Long ago, when we still used snail mail, the lyrics went like this ” and seal with a kiss” (w/ lipstick marks).
That’s analog. Now it’s digital. How are we going to add that something special? smiley for non-verbal?
Communication has been intrusive and impersonal if not dehumanizing.
No way around this. We sign off with “Best Regards” etc… but it’s there BEFORE we compose the e mail.
So, respectfully speaking, I don’t think we meant “Best Regards” to the recipient (s) at all.
Comes in-mail, designed to cut through the chase.
No heading, no closing. Voila. Chat without waiting for a reply.
No feedback. Just telegram format. Period.
We have traversed a long way since Marconi e.g. telegraph, telegram, telephone, television, beeper, skypager, voicemail, dictaphone, email, text, chat, in-mail, instagram and Likes.
None of the above allows for “seal with a kiss”.
Lovers send each other chocolate, flowers and letters.
Business people, gifts and hopefully, Thank-You cards (Go Hallmarks).
But lately, we are at a loss. Etiquette in the time of E-mail.
Best business communication is brief, to the point and respectful (of recipient’s time and intelligence).
So, while I rail like Andy Rooney about “two-prong plugs in a three-prong society”, I challenge you to still “seal with a smile”. That unseen smile is for you as much as it is for them. It’s a joy to think of someone and spend time sending a short note, albeit in-mail. Might as well “pour your heart into it” like they say at Starbucks. (Smile:))
Thang Nguyen 555 