The language of the net
Communicating via e-mails requires some good manners. They are referred to as Netiquette.
The word Netiquette comes from the English word net and the French word étiquette (good manners). It is a set of rules that regulates the behaviour of Internet users especiallly in terms of their relationship with other users through all communication tools, including e-mail.
Netiquette a law, but is based on a common shared agreement. From a legal point of view netiquette is often cited in Internet access licensing agreements.
The failure to respect Netiquette brings general disapproval by other Net users, and is often followed by the confinement of the "rude" user. Sometimes the request to suspend some of the services used to carry out actions against netiquette is made (for example, suspension of email service).
Here are some general rules of email netiquette :
- Always write a clear and specific topic for the message (subject)
- Read a message at least 3 times before you send it. Make sure it is clear and not offensive and as short as possible because reading from the monitor is harder than reading on paper.
- Consider how the recipient may react to your message: put off sending the message if you are angry.
- Check the grammar and orthography of the message you are about to send
- Don’t send spam, e.g. advertisements to people who haven’t asked you to
- Don’t send a whole message WRITTEN IN CAPITALS because it means you’re SHOUTING!!
- Don’t send chain messages; they’re annoying for those who receive them
- Don’t use e-mail for illegal or non ethical purposes
- Don’t send private messages from a business e-mail account(monitoring systems may exist)
- Should you have any doubts about sending an email, "sleep on it" and read it the following day
The golden rule of e-mailing is ..don’t send others what you would find annoying to receive.
When writing an email you have to pay careful attention to sarcasm and humour because the recipient can neither see your expression or hear the tone of your voice. Thus, wit can be misunderstood.
When needed you can use “Emoticons” (combination of the words “Emotion” and “Icon” = icons that transfer emotions).
It’s better to avoid using them too often. In an e-mail message you can use up to 2-3 emoticons, but no more. These "icons" made up of characters and can be read by tilting your head to the left.
Some examples of Emoticon:
:-) |
happiness |
:) |
happiness |
:-)))) |
extremely happy |
:-( |
sadness |
:( |
sadness |
:-(((( |
very sad |
;-) |
wink, joke |
:-D |
laugh |
:-P |
disgust/sticking ot tongue |
:-pPpP |
raspberry |
:-/ |
doubt/disappointment/disapproval |
:-\ |
doubt/disappointment/disapproval |
:-| |
indifference/no comment/disapproval |
:-[ |
depression |
:-? |
don’t understand |
:-o |
surprised |
:-O |
very surprised |
:-x |
lips sealed |
:-* |
kiss |
:* |
kiss |
>:-| |
anger |
O:-) |
angelic expression/halo |
:" ( |
crying |
:-9 |
make your mouth water/eccitazione |
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