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Overused phrases in emails at the beginning of the week.

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Anonymous

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Overused phrases in emails at the beginning of the week. Every week, my boss and another associate begin their emails with ... "Hope the weekend was good" or "Happy Monday".. nice gesture, but I find it overused if you are saying the same phrase every week - it appears insincere. Is it necessary to begin an email with these same phrases every Monday? Maybe my pet peeve!. I will typically start my email with "Good Morning" and end with Enjoy the day! and when I speak with them.. I will ask... "How was the weekend" Looking for your input. Thank you!

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  1. Anonymous

    If this is the biggest problem you're facing in the workplace, put this in the win column and move onto something that really matters. Take these people at face value, that they're trying to be nice and have positive exchanges with their subordinates. You've got bigger fish to fry than this...nothing to see here.

  2. Anonymous

    You are correct in that they are trying to be nice....and I have bigger fish to fry... I just know it is not genuine and "just words" - Thank you!

  3. Anonymous

    I would love to have a boss who sends a weekly email, no matter the salutation! My last boss only sent emails sporadically, mainly just funneling information from above, or criticizing me in terms that made it obvious she was creating documentation to set me up to be fired. (Which happened)

  4. Anonymous

    Thank you for your input - makes sense.

  5. Shenelle S. LaPierre

    Definitely sounds like a pet peeve as we don’t always get the opportunity to speak directly with everyone we email. I would take positive greetings any day over dry or direct requests.

  6. Anonymous

    Thank you !

  7. Anonymous

    Wow really?

  8. Anonymous

    Right?

  9. Anonymous

    A lot of the time people absorb the email conventions of those around them. Maybe you can switch it up a bit past the small talk greetings and see how others respond/react.

  10. Anonymous

    This is your pet peeve? Seriously? Why do/would you care how other people start their emails?

  11. Heather Macone

    Everyone has something that drives them batty - I say kudos to getting it off of your chest OP! If this isn't a safe space for these kinds of things, where is?

  12. Jason Lee

    That is why it's a pet peeve, by definition. Everyone has them.

  13. Anonymous

    My input is gently meant but the same as I have given to mentees who have been caught on things like this. And that is... You are focusing on the wrong thing.

    Not to put too fine a point on it, but "Good morning" and "Enjoy your day!" are just as overused. Overused phrases may also be (and often are) sincerely meant. Just as you mean the words that you use. Politeness is the grease of society and business. Transitions to a topic are a communication technique that helps the reader draw a line between other things and the topic that follows. It makes us human and relatable.

    Ask yourself: why is this so significant to you? This may not be the case for you, but mentees I've worked with sometimes see observations like this as a confirmation of their own readiness for greater things. I've encouraged them to change their focus and mature their thinking.

    The "pet" part of pet peeve is the inclination to nurture and hold on to something that you don't necessarily need but makes you feel good to have around. Is there something about this situation that makes you feel "better than" by trotting it out? Why is something so innocuous that important to you that you nurture it as an annoyance and then broadcast it?

    We all want to think we are more evolved and valuable than the next person but focusing on things like this appears the opposite way to those who can elevate us to new roles and responsibilities. It's human nature to notice patterns and be irritated by them, but it's also within our power to get past them because they are not germane to the work being done.

    You clearly have more and better input to offer.

    Let it go and focus on what is inclusive, what meets objectives, and what advances you and your employer. Those are the things that will get you noticed.

    Good luck!

  14. Anonymous

    Thank you for your perspective... makes alot of sense and I need to let it go. If you knew the personalities, it is just "words" and not a genuine sentiment -in one on one conversations - it is all about "them" and truly arent interested in what I did for the weekend. But I agree with you, this should not be my focus - in the grand scheme of things, this is minimal! Guess I needed to vent!. Appreciate your input!

  15. Ladyboss367393

    You’re much more gracious than I am. Well said.

  16. Kristen Palmer

    I think I overly use phrases like this lol! I’m very genuine as I have a bubbly personality! Some ppl just can’t help it! It happens but if this is the biggest problem in your workplace, you’re winning!

  17. Anonymous

    I have been told I'm too direct. I learned to say good morning and ask about weekend or family. I do care about others but it was not clear. I've learned to write the content of a communication and then go back and make sure I have included the social niceties. Maybe I use the same ones often.

  18. Anonymous

    You are ME! YAY. Yeah, as a general rule, I don’t much care about how anyone’s weekend was. If I knew something special was happening, I might ask about it the following week, but asking how their Saturday pool date with the kids was, meh. Does that mean I don’t care about people? Nope. Just means I’m at work, I’m polite and getting the work done. I say good morning, and bye at the end of the day. A few years ago when a boss told me “you’re not friendly enough” I asked what he meant and I got the you are too direct speech. I then looked him straight in the eye and asked if he would ever tell a man that they were too direct and not friendly. Well……. Was the response.

