership of the issue, and don't mandate which of the media you offer that other people must use to communicate with you. If you don't want people to leave you voicemails, DON'T HAVE VOICEMAIL. It's not like that article is saying there are useful voicemails for the objectors.

Aww, Tep, you can refer stuff to your Mom. Sounds like she's being helpful and non-bossy and I'm sure she'd be willing to take some of the details off your plate.

She's actually the one bombarding me with e-mails asking me things. And I totally appreciate her help, but Monday morning after the time change when blowing my nose is an exercise in gore is NOT the best time to hit me with a spreadsheet's worth of questions. I have a job, AND SO DOES SHE.

(Notwithstanding that I have time to bitch here.)

Chatty deleted the files?! That was not very Mod of him.

Not on purpose, but still. I'm having a case of the Mondays. The Nose Cancer Stop Losing Files Stop Asking Wedding Questions Mondays.

Ok, then, Tep. (adds "wedding planner" to resume.)

And I totally appreciate her help, but Monday morning after the time change when blowing my nose is an exercise in gore is NOT the best time to hit me with a spreadsheet's worth of questions. I have a job, AND SO DOES SHE.

Cut and paste: "Hey mom, I'm slammed at work and bleeding to death, so I won't be able to get on this for a couple days. Right after I murder my co-worker and stab my boss in the face with a spork. Cheers ever so, your delightful daughter."

I have a boss who recently was apparently peeved enough to go to everyone's managers because she wasn't getting enough emails. Apparently she wanted "thanks!" And "I'll get right on that!" Etc.