  19. Anonymous

    I feel your pain. I hated starting emails with little “pleasantries” so defaulted to “hope all is well.”

    Cue the pandemic. I stopped using “hope all is well” also and just say good morning.

    Email is to relay info. Unless I have a relationship where I’ve interacted with the person multiple times and feel comfortable adding personal pleasantness because I know them- I just stick to the point without any of that. When I see them in emails they don’t make my day or anything, I look for the point in the email where I need action or to reply. I’m an introvert and small talk (even in emails) exhausts me.

  20. Anonymous

    Glad you understand where I am coming from....
    my intuition is that with certain people... it is just "words" not genuine....Small talk on emails exhausts me as well...If I want to small talk, I will call the person to chat. Thank you for your input!

  21. Anonymous

    Let it go.

  22. Anonymous

    I add the niceties upfront because I KNOW I am direct both in person and in email communications. I agree that emails are meant to relay information but so much work is done with email where the social aspect becomes important.

    I now add information or text to make it sound like a short conversation. While I tire for the short banter at the start of business conversations, they’re key in establishing relationships and being poised as both a technical expert and liaison to people. I will add things like How was your weekend? Great weather here etc….I don’t always use the same text and try to change it up from time to time. It’s also a good way to gauge who responds to see the people that care about this vs those that don’t. More room to be our authentic selves :)

    My focus is to stay working from

    home and these types of social niceties are a good way to show why working from home still functions because people can still establish lasting professional and personal relationships.

  23. Anonymous

    As someone who has been accused of being “rude” for getting right to the point in my emails, I add those kinds of things to deflect that label. I do understand how it could become a peeve, though. I suggest you over look that text and move to the important details.

    I have several close colleagues who feel the same way we do, and I know I can send them emails that include only the necessary info without fear of being perceived as rude. If there are colleagues you can share this with, perhaps that would help cut down on the annoyance.

  24. Valerie Rieger

    I am a firm believer in saying what I mean, so when I say "I hope that all is well" I truly mean that I hope that all is well, same as all the other pleasantries.

    I don't get too bent out of shape if people begin their emails with a pleasantry or not. In a world so overwhelmed with bad news, gloom, and doom - it's kind of nice to see someone trying to be kind.

  25. Barbara Robinson

    I hope readers will always say nice gestures words Repeatedly,, and as often.

    It is good.

    Of course,, Good phrases / Nice gestures sent are RELATIVE to people emotions, situation, and their pyche on the receiving end.

    So, if the pandemic puts you in a bad situation and some email or greeting states " I hope all is well" or Happy day" etc, - Your response is YOUR choice!- emotionally or psychologically.

    The same vice versa, if you are an overjoyed, or feel satisfied person in life, you are more likely to enjoy and welcome nice common words gestures, as often they come.

    Have a nice day!

  26. Deborah O'Neill

    But umm for that matter, is ‘good morning’ or ‘hello’ overused? It’s a greeting, a nice gesture. Why the need to come up with new phrases or just go hum good morning & hello? I don’t see a problem with using friendly greetings. I think we need more. And most people want to send a little extra. I think that’s a good thing.

  27. Ladyboss367393

    This feels so petty. I think you need more to do.

  28. Bretley Danner

    Petty might be a bit harsh, this site isn’t about saving lives., or solving world peace. She is just starting a conversation about work, and what bugs her.

  29. Anonymous

    Just "leading with honesty". :P I don't think my comment is harsh, I think it is very honest and to delve deeper in my honest feedback for this person, this is the type of attitude that would hold someone back in their career. Focus on things that matter, real problems. Bring value.

  30. Anonymous

    When I say, Happy Monday!..... That's a sarcastic tone behind it. Ha ha!

    Let's get more in depth with this. I absolutely hate weather conversations. It's small talk. Yes, it was cold today and warm yesterday.

  31. Diane Feirman

    Sounds like you overuse "Good Morning" and "Enjoy the Day" but seem to think it's okay since you do it. Get over yourself and stop being petty with people just trying to be friendly.

  32. Bretley Danner

    And, again , this site isn’t about saving lives or world peace… Get over yourself could be used to respond to your response as well. It’s a simple conversation about what bugs her… Your nasty response, and your upvotes from

    harsh people are what’s petty

  33. Anonymous

    Wow are you like this with your coworkers? You sound like a really fun person to work with.

  34. Bretley Danner

    Yes, I lead with honesty, but not nastiness… Mature people usually appreciate that, and not the ones to post nasty comments anonymously

  35. Momma Goddess

    Sometimes I mention the day of the week in the body of my email ("good morning and happy Wednesday"; "enjoy your Thursday") to semi-subtly let the reader(s) know when (what day of the week) I sent it.

  36. Bretley Danner

    Ya, I don’t mind a nice gesture at all… But, I bet the weekly emails are full of a bunch of useless information that has already been discussed, that doesn’t matter, and or is about people in the company high up that have nothing to do with you. It sounds like you work for a corporation. Corporations spend lots of money on useless things trying to look “good”, and lots of useless emails talking about it….

  37. Anna C Adams

    In some cultures, jumping right into a conversation, in person or in email, without a greeting is considered very rude.

    One email lesson is that we should keep the greeting and sign off neutral. We might type 'good morning' but the recipient might not read it until the evening, at which point the greeting has lost it's relevance. Same goes with 'Happy Monday,' or 'Happy Friday.'

    It's just a pet peeve, right? No real harm. People are going to start emails however they want. You can skip right over that part if you like!

    Every Monday is a new Monday!

  38. Jason Lee

    This is an interesting one.
    Although it's not quite at the level of a 'pet peeve' for me personally, I do understand the author's point of view and agree the pleasantries can be mildly annoying at times.
    And it's a topic rarely ever brought up. 

    It is my personal opinion that pleasantries should be kept short and simple unless it's actually sincere. That being said, we should not feel obligated to reciprocate such pleasantries in a likewise manner if it's clearly insincere and becoming "script-like", rather just keeping ours short and courteous. Perhaps it will eventually get the point across that the excessive pleasantry is not needed.

  39. Sara Shapiro-Plevan

    I am really aware that the "how are you" is so canned--someone, near the beginning of the pandemic, asked me "how is today treating you?" which is a temperature check for TODAY and lets the person you're with know how you really are. You can still answer either with a pat answer or for real, but it's a little bit less canned.

  40. Elizabeth L Langley

    Why not just ask "what's up b!#@#" instead of using the manners your Mother taught you?
    Geez. I am 63 and have often been described by coworkers as friendly, professional, and positive. I think I'll stick with what has been appreciated all of my career. Good luck out there.

  41. EMILY KIKUE FRANK

    I'm unclear how "good morning" is less contrived than "hope you had a good weekend."

  42. Arlene Frances Gottardo (Bryak)

    This would not bother me, I’d skip the greeting and go right to the meat of the message…

  43. Rosemaryac

    I feel that this is a personal preference. I was once advised not to to "get straight down to business" because it comes across as rude, or at least unfriendly, and that's a good point. It allows the recipient to ease into the request or comment or whatever; it might even alleviate stress. There's not really a one size fits all approach to this, though. Do what's comfortable for you and others will do what's comfortable for them.

  44. Anonymous

    I think the sincerity is in the gesture of inquiring or saying something friendly. It might get stale, but that's not the same thing as insincere.

  45. Audrey Kirsch

    I have the opposite problem. I often jump in to the core of the business at hand and have to stop myself to add a Hi or other pleasant greeting. I'd prefer just to get the business taken care of but know that it comes off as cold or rude so I make the effort. I find it amusing when I see lengthy chat in emails that you can tell are obvious parts of a template where they only have fill in the business info.

  46. Laura Ann Klein

    This is me, I just jump to the chase, no hello, good morning, eff you...nothing LOL I have to remember to add the greeting

  47. Anonymous

    Same here.. see the job, do the job - I see too much blabbering on emails and the task is not accomplished

  48. Anonymous

    Glad to see you are on the same page. If it has been a while speaking to someone I will add a pleasant greeting...

  49. Rosa Goes

    Same here, I jump in with no greeting. Then I realize it and say 'by the way good morning'...

  50. Audrey Kirsch

    I might try that for a change. I think it would make my long time clients smile.

  51. tiffany birch

    For me, when I begin my work day with a greeting to the person I'd like to begin a relationship with, either new, or courting, it makes me feel good, and I think the other person may feel that.

  52. madeline

    I disagree, those are not the same Phrases and yours are the same phrases, every day?
    Not sure what you trying to say here. Be glad you have a boss who wants to reach out every day to say hi and maybe start your day with a little smile. Yes, I think it's you. Sorry, Madeline

  53. MidwestMaven456

    Don't dismiss it as trite or tiresome. Someone is trying to show respect and be courteous of you and the others in your group. Those that disregard the simple pleasantries are considered rude or socially inept. Good manners are the oil that makes society function smoothly.

  54. Karen Gongaware

    I never diss a positive greeting. Ever think that your own "typical" greeting might be a peeve or theirs or seen as insincere? Take the kindness in the manner it was meant to be and be kind back.

  55. Melissa Monson

    I 100% hear you. I am guilty of this too, but I feel rude or impolite to not say anything like that before jumping into business. Although, Happy and Monday in the same sentence? No!!!!

  56. Anonymous

    The hair goes up on the back of my neck when I receive those emails. Had a manager who would always start her scathing emails with a friendly "Good Morning (my name). Just say "Hello".

  57. Sabrina Cortes

    I have an online business and email is the main form of communication with my clients. Pleasantries come easy to me and are what I'd say in a phone call, except it's in an email. I think that my clients sense and appreciate my genuine nature that comes through.

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